I have a 84 300TD with 253K. Engine seems to be strong but i think mileage is not up to snuff. Any suggestions on how to get the 25+ mpg on this baby.
What parts of the 15k service can I do myself. Can someone please give me the "proper" service schedule on this wonderful workhorse. I would like to put in another 200-300k on this marvelous machine. Synthetic or dino oil? When do I change the timing chain on this car? Lastly any ideas on where I can find a good mechanic (honest) in Orange County, Ca. Thank you and this forumw ROCKS!!!!! YOUR INPUTS ARE WELL APPRECIATED, GENTLEMEN.

asti 84,


Is this car new for you?
Have you done anything to it yet?

I bought one with 235 on it with detailed records but my general philosophy when getting a used old car is to change all the fluids and most changable items I can.

Heres what I did
Change out the injectors I figured one may go bad soon so why not have them all new
Change all the hoses and belts
Change all fluids (tranny, rear end, brake, power steareing, coolant)
Change the thermostat
New battery
New glow plugs and fuse
New tail lights and head lights
New brakes and shocks
air, and fuel filters
repair all vacuum leaks
replace all fuses with new ones
New speakers
New timing chain
New exaust
New radiator If not new remove it and pressure wash it clean
Inspect fuel lines around the gas tank


After all that I like to change all my fluids once per year Tranny, rear end and brake, change the oil 3000 to 5000 miles and you may have trouble out living your diesel.

Good luck

bob

I may be a bit excessive with my maintenance but I feel belts hoses glow plugs and fluids are a must for any old diesel.

Like Bob, the first thing I did was change all the fluids and filters. This way you have "base line" for future maintenance. For your fuel economy, use something like Diesel Purge to clean the injectors. Use a cetane booster like Power Serivce Diesel Kleen with every tank. You can find this at any Wlamart. Also a valve adjustment will help.
As for the never ending question about oil. If you do a search on "oil", you will find a bazillion posts on the subject. This subject had start many on line "wars". Without getting into another battle about oil, I will limited my remarks to $. When thinking of switching to a much more expensive oil, consider that your car requires 8 quarts (2 gallons) of oil. I stick with conventional 15W-40 and change it hot and often, every 3k, religously. Oil filters cost about $7 and the Chevron Delo oil (2 gal.) cost about $12. With synthetic oil that $19 oil change goes up to about $40.

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