I have been using this site for about six months gathering information, some before I purchased an '81 240D last September, and since then for research and knowledge. First, a big "thank you" for all the wonderful posts I have been reading.
I purchased the 240D from Bellingham, Wa and drove it back across the country to Bluffton, SC on the coast. Nothing surprised me mechanically about the car except how well it did crossing the Rockies. I think the highest point altitude wise was a tad over 8000' and it seemed to do fine. The ADA had been adjusted before I left the West Coast for the increasing heights and I did not increase it again until I had driven it quite a bit at sea level here at home.
It is a four speed, manual windows, white exterior with a mixed interior of original black but it has blue front seats to replace the original ones that needed some attention. Ditto with the floor mats. I fixed the radio antenna extension/retraction system, cleaned the fuel tank filter, fixed the fuel gauge transmitter in the tank, replaced rear shocks, drag links, installed new tires( I have never driven on four more sketchy tires than with what I departed cross country), did a diesel purge and replaced both fuel filters, new alternator belt, new door stop mechanisms. Got new keys made for about $3.00(yes three dollars) that are original MB blanks. Had the front door re-keyed to fit the trunk , fixed the dash lights by hot-wiring across the rheostat pole connectors(there was not even a rheostat installed), fixed the odometer, fixed the headliner tray, tightened the rear view mirrors so they stay where adjusted, removed transmission shift linkage and cleaned/greased and then replace the rubber washers on the linkage, installed a "reverse light" LED indicator by the gear selector because the Reverse lock out gate does not work. This serves a dual purpose as it really helps when I am pulling the boat out of the water to confirm that I am indeed headed up the ramp and not backwards. I installed a trailer hitch and wiring to enable towing my boat. Boat, motor and trailer total weight is less than 1,000# and the car handles them nicely. Two weeks ago I inspected and adjusted the valves, checked the timing chain slack and fuel pump timing. Couple of the valves were .001 or so out but nothing extraordinary. This appears to be a newer engine although I have not actually checked the numbers from the build sheet. It is just too nice and clean for the indicated mileage of 233,000. I am getting very pleasant mileage around town as 75% of my driving is less than 45 mph. Calculated mileage is 38, drops to 35 when I do trips at less than 60mph and a further drop to 27 when towing the boat at 55 or more. I have adjusted the ADA a few times to see if it is advantageous when towing to have more fuel flow. I can tell a difference but nothing to write home about. I do notice the slightest bit of smoke on startup when cold with the higher fuel flows but I generally back it off again when I am not towing. Probably need to do a de-carbonization of the glow plug holes. I had them removed to do the valve adjustment and had no problem with removal or installation. They are the pencil type. The vacuum system no longer operates anything except the fuel shut off valve. I have no intention of fixing it. The air conditioner and cruise control are installed but do not work and I will not fix them either. I inherited a higher ratio rear axle differential but decided against installation as it would not add anything I need to the car. Paint and body are in surprisingly good shape, no rust underneath but just a little under the door seals.
I bought this as I needed a short term solution for an additional car and have been very pleased with the purchase. Simple enough to piddle with if I feel like working on it but dependable enough that it really needs nothing other than fuel and regular oil changes. I have driven it about ten thousand miles since Sept. 2016 and 3500 of that was traversing the country to come home.
I know this story gets repeated regularly as new owners acquire older members of the fleet but that is part of the joy of ownership; sharing new/old news.
I look forward to suggestions and will try to get a picture resized to fit the board requirements.

Start fixing it or it will become a tired, old, ragged out cars. I run when the PO says "I really have only had to do brakes and oil".

That ALWAYS means that he is dumping the car because the postponed maintenance costs are adding up and ready to hit.

The PO of my current car fixed things 1/2 way. Installed 1 caliper, no brake hosed, no pads. One radiator hose and my thumb went through the other. The list goes on.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

What part of my post leads you to believe I am postponing required maintenance? Or that the PO deferred any required maintenance? I completed a thorough pre-sale inspection and the PO was open and honest about the systems status of those items that were inoperable. I was confident enough in my assessment and his integrity to drive the car across the USA with out any concerns and encountered no problems doing so. I appreciate your opinion but I think it is maybe not applicable to my experience or the status of my purchase.

Enjoy your new "mistress" ;-) Sounds like you have sorted out most of the little bugs.

(Mmm....S.Carolina without air conditioning. You are tougher than me Gunga Din.)

Yeah when I read that I cringed. No A/C in SC especially at the coast is torture.

It is bad enough when it is hot and sunny. But then when a thunderstorm comes up, you will have to roll up the windows and you will roast, or worse, fog up all the windows because you can't dehumidify the air.

I went a month with no a/c on my E300 late last spring (late April to early June) and that was awful. But I bit the bullet and did a complete system replacement, which is still working perfectly a year later.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

I grew up in the very Deep South with no AC in the home, schools, cars, etc. Spent twenty years of my career traveling in Central America. Thrived in South Florida with out AC. Hot and humid is no problem but I freeze to death when the temp drops below about 65 degrees. We all have our needs; AC in a thirty-five year old car is not one of mine.

Yep; we all suffer some from the pansy gene. My AC has had an unidentifiable freon leak for a while and I went through the entire summer in Atlanta with no AC. Know what - no big deal. And my dad was a lot tougher than I am.

Good luck with your 240D. Glad you were able to keep it on the road. Unlikely you will ever find a better quality vehicle than a 70-80's Mercedes.

"The vacuum system no longer operates anything except the fuel shut off valve. I have no intention of fixing it. "

I would recommend find all the leaks and fixing it, leaks are not good for the health of the vacuum pump.

Agree no AC is no big deal. 90% of my cars over the years had no AC. I do not like AC in the home either, prefer opening windows and using fans. Last year, I rebuilt the AC in my 85 300D for the experience of learning automotive AC, and to increase it's value, not because of suffering without it.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Aha, I had not thought of the effect, if any, on the vacuum pump. Will look into that aspect. Maybe blocking off all systems except the fuel shut off or an other solution. Probably one somewhere here on the forum. Thanks for the thought.

That's a lot of work to the old tank, sounds like this one has a new lease on life and should be around a lot longer. A fluids refresh will help a lot for longetivity too, if you haven't done so already. I actually like the visibility better in my 240d than my mazda cx-5, were it not for winter storage, I'd drive my '82 240d all the time..

Dedication driving across the diagonal of the U.S.A. in a vehical with naturally aspirated four cylinder diesel.

As for A/C, drove three summers in Phoenix without A/C. Since I wear thermals in the summer, sometimes get a little uncomfortable. Worst was driving in the winter in the Pacific Northwest with a Golden Retriever. Talk about fogged windows, had to have a rag in one hand.

My 280TE doesn't have A/C either, hasn't had for years according to the P.O., but being black blue with blue leather, not going to do that to the dogs.

Best of luck! [Root beer for me.]

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

It's not the end of the world.


I drove an Elise for two years. No AC in the NC summer, and a heater that barely works on those cars.

Not to mention they leak when it rains.


Wear the proper clothing, and you will be fine.

Nice way to get a low rust car for the east coast, especially if you have never done a drive cross-country and care to see the bulk of the country. Having read many books at my age, I would love to follow Lewis & Clark's trail or the Oregon wagon trains. Amazing mileage, so the fuel didn't cost you too much, and a good reason to invest in the car.

I drove a non-AC Chevy S-10 in Atlanta for 7 yrs. It was mainly tough just at long stop lights mid-day in August. But, repairing AC really isn't that hard. You can find deals on compressors on ebay in the winter. As long as it didn't have R-134A installed and sat long w/o pressure. The PAG oil absorbs moisture to cause internal corrosion. If the original mineral oil, the innards should be fine. You can replace all the rubber hoses yourself. I did on my two 300D's. Buy barrier hose on ebay and Oeticker stepless ear clamps. Cut the factory ferrule crimps off w a hacksaw and peel w/ pliers, then re-use the fittings.

__________________
1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

The trip from Bellingham to SC was just one of four complete traverses of the country in the previous 15 months. An adventure habit I started in 1971 and repeat regularly for no other reason than "I want to and I can". So I do. I usually camp or sleep in the car if circumstances warrant.
Thanks for the AC repair tips. Never done any AC work but it sounds doable. Will check and see what is installed but my guess is everything is original.