I've been driving my '82 240D since March and I've run it about 30,000 miles. Its been a good car, but the idle is poor. I get 28-30mpg, and it accelerates to 60mph in just over 20 seconds on level graound. I have no complaints on performance--I just wouldn't want anything slower.
The idle bothers me. In drive it shakes excessively, but if I nudge it into neutral, it seems right smooth.
I see no shock absorbers mounted on the engine. The motor mounts seem OK, but how can I check them to see if they are compressed? How about the tranny mount--is there anyway to check it other than seeing if it is broken?
Any ideas?

I only know 300's and the shake issue, but if it has a rack dampner pin on the rear of the IP, that is what I'd check first. Fast and affordable, it smoothed out a couple of my cars.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Check out the fuel return lines for possible small leaks. You can also check the engine mounts for wear, as if they are original, they will be around 22 years old. My Euro idles quite smootly, with only the occasional random "miss" at idle.

OK, but how do I check the mounts?
They are not broken as the engine does not rise up out of the compartment in either drive or reverse.
I suspect they might be compressed, but does anyone have a measurement that I can use to check mine?

You will have to do a visual inspection. Look at the rubber, and see if it's weathered or cracked. It will allow the engine to shake at idle, and you may hear noises as they continue to deteriorate. This is of course assuming, that the engine isn't loping and missing severely at idle.

MS, the 240 does not have the engine shocks like the 300....
You check the engine mounts by making a little tool ( much like the dip stick used to check the oil level in the old York AC compressors ) and testing to see if the clearances are ok... you need the picture and dimentions from a manual to determine this..mine are loaned out right now.. .but I remember seeing this..

Can you ajust the idle ajustment on the dash to smooth out the idle it may be running to slow in drive at idle. I know that on some of my cars it has helped.
Bill

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94 dodge cummings,86 ford 6.9,75 mbz 240d[ sold], 82 mbz 300sd,83 mbz 300sd

Thanks for the help.
The engine does not lope at idle--just putting into neutral smooths things out considerably. But if I were to speed up the idle, the car would creep while at stoplights.
I am suspecting the mounts---does anyone have the dimensions so I can check them?
Thanks again

and that vibration at idle increases with cold weather...it may go away when the engine has been warmed up, or changing the idle speed (using that clever knob on the dash) might help...don't think this adjustment affects acceleration or other aspect of normal operation.

So does the 617 in a W115 have the rack dampener pin?
If it does it hasn't been checked in a long time in mine. Could use a smoother idle.
Mounts and shocks are a couple of years old.
thanks

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

No, only the turbo 617's have the rack dampener pin. Sometimes a visual inspection of the mounts CAN be deceiving - they might look OK but the dampening properties of the rubber may be long gone. It's always a good idea to replace them - especially if there's no record of the job having been done previously. It's not a bad job at all, especially on a 240D.