just bought my first diesel. Now that is a different car. Any hints, do and don'ts? </P>


Anybody else own one of these??!</P><edited><editID>sukie</editID><editDate>38006.8143981481</editDate></edited>

 

Hmmmm....how about: Don't forget to pull up to the "diesel" pump? Oh, and don't pull out into a small opening in rush hour traffic!</P>


Serially, I love them! They belch coal smoke, and they hammer and rattle, and they keep on going....long after you're sick of owning the car...they still keep on going. Not too much special you need to know, aside from remembering that they do 0 - 60 in about 5 minutes. They cruise along on the highway like gangbusters, and pass a lot of fuel stops that their big brothers must pay homage to. If you live in a hot climate, and don't drive it a lot, you should use some sort of algaecide additive in the fuel...lots of them available. If you live in a cold climate, it would pay to carry an extra fuel filter in the trunk, along with a gallon of fuel, or even kerosene, to prime the filter and maybe cut the slush on a really cold day. If you have a garage in the basement of your home, you may notice a heavy stench of diesel smoke all over the house, unless you really heat the garage. If you live in the frozen north, there is an electric block heater which should be plugged in overnight; it'll save on batteries and starters. About every 3 or 4 months, it couldn't hurt to add a quart of ATF (transmission fluid) with a fillup of diesel; it helps clean the injectors. A clean air filter is important. Religious oil changes and filter changes are important...as they are with gas powered engines. Buy your diesel fuel from a place with high turnover; less chance of picking up condensation water, and/or algae. I guess there's more, but....well, I'm running out of bourbon, and must go to the kitchen...</P>

 

Sukie, which model diesel is it? </P>


Regards, </P>


Merc3</P>


http://mercedes-benz-owners.com</P>

 

Merc3,</P>


My "new" Mercedes is an 84 300D. I am falling in love with it!!</P>


It's kind of like a "father figure"...big, handsome, strong, solid and trustworthy!!</P>


</P>


7</P>


sukie</P>


</P>

 

Totally agree, Sukie, they're way cool. I have an '80 and I've converted it to run on straight vegetable oil. Really impressed with the charisma of the car, too. Beeyootiful.

Ash

 

Hey,

I just bought an 85 300 D turbo diesel. I love the car. Its a tank!!

Can I just put kerosene in the car instead of diesel?

Thanks

 

hello, welcome to the world of diesel, these cars last like no other cars ever built, I have a 85cd and 83tdt wagon, I do all my own service and repairs. the secret to longevity for these cars is service , follow the manuall , set the valves every 15k, do not run out of fuel, not like a gas car the fuel system becoms air bound and will not let the fuel flow, you could crank it untill you are old and grey and still no start.you have one of the safest cars on the road today. the injector pump can run kero but it is not legal because of no road tax applied.what part of the us are you? I am in the northeast, during the winter, the diesel fuel will turn into wax and not flow thus no start or run a little then shut down, a good fuel additive added once everytank full if your in the cold is the trick , read the instrructions , some additives have to be mesured carefully because too much will do damage to the fuel system. buy a haynes manuall and read it, sounds silly but it may keep you out of the service bay, or at least be educated in the operation and thus make it harder for a disreputiable shop to "take" you. good luck

 

the fuel system will except the kero as a diesel subsitute, but it is illegal because it has no road tax and you can be fined if the tank is checked same with home heating oil, the differance is a dye they but in the fuel to tell if the tax was paid.the kero has a lower flash point " temp at whitch the vaor will burn"and thus lower power output. read about biodiesel, a diesel will run on heated veggie oil heated to about 180f.type in biodiesel on a search, very interesting.

 

ive also got a 300D... but i think mines the oldest ;p

i got a Green (love it or hate it, do that latter and ill run over your foot) 76 300D

i just love that car...

so just for clairication, i should keep a extra gallon of diesul in the trunk, along with a extra fuel filter?

its been in storge for 7 years(was my dads, rest in peace)
all ive done to it was change the oil, and top off the fluids(had to put 20$ worth of diesul in it[:@]...

also, im wandering if i can steal a turbo/intercooler off a newer modle and put in on mine (like you said, takes 5min to get to 60)

... its got a problem though, not a major one, but still a problem or 2...
i can turn the stearing wheel 5 degrees, without it turning the tires. It squeeks when im doing it(warn bushing/shaft im thinking), i can hear a metal thud when it catches.

it also has high oil pressure (NO idea whats going on), but the needle stays at 45 untill it gets warmed up, then dips to about 40)

o, and I want to hook up a tach to it...

(thought i was gonna do a short post, so i guess ill make a list for you lazy tybe )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
should i keep a gallon of diesul and a filter in the trunk (and how do i prime it?)

what can i do to this car to make it semi-drivabal in the winter (live in WI, so think snow)

it was sitting for 7 years, and all i did was change the oil/filter (what else should i do?)

I'm wandering if i can put a turbo and intercooler on it from a different year 300D

Theres a bit of play/squeek in the stearing, im thinking warn shaft and bushing (anything seam wrong with my guess?)

and finally, its got high oil pressure(pegged at 45) untill it gets warm, then it dropps slightly.

hope some one can answer theese for me (o btw suki, sorry for kinda hijacking your post... if you care you can hijack one of mine ((member to wrap a diper around your head like me))

 

I should have known there were more 300D owners that loved their vehicle as much as I do. Silver is an '84... still going, bought it used, the previous owner did not treat it nicely at all (obviously not realizing the potential and the beauty with the perfectly toned lines of the car). I get picked on because I drive Silver around, and before I let anyone leave, I make them thank him.
I'm just glad to see there are people who appreciate a good car when they see it, or own it!