Driving a Diesel
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Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3
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From: So. Calif.
1982 300CD Turbo
Driving a Diesel
First time diesel owner,(I really enjoy it!), however I don't know if I know how to treat it the way it wants to be treated. Short trips around town such as to the market and back or to church and home again maybe take the kid to school all within 7 miles ok or not good. Should I let it idle inorder to warm up to operating temp? What about a red line on the tack? nothing. And should I shift gears manually in order to keep the tubro working (about 2000 RPM). thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 332
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From: LI, NY
02 W163, 84 W123, 03 E39, 98 E39
MB Diesels
I have had 4 MB diesels (83 240D, 84 300D, 86300TD, & 86 190D). Three of them went over 200K. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, other than religiously change the oil every 5,000 miles. I also changed AT fluids and filters, fuel pre and main filter every 30K. Maintenance on these older cars is/was relatively easy.
An 82 300CD is a 123 body, same as the 240D & 300D & TD. When the original mufflers went bad, I switched to stainless steal exaust that has lasted many years (www.timevalve.com).
The one problem that I have had in two of the 123 body MBs was that the rear metal suspension part that supports the rear axle rusted or bent (at over 200K, 10+ years). This part alone is $900 new and a very big job labor wise, so ended up junking one car and replacing rear tire every 15k on the other.
Don't over rev or take your car to the track. You are asking for trouble with a 21 year old diesel doing that.
Good luck.
An 82 300CD is a 123 body, same as the 240D & 300D & TD. When the original mufflers went bad, I switched to stainless steal exaust that has lasted many years (www.timevalve.com).
The one problem that I have had in two of the 123 body MBs was that the rear metal suspension part that supports the rear axle rusted or bent (at over 200K, 10+ years). This part alone is $900 new and a very big job labor wise, so ended up junking one car and replacing rear tire every 15k on the other.
Don't over rev or take your car to the track. You are asking for trouble with a 21 year old diesel doing that.
Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
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Don't worry about the turbo. The only time you should let it idle to let the turbo cool is when you've taken it on a long road trip across a highway interstate. You should raise the idle slightly for a minute, then shut it down.
The best thing for a diesel is to drive it like you stole it. Everywhere. This keeps it running cleaner, and idleing smoother.
I'm not quite sure you can over-rev the car though. I think the ALDA limits the fuel load and cuts out all power at about 5200rpm + -100. My 300SDL will not rev past say 5400rpm, no matter what, and that is around the redline for the engine(5450 is red).
The best thing for a diesel is to drive it like you stole it. Everywhere. This keeps it running cleaner, and idleing smoother.
I'm not quite sure you can over-rev the car though. I think the ALDA limits the fuel load and cuts out all power at about 5200rpm + -100. My 300SDL will not rev past say 5400rpm, no matter what, and that is around the redline for the engine(5450 is red).
