My wife wants a Mercedes Diesel

[Cobb]

US Spec?!?!?!?! Mines was Canadian made.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by UFO

My 240D is automatic.

I've never seen an automatic 240D. But considering how power-sucker the MB automatic trannies were at that time, it might be slower than a 1.6IDI VW Rabbit Diesel...

[Cobb]

I think the reason it was a power sucker was the fact it was also AWD, I recall my father telling me how the wagon model had an automatic and awd.

Still its a 2.x liter diesel and if you adjust the tranny to the necessary shift points of the engine and adjust the screw on the injector pump its not a bad performing vehicle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Cobb

I think the reason it was a power sucker was the fact it was also AWD, I recall my father telling me how the wagon model had an automatic and awd.

AWD into an old 240D? I've never seen that. I know there were some versions of the G-Class with the OM616 engine (240GD) but were part-time 4WD.

[Cobb]

4matic.

[Varn]

My 5 banger will do the ton, nearly, RWD complete with slush bucket tranny

I would doubt that it has had a tune up in years. Should be getting stuff done soon.

[theoteacher]

@Varn - I love the picture of the 18 wheeler bearing down on the 300TD! I have a 240d and have this experience everyday!

[Varn]

I have done a lot of little things to it. Tune up. including valve adjustment, rebuilt injectors, a replacement glow plug. Filters. Installed a boost gauge to use as economy meter. Have been trying to keep it lower under 5 psi if can on the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2c2IhWp15w

Should help the mileage.

On the negative side I put four snow tires on it. We have been driving on snow and ice since before Christmas. It makes the two wheel rear drive pretty reasonable to drive.

We haven't filled the tank for a month It might be all winter before the mileage comes up.

[tjts1]

Thanks for the tip on checking glow plugs. I'm also a newly minted 300d owner (W124) and and I'm about to do my first injector rebuilt. I have a spare set of injectors with relatively new nozzles (bosio i think) and just picked up a new old stock Bosch POP tester and cleaning tools I bought from an EX diesel mechanic ($80, what a deal). I read everything I could find online about pop testing and adjusting pressure but any additional tips and tricks are apreciated. The engine is a little smokey at Idle and hard acceleration and louder than other OM603s I've seen. I'm guessing both pop pressure and timing are off.

[Varn]

I am getting the bugs worked out of the system. Starting to get 30 mpg more regularly now that weather is more prevalent and engine is in better tune.

It doesn't seem that mpg is that speed dependent. My test samples are small but I think the increased turbo boost. is helping efficiency almost as much as the increase in drag at higher speed.