Too Reliable - Its scary... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ducati · #1 10-29-2002, 11:42 PM

What will eventually go wrong?
I have not had anything go wrong with my 250000 mile 83' 300D aside from a few minor electrical glitches and a broken air cleaner mount. I have maintained the car well, including yearly valve adjustments. However my inate sense of paranoia keeps me awake worrying about what else I can be doing to ward off catastrophic breakdown. I change all fluids regularily, but wonder what else I should do - perhaps there is a way to prolong the life of the injector pump, or something I should be doing with this mysterious thing called an ALDA? What the hell is an ALDA, anyway?
Its been two years and nothing of any real consequence has broken - its too good to be true. Something horrible has to happen soon.
I have a new job at a GM dealership. When I tell my new workmates about the uncanny reliability of my 20 year old MB, they accuse me of being full of...er...GM Visa points.

#2 10-30-2002, 03:54 AM

Mine has never left me stranded anywhere. The two times something failed that could have left me stranded in the 70,000 miles I've owned it (vacuum pump and the starter) happened 2 miles from home, and the other in my driveway. I can't really complain.

ajb · #3 10-30-2002, 05:47 AM

Hey Ducati,

Don't worry! I sometimes have those same thoughts- just listening for that "funny noise or new squeak". Perhaps it is a Canadian thing - eh?!

Aivars

Seriously, I'm amazed at the reliability of my 240d. Other than small issues, it is always running well!! (lets hope I'm not tempting the evil fickle finger of MB fate with this statement)

#4 10-30-2002, 07:27 AM

I remember when my first 240D hit 200,000 miles I started checking into engine rebuild costs. There was nothing wrong with it, I just thought it was time to check into it.

I had similar thoughts at 300,000 miles with my second 240D, but didn't have to do anything 'til 380,000 miles.

They just keep going until you start thinking that you must be abusing this car since I never work on it.

Just keep changing the oil and looking underneath to see what might be loose or falling off. If there is something falling off, get a good look at it so you'll know what to ask for when you go to the parts house.

Keep on Truckin',
Change oil hot and change oil often,

#5 10-30-2002, 02:07 PM

Tell you what, you can have some of my fun. Let me see, so far this year I replaced the engine, used. (NEVER AGAIN) and then then broke two cam followers. Then found the source of that and replaced all of the valve springs. Then the timing chains, on both of the old diesels.
Then this weekend I had the unmitigated thrill of installing a rebuilt transmission in the 81 300SD.
Now that is a lot better than paranoia. That is real fear. With every new noise I know it will cost...

RG5384 · #6 10-30-2002, 02:48 PM

Old Deis: how hard was it to replace the tranny in the SD? Mine isn't going south yet, but the transmission has about 165k on it give or take(odometer is broken) and i can guarantee it has never had the fluids changed in it's lifetime. Is it a practicle DIYer for someone with just a garage and a regular floor jack?
Ryan

#7 10-30-2002, 04:04 PM

I was able to borrow a very nice trans jack to do the job. That transmission is heavy enough and is tough enough to get up in there that I would have to recommend either borrow or rent a quality jack.
I didn't think there was anything too technical there to do. Just a lot of bolts. The top two can be very hard to reach. Need long extensions and swivel sockets for that and several other places.
The drive line can be a problem to get off. Broke one bolt and had to saw through another to remove. There are three bolts from the driveline into the flex plate and three from the tailshaft into the same plate. The three from one side were all fine thread and they all stipped when I loosened them. Just been there too long I suppose.
Much easier than an engine swap. Still a lot of bolts to remove and replace. In my book it is a DYI, but be prepared for some problems.
From what the trans shops told me the MB trans is ok, but the owners do not maintain them so well. Said an oil change and filter will extend the life by years in most cases. Sounds like this would be helpful in your case. It is not hard at all to drain the trans and torque converter. Pan and filter are a little tricky as the pan will bend if the bolts get overtightened. Good luck.

BlueBabyBenz · #8 10-30-2002, 09:00 PM

I read through the responses to this post so far, anxiously awaiting the definitive explanation for this mysterious ALDA.

I've searched through past archives for the same reason.

Same result.

No one wants to fess up. I think it's an exclusive club, like magicians. Once you're in, you have to swear never to reveal the secret.

Only kidding, folks.

I've looked in books, searched the internet, nothing. Except for several sites detailing the illustrious careers of that most famous father and son duo, Robert and Alan.

Found a schematic pic of it on my CD-Rom Manual, but no explanation. It sits there looking very much like a Starbuck's Copenhagen on life support.

I'm thinking it's a device that adjusts fuel output quantity based on altitude, load, and engine rpm's, and from what I can glean, it's only on turbocharged diesels.

RG5384 · #9 10-30-2002, 10:27 PM

yes, it is only on turbo charged diesels. I could tell you more but well, then, i'd have to kill you.

:p

Ohtooman · #10 10-31-2002, 12:37 PM

Ducati,

I know what you're talking about in regard to wondering if the car will quit. I bought my 82 300D four years ago with 220,000 miles on it. The guy that sold it to me said that there was something wrong with the rear end.(it whines) Found out from indepent MB shop that a lot of them whine and will go for years like this. I now have nearly 300K on the car and it still starts every time and has never let me down. It still uses only about 1/2 quart of oil every 3K. It is bar none the best car I have ever owned.

Fredmburgess · #11 10-31-2002, 08:10 PM

Hey, Ducati,

Ok, I can't resist...maybe your paranoia comes from owning a Ducati...? Only say it because I had one. Loved it but just new one day the desmo valve deal was gonna cost me!

Anyway, bought my '84 300Dt on Ebay for $860. Now has 379,000 miles on it and all I've done is correct lots of stupid, fairly simple things like vacuum leaks, leaking windshield seal...and yeah, dried and broken air cleaner mounts. Piece of cake.

When it gets to 500,000 I'll start thinking about a rebuild!

Fredmburgess · #12 10-31-2002, 08:16 PM

Hey, Ducati,

Ok, I can't resist...maybe your paranoia comes from owning a Ducati...? Only say it because I had one. Loved it but just knew that one day the desmo valve deal was going to cost me! Got a stiff neck from leaning over to listen for strange noises...

Anyway, bought my '84 300Dt on Ebay for $860. Now has 379,000 miles on it and all I've done is correct lots of stupid, fairly simple things like vacuum leaks, leaking windshield seals, tired brakes...and yeah, dried and broken air cleaner mounts. Piece of cake.

When it gets to 500,000 I'll start thinking about a rebuild. Maybe. Just drive it and smile....

Ducati · #13 11-01-2002, 02:18 AM

Okay Okay - the Ducati is not reliable and probably adds to my lack of confidence in all things mechanical. (The clutch on my 888 is even louder than the clattering from my 123 with all of its underhood sound deadening removed. You familiar with dry clutches will know) The Ducati, however, redeems itself with blistering performance and stable confidence-inspiring handling. (one of the reasons that I have not posted anything this summer)

The 123 is a tool; it is my daily transportation. I need it to run well every day. Unlike my Ducati, I cannot put it in my living room for a few months until I get around to fixing it again. And I am worried that that the MB's KlattaKlattaKlatta may one day turn into CrunchaPoppaBangBangBang just as certainly as the Ducati clutch JinglejingleJingle noise eventually turned into PopSquealGrindGrindGrind...

I understand that the 617 motor is nearly indestructable, however there are things that should be done to ensure reliability from the Injector Pump.
Any tips?

Fredmburgess · #14 11-01-2002, 08:23 AM

Hey Ducati, an excellent response! No question, nothing handles like those bikes! To the subject at hand, I'm far from an expert but have now read in a variety of posts and websites that vegetable oil lubricates better than typical diesel fuel and a blend may therefore help extend injection pump life. No doubt it's not that simple and you'll want to research. I'm running a blend of diesel and waste vegetable oil in the 300Dt, but won't know the real results for another 100,000 miles or so! Good luck! (p.s. I'm getting old, no more ducati but there's a BMW R1100RT in the garage...whole different species!)F