why do mercedes diesel last forever?

Say not the Struggle nought Availeth

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Oct 30, 2003, 6:07:03 PM10/30/03

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I have a 1979 240d, with 200,000 miles, odometer broken.

Everbody keeps saying they last forever. Why?

How should I drive the car to make it last?

It is a daily driver, approximately 35 miles each way.

I find that if I push it, the transmission shifts good, the acceleration
is acceptable.

If I go lightly, the transmission shifts into high gear at 35 miles per
hour, and it is very sluggish.

But, I wonder if really giving it the gas (diesel), will harm the car?

Jerry

BTW, this is my first diesel.

I bought it in an impound auction, have no records, no history at all.

Darrell

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Oct 30, 2003, 6:40:33 PM10/30/03

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I would do these two things:

1. 100% full synthetic oil.

2. Let it warm up before you drive. It's hardest on the engine @ when it's
cold.

no gas....

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atwifa

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Oct 30, 2003, 6:52:49 PM10/30/03

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i had a 1985 190D, had done 250,000 miles. the engine was still sweet as a
nut when i sold it 50,000 miles later. no leaks anywhere on the motor. i
changed the oil every 3,000 miles. not using synthetic, as that is plain
overkill and a waste of money on that type of engine. the best gas mileage
you will get from a diesel will be by using part-throttle, so go easy.
although having said that, i used to get very high mileage even at full
throttle on a long motorway run.

as to why these engine are so good, one word: overengineering.

or is that two words?

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Jeremy

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Oct 30, 2003, 6:52:53 PM10/30/03

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It is a little under powered, but benefits from a lead foot after the
engine is warmed up. Regular valve adjustments and 5,000 mile oil
changes will keep the engine going for a long time while the rest of the
car's systems can deteriorate. If you have just bought it there is a
list of things to do, most of which can be done at home.

Change all the fuses and clean the contacts, replace with the glass
versions and apply conductive grease to the ends.

Check the fuel filters, there are two if I remember, and always carry a
spare line filter. The line filters are cheap and clog before the main
one, often rapidly and can shut the car down in seconds.

Try to keep the tank full if parking for weeks and add an anti algae
treatment especially in the autumn.

With no records, I would change the brake fluid immediately and probably
the transmission too, changing the transmission filter. Changing the
fluid may also erase some of the shift problem if you have any. The
throttle has a kick down facility that is achieved by flooring the
accelerator

Check for transmission line leaks where they go from the transmission to
the radiator, the metal clips sometimes wear through lines and only drip
while under pressure.

I have a 76 300D with 400,000 miles and it still does over eighty.

JJ

Kevin in San Diego

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Oct 30, 2003, 7:49:04 PM10/30/03

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I just drove my 88 190D from san diego to phoenix and back. It got 32mpg!!!
It has 227K miles on it now. Don't put synthetic in your old diesel. It will
just start everything leaking. Two rules with a diesel
1. Change the oil frequently.
2. Never overheat the motor.

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