Forgive me for being a newbee to computers and this web site. Nice to see I’m not alone out there with my diesel car.

Vehicle is a 1970 220D 4-speed 200,00 mi., with the AM/FM radio and the passenger door mirror as the only factory options. My pioneer trucker grandfather was the first owner, and bought “daBenz” for a retirement toy. I've owned it since 1990, and have been around diesels since birth.

Tried to post to the algae thread (what is a thread?) but it wouldn’t go. Following is what I wanted to say:

daBenz was last run in August 2000 from home in eastern ND to Seattle and back. Burned 1.5 qt oil and averaged 36 mpg. Before Seattle trip it was last run in 1998, and will be run again this year when I want it to, just like the farmers around here who store their tractors all winter. Diesels aren’t hard, just different fuels need different procedures.

Tank wash: Don't bother. Run the tank down, then drain remainder from bottom plug hole. Jack the corner(s) of car to tip tank if needed (a 6 inch level at plug hole tells you which corner). Use correct wrench and lots of “loosen it” if the plug hasn’t been out in a while.

My normal diesel fuel procedure:
#1: Use quality fresh fuel. Truckers don't have algae problems because their suppliers are always filling THEIR tanks. Two cents per gallon gets better mileage and reduces maintenance costs.

#2: Treat the fuel at each fueling like smart truckers. One type for storage or old fuel, another for fresh.

#3: Use a mechanical water separator. Algae needs water to breathe like we need air and algae is always present in diesel. Watch for freezing. Truckers use separators with electric heaters, but they're big and expensive. Magnetic gizmos are gizmos.

#4: Change fuel filters regularly. Once a year for 10,000 mi/yr average drivers using good fuel. Two or three times a year for junk fuel (which is why boaters have problems). I use a washable (OEM) prefilter and just reverse flush it with clean fuel.

#5: Keep spare filters in trunk, just in case.

I'll wander out to the shed in the next few weeks to get part numbers for the water separator and main fuel filter (either NAPA or Baldwin if I remember right) and look at the chemical treatment jugs for brand and type.

Hope this wasn't too wordy,
daBenz.

which will last forever in your hands. The diesel fuel tips are also quite good. Come back often!

Welcome!

This is a great board indeed. Maybe you should post some pictures of your diesel?

__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Photo taken @ continental divide, US#2 in Montana, early in morning with regular camera. Original Signal Red color, doesn't show up too well in shade. This is the best I can do so far. These new computers are confusing.

daBenz

Attached Thumbnails

 

Welcome to the forum! You will find anything and everything you need at this site. Use the 'SEARCH' feature! Fastlane will have all the routine maintanance parts you should need and more; use them, they're fantastic. Every one here wants to help and guide you in maintaining your Benz.

__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

Ahh I love that! A nice W114 w/ the bumpers that were meant to be on them

Does the badge say 220 DIESEL?

I saw one the other day and I thought it was such a beautiful car, it looked so simple and its paint was shiny!! These cars turn my head more than a new Porsche.. :p Oh well, most of my friends will never understand me...

BTW, a digital camera is really useful IMO. Just a thought
I can't believe that the car's 32 yrs old. When you mentioned the 220D, I thought it was the body style before W114. I gotta brush up on the History...

Fastlane's awesome.. they ship fast! That's the best thing about 'em...

BTW, what brand are those white wall tires?

__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Yes, the rear tag says 220 Diesel. Don't know why that and not 220D. Must have been a marketing thing.

BTW = by the way
IMO = ??? (I'm new to computers)

Tires are Michelin, the best automobile tire for normal speeds. My Japanese motorcycle has Continentals, the best motorcycle tire for anything. Go figure. BTW, thought about turning the white walls in but they're well balanced so I'll wait until I wear them out in 10 years or so. Were new in 1980.

Time to do taxes (the old fashioned way). Goodnight.

daBenz

I probably shouldn't use IMO too much.. It seems that only I know what it stands for.. :p my friends don't understand either. IMO = In My Opinion..

Is the Signal Red paint original? Think the "modest" mirror-and-radio options are one reason cars like this can be found after several decades. The ones with excessive numbers of gadgets (which wear out and become nuisances) are the ones people lose interest in and let run down. Also think these cars and the later W123 look best with wheel covers, not alloys.

Have also been interested in Packards (and owned one) since the late '70s. There's a remarkable similarity between the two makes...engineering was always conservative, yet highly refined, and the body styles were always in conservative good taste that after decades, still doesn't look "funny." And the very simple and very refined quality was reinforced by the fact that these cars were ferociously overbuilt. There were also many style points - like the shape of the radiator grille - which both Packard and MB kept for decades.

These diesels really thrive on long road trips, so the High Plains would seem a good environment for yours.

BEST of luck!

You folks got me curious, so I pulled the file with the original invoices and window sticker.

From the window sticker - undated:
a. Qty 1 Mercedes-Benz 220 D Sedan serial number 115110-10-115720

b. Imported to port of Baltimore then Chicago warehouse, delivered to Northand Volkswagen in Marquette, MI.

c. Standard Equipment: Diesel fuel injection system, pwr brake system with 4 wheel disc brakes, fully reclining front bucket seats, electric windshield wipers, steering lock, electric clock, plasticized undercoating, black MB Tex interior, manual trans 4 speed flor shift.

d. Options: $162.00 Becker Europa AM-FM radio, $11.00 rear bumper guard, $72.00 tinted glass, $29.00 whitewall tubeless tires.

e. $113.00 shipping and delivery, $77.00 inland transportation & handling, for a total suggusted retail price of $5531.00

From the invoices (Delta Import Motors of La Crosse, WI) - dated 13 and 14 July 1970:
a. $5606.00 cash delivered price, $1100.00 trade-in on a 1966 VW 311 2dr Fastback, 4% sales tax, $1.00 license fee, for a total of $4,686.24 to the customer.

So...
1. Wish I had that Fastback, too.
2. I don't have a very good memory; the "optional" passenger door mirror wasn't mentioned.
3. Maybe I'll just keep the whitewalls.
4. Yes, the paint is original, from previous post question.
5. Must be a W115 body.

Now my questions:
1. How do I log in? Currently I have to pretend to edit my profile to be able to post a reply. Call me computer stupid.
2. Do the Service CDs have part numbers? My current drill is to take my old catalog to dealer, dealer pulls microfiche to confirm, dealer then crosses over to new part number on computer.
3. Is it unethical to sell some air conditioning parts here? Was going to put it in from parts car and I can't get tempted again if the stuff isn't here anymore.

Thanks,
daBenz

Dabenz,if you mean to login in to the forum go to the very bottom of the forum page.Here you will see a little box that says appropriately enough login,well type your user name in,then in the next box your password.Then lo and behold you will have arrived TA DA!!!!!
Anyhow welcome aboard.Bear

__________________
W123 '82 300D red 202,000 miles

G460 '83 280 GE LWB 69,000 miles

Mercedes-Benz Club member
http://www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk/

S Klasse Club Deutschland
http://www.s-klasse-club.de/

Bear,

Thank you. I'm not new to computers, just modern Windows and the internet. Started programming in the 1970's, quit updating about 1992 when the junk Windows platform began dominating the market. I have a lot of catching up to do; i.e. a directory is now called a folder.

By the way, the last time I was in London (1991) there was a barbershop there that claimed to be the oldest in London. Cost me about $60 US for a cut and shave. All done by hand. This Yank naval officer was treated like royalty (in American terms), including a mighty fine cigar after the cut and shave. That and the tanks at the entrance to Heathrow (sic?) Airport are my memories of London.

With regard to posting parts for sale on the site. No problem, just go to parts swap and fire away. Welcome aboard.

__________________
2008 GL320CDI 6K
1970 280SL 112K
1982 240D 210K (Sold)
1973 220D 220K (Sold)
1967 200D 160K (Sold)
1992 400E 139K (Sold)
1988 300E 148K (Sold)
1987 300D 257K (Sold)
1991 300E 108K (Sold)
1987 300E 131K (Sold)
1978 300D TMU (Sold)
1980 300D TMU (Sold)
MBCA Member

dabenz,

Your browser should be able to be set up to log in automatically when you arrive at the site by enabling cookies, I think. I use Netscape and Internet Explorer on a P.C. laptop, a Mac laptop and two Mac clones running OS 9.1. All of them log me in automatically.

My problem occurs when my son logs in under his name, and then I come along and fire up the site, and the program defaults to last user name logged in. I end up impersonating my son, unwittingly. He gets bent out of shape when his email box gets stuffed with Diesel forum response notes.

That car looks to be in great shape. My Mother had a 220D that went from her to my sister to my Father-in-law, who traded it in long after logging an estimated 250,000 miles (the odometer stopped working after about 175,000 miles) for a 240D with about 88,000 miles, which he still has today (he tows stuff up the Adirondak Northway with it and has driven it 100,000 miles).

I became a Diesel convert when the oil crisis hit in the early 70's. I found there was never a line at the Diesel pump, and the price of Diesel back then was so low you could fill up on about $3.

Welcome and good luck. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

CarolinaMBZ and JimSmith,

Thanks to both. Will put the AC stuff into the parts swap area.

Regarding the login, I have the cookie feature turned off. Don't yet trust the internet. For now, Bear's tip is the way to go for me.

Sent an e-mail question to parts_info and the reply was time-stamped at 10:00 pm on a Saturday night!!

Am quickly learning that this web site is a very usefull tool. Only real hard part now is using appropriate terms in the search area. I'm thinking (by looking at recent posts) that most everything has been covered. If I was a crackerjack programmer I'd figure out a way to put a topic table of contents similar to a service manual that would link to appropriate messages. Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead of the technology, too.