Milage Improvement Ideas?
 

Hello All,

Im new around hear, so what a way to start off than a controversial topic. Mileage gains and modifying your car. I have just started my hunt for an 80's or earlier MB Diesel. Im not looking for huge gains, but have helped with VW and Ford Diesels in the past to help with small mileage gains.

These are what I have done in the past with my and buddies cars/Trucks:
Block off EGR and clean out manifold
Run Synthetic oils
Improve the intake airflow, better intake
Improve the exhaust flow, straighter larger exhausts pipe
Over all tune up, glow plugs, filters and such

In general Im looking for that 30mpg mark, but see that most report in the mid 20's for the older MB's. If nothing else I think these will at least help to reduce restriction on the airflow for the car. Any input?

Brian

Thank you so much. The helps a lot, takes down the work load and cost of stuff I was going to do. For the EGR, do most of the older MB have kits that are easily found?

Thanks

[QUOTE=ForcedInduction;158824]Standard practice.


Quote:
Originally Posted by k7bpg https://mercedesforum.com/forum/imag...s/viewpost.gif
Block off EGR and clean out manifold
Run Synthetic oils

Standard practice.

I have an 80 300D. When you say 'clean out manifold', what exactly do you mean? How do you do that?

Also, you said the 240d was slow, slower than a 300D? My gosh, its the slowest car I've ever owned. Love it though. =)

ForcedInduction,
if I do all that, ie remove the intake and clean it out. Close off the egr. What benefits will I incur? I'm not the sort to fix what isn't broken. Rather not risk breaking a stud or stripping out treads removing an intake that most likely has been on the car for 32 years, for something with minimal gains in return.

btw, thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated.

"Better fuelmileage, longer engine life..."
I have an '87 300D Turbo with 233,000 miles on it. On the interstate, driving 80 mph max., I average 29 mpg. in suburban driving at slower speeds I average 30 -31 mpg. The time of year has a lot to do with it too. If the AC is worlking hard, it will cost you and 30 mpg will be the most you can expect during hot summer months.
The turbo boost will will overcome restrictions in the intake and exhaust. More important is that that you have unrestricted fuel flow (strainer, filters, colapsing old rubber fuel lines etc.) and no air leaks in the fuel lines to the engine. With mine it is pretty hard to resist not to letting it run, so teach yourself to allow the A/T to shift early, keep the RPM below 3000 and you'll get 30 mpg too, that is, if you have an 87 300D Turbo like I do.
I owned a 300 D in the 70s and the best I could do with it was to average 27 mpg. In 1996 I bought a new 300D and it averaged as much as 34 mpg. We once made a round trip through the Smoky Mountains and back home on one tank of fuel. When I 'gassed' up again we had driven 712 miles! The tank held about 21 gallons total. Took less than that to fill it up. And for most of the trip there were four of us in the car too. We had gone to take in the fall colors and with the football season in full swing, could not find a place to stay over night. :-)))
A warning for those who want to repeat an exercise like this. From our home in Georgia to Nashville, TN were I go on a regular basis it is 275 miles. Most of the route is on the intestate and I set the cruise control on 80 mph and usually do it in four hours, if I don't run into traffic delays.
On my last trip the reserve light came on at 490 miles. I figured I had a good 75 miles left. Next day I drove into town to fill up on my regular pump. Surprize, the car ran out of fuel at 556 miles, going up a long hill! I must have had at least half a gallon left, but going up on that hill the engine started to suck air and stopped.
Luckily I was able to roll back down the hill to a level spot. I had with me a quart of engine oil and put it into the tank. It took a while to get the air out of the fuel system. The engine eventually got going again and then ran as good as ever. :-))) (edit. 8/31/12)

agree with forced induction on all points but I would add a few based on the many diesels Ive had and still have.
1. new timing chain if there is sig stretch to restore proper advance.
2. I added bosio nozzles to my 300 turbo. I always got 27-28 mpg hwy and I am now 2 yrs later always 30-32 and there was a marked power improvement. I drive 55-60 mind you. My 240 D gets 32-35 under the same driving. Both engines are tight, burn no oil, start in winter and have had chains replaced.