I think I posted this in the wrong section the first time!
I haven't been on this forum in a while since I sold my 1985 300sd.

I just recently (three days ago) bought a 1985 300d, very very nice, and when I asked the person I bought it from about what kind of oil he used, he wasn't sure(???), anyway he said he thought synthetic. I contacted the local Mercedes dealer. asked them about oil, they told me if synthetic was used and I didn't want to continue using synthetic (expensive!), that I could do my first oil change using semi-synthetic, then the oil change after that go back to non-synthetic. Okay, so I bought some castrol semi-synthetic, or rather blend, 10w30 wt. does this advece from the dealer sound okay? and would 10w30 wt blend be acceptable? I live in south Texas where the winters are not very severe.

Thanks in advance,
-DDaymen

Oh yeah, the 300d is going to replace my 1987 560sl as a daily driver, the 560sl is not big enough anymore: recent divorce=wife got the G.M.C. Yukon!! Gonna sell the 560sl, going back to a last-forever-diesel, that is I hope it lasts me a long time

 

Advice taken, I will use the Mobile 1 synthetic. Thanks for the reply, I will use any advice I get from you guys, your expierience is appreciated! I plan on owning this car for many years, as it is in such great shape and I know it should last me a long time. I have wanted a 300d for many years, but was never in a position to get one, and I'm very pleased that I finally got one!

Thanks again,

-DDaymen

now I need to figure out why the a/c compressor is always engaged, even with the climate control buttons off! No auxilliary fan working either. Oh well, maybe it isn't 10% perfect, but still a darn nice car.

 

Yes, I removed the relay, no changes! when the compressor is unplugged it stops, that's about all I have been able to check out so far!

 

Bu the way, my 300d has the air filter behind the passenger side headlight big cylindrical thing, no local parts houses have any, where is a good place on the 'net to order one?

 

I like the air filter mod, what parts would I need to make on myself?

Thanks,
-DDaymen

 

Thanks for the info., stupid me, my 300d is a california model, so it has the air cleaner assembly behind the passenger side headlight! It looks as if the previous owner disconnected some of the smog stuff; egr valve, and a few other vacuum lines disconnected and plugged. Any thing else I should do to this car as far as the smog stuff, to help performance/fuel mileage? since I am in texas all that smog stuff whatever it may be is not required.

 

Since my car is a California model and has the large filter assy. behind the passenger side head light, will your air filter mod. be able to work on mine? Thus saving me the expensive origional air filter? I already purchased all the stuff you mentioned, the Fram CA 8037 was only $19.00, much cheaper than what the car origionally calls for!

Thanks, -DDaymen

 

Also, I have used Sea Foam before in my gas car(s), introducing it into the intake when the engine is running, to clean out carbon deposits as it works pretty well from what I can tell from the nasty stuff that comes out of the exhaust after re-starting and driving. Is it adfviseable to use this on a MBZ 300d? I suppose it would be intruduced into the combustion chambers through the turbo.

-DDaymen

 

Never use non-synthetic!! You have to change it a lot more and will gum up your engine. I suggest Mobil 1.

 

It seems that my 300d, California model being as it is set up, won't be able to take advantage of the air filter modification you suggested, so I came up with one of my own using the existing rubber coupler the goes from the turbo to the air filter housing. I used silicone to seal the existing rubber elbow that was on the car, to a 3" rubber coupler, and of course the coupler fits right into the Fram CA 8037. The only thing I need to figure out is how to connect the valve cover vent hose that was on the existing air filter housing to the new set-up. I believe this will work as long as I have everything sealed air tight. I have enclosed some pictures to show what I did. Hopefully the pictures uploaded from my computer will show up!

-DDaymen