From: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net (diesel-benz-digest) To: diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Subject: diesel-benz-digest V1 #406 Reply-To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Sender: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Errors-To: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Precedence: bulk diesel-benz-digest Tuesday, October 3 2000 Volume 01 : Number 406 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles John Meister Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: why is it raining in my trunk? Re: Dash Removal-'75 300D Re: Best Lak Lak Re: Dash Removal-'75 300D Re: Best Lak Lak Re: Dash Removal-'75 300D Re: why is it raining in my trunk? best glue? best glue? best glue? Re: best glue? Re: best glue? Re: diesel &gasoline mixed Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 17:58:28 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: why is it raining in my trunk? I found the problem... the drain plug was plugged on the lid... suspect the water came in from the emblem??? I think you may have sampled too much of the "sacrificial anode material". :) rofl... :) john At 05:11 PM 10/1/00 -0700, rick wrote: >>this was actually IN the trunk lid... > >This would perhaps seem to be a classic example of "Gremlin >Infestation". There may be thousands (perhaps millions) of gremlins in >this car. > >The gremlins lurking in the underside of the trunk lid snuck out to >drink all that clean WA rain and then went back inside the lid before >relieving themselves ... when you opened the lid ... voila! Gremlin pee! > >The only known cure for "Gremlin Infestation" is as follows: > 1) Place a large bowl of beer (brand doesn't matter but Rainier prob >would work well) outside of the car but within reeling range. > 2) Play (preferably on car stereo) either Bob Wills or John Philip >Souza. > 3) This will "exercise" the gremlins. > 4) (watch the bowl of beer) ... when it starts to disappear turn off >the music & immediately move the car. > >The theory behind this: The music will either get the gremlins dancing >or marching ... after awhile they will get thirsty and go for the beer. >After you move the car the gremlins (having drunk the beer) are well >confused & can't find their previous home. > >Please note: a "sacrificial vehicle" placed within staggering distance >will increase the effectiveness of this procedure. >(automobiles about to be sold (where did YOUR gremlins come from) or >belonging to mothers-in-law or governmental agents are excellent >"sacrificial vehicles". > >The only other procedure is firecrackers ignited inside the car ... not >recommended. > >:-) > later, > rick - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 20:23:35 -0500 From: Jim & Barb Hoffman Subject: Re: Dash Removal-'75 300D Michael, When you figure it out... let me know how you did it! As I understand it the instrument cluster is "press fit" into the dash. I tried making a coat hanger removal tool for the dash. One for each side. I cut the coat hanger in two, made little handle at one end and a short hook at the other. Slid the hook end between the dash and the instrument cluster. Turned 90 degrees and pulled. That babys in there tight if it's supposed to come out that easily. It just straightened the hook end or turned back 90 degrees and slid back out. So I'm ready to take off the kick panel under the cluster and try getting at it from below. I'd rather pull it out from up-top so if you figure it out PLEASE let me know! Thanks! Jim/ '83 240D docmikeii-at-earthlink.net wrote: > I am trying to further trace the vacuum issues on my '75 300D (115D). The > diaphragm at the injector pump works, and people have proposed checking > some tee fitting at the firewall, but my vacuum line runs straight from the > injection pump back to the firewall, and up under the dash. Some have said > that to check the switch itself, I will have to remove the dash. I crawled > under there today to attempt this, and cannot figure out if there is > supposed to be some easily definable way to remove the dash. There are > some screws from the soft pad material into some metal, but it does not > appear these are supposed to separate. It also does not seem clear that > the removal of the screws from this metal piece that runs along the bottom > of the padded dash pad will result in it coming loose. > > So, anyone know how to remove the dash-or if there is an easier way, to > simply remove the ignition switch or guage cluster? If I can even get any > of these individual components out, I am sure I can see where the hoses are > going and get my vacuum pump on them. > > Thanks! > > --- J. Michael Shaw, II > ... Alameda, CA > --- docmikeii-at-earthlink.net ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 20:44:39 -0500 From: Jim & Barb Hoffman Subject: Re: Best Lak Lak Alec Cordova wrote: > Snip... > I second that nomination, but make sure you take your time and find a good > one. I can't empisize enough what Alec says here. I broke the cardinal rule and bought the first one I drove and I sure wish I hadn't. I now wish I'd joined this list BEFORE I bought my car. I would have looked for a 5 cylinder turbo. Only would have been a little more money but much more car. Just my $.02 Jim/ '83 240D ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 21:48:17 -0700 From: Michael Frank Subject: Re: Dash Removal-'75 300D Jim, et al: The correct way to remove the instrument binnacle is from behind and below. First, disconnect the battery. Then drop the panel beneath the steering column. Reach in (takes a good touch) and unscrew the speedometer cable. unplug the wiring bundle. Then push on it from behind....it'll just pop out. Prying from the front doesn't work and will damage the dash. Reason it seems tight is that you're tugging on the speedo cable. Mike Frank 1979 300CD New York At 08:23 PM 10/1/00 -0500, you wrote: >Michael, > > When you figure it out... let me know how you did it! As >I understand it the instrument cluster is "press fit" into the dash. >I tried making a coat hanger removal tool for the dash. One for >each side. I cut the coat hanger in two, made little handle at one >end and a short hook at the other. Slid the hook end between >the dash and the instrument cluster. Turned 90 degrees and >pulled. That babys in there tight if it's supposed to come out >that easily. It just straightened the hook end or turned back >90 degrees and slid back out. So I'm ready to take off the >kick panel under the cluster and try getting at it from below. > > I'd rather pull it out from up-top so if you figure it out PLEASE >let me know! > >Thanks! > >Jim/ > >'83 240D > >docmikeii-at-earthlink.net wrote: > >> I am trying to further trace the vacuum issues on my '75 300D (115D). The >> diaphragm at the injector pump works, and people have proposed checking >> some tee fitting at the firewall, but my vacuum line runs straight from the >> injection pump back to the firewall, and up under the dash. Some have said >> that to check the switch itself, I will have to remove the dash. I crawled >> under there today to attempt this, and cannot figure out if there is >> supposed to be some easily definable way to remove the dash. There are >> some screws from the soft pad material into some metal, but it does not >> appear these are supposed to separate. It also does not seem clear that >> the removal of the screws from this metal piece that runs along the bottom >> of the padded dash pad will result in it coming loose. >> >> So, anyone know how to remove the dash-or if there is an easier way, to >> simply remove the ignition switch or guage cluster? If I can even get any >> of these individual components out, I am sure I can see where the hoses are >> going and get my vacuum pump on them. >> >> Thanks! >> >> --- J. Michael Shaw, II >> ... Alameda, CA >> --- docmikeii-at-earthlink.net ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 19:49:56 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: Best Lak Lak When I bought Fritz I was buying it from a friend, and got a pretty good deal... but man I got a pretty good lesson in what could go wrong with a Benz... thankfully little stuff, little stuff that annoyed me so much that I finally gave up on it. Same kind of annoying stuff that irritates me on the '83 300SD, the wide hysteresis in the cruise control and climate control systems... :) otherwise, I'm enjoying my '83 300SD... and I test drove 5 of them before I settled on this one. :) Wide variation in each one too. I noticed the same thing in testing 300D's. Amazing how different they can ride and perform! looks like the 300SD is staying around... did the math on the addition on Saturday (too wet outside to work on SuperDawg... :) and it ain't gonna happen, so I'm gonna keep him. Been thinking about the name too... SD, too bad I'm calling my '83 J10 SuperDawg... super Dave? super Diesel? :) Speedy Diesel? Of course the wife and I were kidding about that going over Stevens Pass Wednesday with a clogged fuel filter at 15 mph... :) john At 08:44 PM 10/1/00 -0500, Jim & Barb Hoffman wrote: >Alec Cordova wrote: > >> Snip... > I can't empisize enough what Alec says here. I broke the cardinal >rule and bought the first one I drove and I sure wish I hadn't. I now >wish I'd joined this list BEFORE I bought my car. I would have >looked for a 5 cylinder turbo. Only would have been a little more >money but much more car. - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 19:51:32 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: Dash Removal-'75 300D didn't someone correct me on saying that pushing from behind could damage the instruments??? The description below sounds reasonable... I may have to take the dash out of my '83 300SD if the inductive tach pickup doesn't fix the tach... john At 09:48 PM 10/1/00 -0700, Michael Frank wrote: >Jim, et al: > > The correct way to remove the instrument binnacle is from behind and >below. First, disconnect the battery. Then drop the panel beneath the >steering column. Reach in (takes a good touch) and unscrew the speedometer >cable. unplug the wiring bundle. Then push on it from behind....it'll just >pop out. Prying from the front doesn't work and will damage the dash. >Reason it seems tight is that you're tugging on the speedo cable. > >Mike Frank >1979 300CD >New York > >At 08:23 PM 10/1/00 -0500, you wrote: >>Michael, >> >> When you figure it out... let me know how you did it! As >>I understand it the instrument cluster is "press fit" into the dash. >>I tried making a coat hanger removal tool for the dash. One for >>each side. I cut the coat hanger in two, made little handle at one >>end and a short hook at the other. Slid the hook end between >>the dash and the instrument cluster. Turned 90 degrees and >>pulled. That babys in there tight if it's supposed to come out >>that easily. It just straightened the hook end or turned back >>90 degrees and slid back out. So I'm ready to take off the >>kick panel under the cluster and try getting at it from below. >> >> I'd rather pull it out from up-top so if you figure it out PLEASE >>let me know! >> >>Thanks! >> >>Jim/ >> >>'83 240D >> >>docmikeii-at-earthlink.net wrote: >> >>> I am trying to further trace the vacuum issues on my '75 300D (115D). The >>> diaphragm at the injector pump works, and people have proposed checking >>> some tee fitting at the firewall, but my vacuum line runs straight from the >>> injection pump back to the firewall, and up under the dash. Some have said >>> that to check the switch itself, I will have to remove the dash. I crawled >>> under there today to attempt this, and cannot figure out if there is >>> supposed to be some easily definable way to remove the dash. There are >>> some screws from the soft pad material into some metal, but it does not >>> appear these are supposed to separate. It also does not seem clear that >>> the removal of the screws from this metal piece that runs along the bottom >>> of the padded dash pad will result in it coming loose. >>> >>> So, anyone know how to remove the dash-or if there is an easier way, to >>> simply remove the ignition switch or guage cluster? If I can even get any >>> of these individual components out, I am sure I can see where the hoses are >>> going and get my vacuum pump on them. >>> >>> Thanks! >>> >>> --- J. Michael Shaw, II >>> ... Alameda, CA >>> --- docmikeii-at-earthlink.net - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 19:54:03 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: why is it raining in my trunk? At 06:20 PM 10/1/00 -0700, flavorup-at-pacbell.net wrote: >Where is the drain plug on the lid? >Do you have a photo of it? I don't have one NOW, but will in about 5 minutes... :) (heading to Home Depot to get bolts to finish my custom bumper on SuperDawg (my '83 J10 Stepside)... will take pictures on the way, may not get them up for a day or two... ) Not sure if it's a "normal" plug, but I felt underneath, felt something like a clump of caulk or silicon or dried rubber, tried to pick it off, then grabbed a screwdriver and poked it through and the water came gushing out... I looked at it in daylight, it's definetly a factory hole... I'll take a picture of both sides... not sure why it was closed up... john >Thanks >Brian Carey >1983 300SD 90k miles > > >At 05:58 PM 10/01/2000 -0700, you wrote: >>I found the problem... the drain plug was plugged >>on the lid... suspect the water came in from the emblem??? >> >>I think you may have sampled too much of the "sacrificial anode material". :) >>rofl... >> >>:) >>john >> >>At 05:11 PM 10/1/00 -0700, rick wrote: >>>>this was actually IN the trunk lid... >>> >>>This would perhaps seem to be a classic example of "Gremlin >>>Infestation". There may be thousands (perhaps millions) of gremlins in >>>this car. >>> >>>The gremlins lurking in the underside of the trunk lid snuck out to >>>drink all that clean WA rain and then went back inside the lid before >>>relieving themselves ... when you opened the lid ... voila! Gremlin pee! >>> >>>The only known cure for "Gremlin Infestation" is as follows: >>> 1) Place a large bowl of beer (brand doesn't matter but Rainier prob >>>would work well) outside of the car but within reeling range. >>> 2) Play (preferably on car stereo) either Bob Wills or John Philip >>>Souza. >>> 3) This will "exercise" the gremlins. >>> 4) (watch the bowl of beer) ... when it starts to disappear turn off >>>the music & immediately move the car. >>> >>>The theory behind this: The music will either get the gremlins dancing >>>or marching ... after awhile they will get thirsty and go for the beer. >>>After you move the car the gremlins (having drunk the beer) are well >>>confused & can't find their previous home. >>> >>>Please note: a "sacrificial vehicle" placed within staggering distance >>>will increase the effectiveness of this procedure. >>>(automobiles about to be sold (where did YOUR gremlins come from) or >>>belonging to mothers-in-law or governmental agents are excellent >>>"sacrificial vehicles". >>> >>>The only other procedure is firecrackers ignited inside the car ... not >>>recommended. >>> >>>:-) >>> later, >>> rick >> >>------------------------------------------------------ >> http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ >> "The truth which makes men free is for the most part >> the truth which men prefer not to hear." >> ---Herbert Sebastian Agar >> Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... >> jesus, don't leave life without him, please! >>------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 11:32:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Kevin McBriarty Subject: best glue? Hello. I have just recently purchased an '82 300TD and am new to the wonderful world of diesels. My question, however, is one of aesthetics rather than mechanics. You know the wood molding that lines the interior and bisects the glove box? The kind that looks like the wood from the paneling from your den? Well, it seems that an edge from wood over the glove box is coming up. I'd like to glue it back down before I have to bark at a passenger for mindlessly picking at it (something i don't like doing...barking that is). Can I just use regular wood glue to pin it down or is there a better recommondation to put it back in its place. If it was wood to wood, i'd probably just use wood glue, but since it's wood to that vinyl/plastic like dashboard, i'm not sure. Any suggestions? Thanks. Kevin Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 11:37:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Kevin McBriarty Subject: best glue? Hello. I have just recently purchased an '82 300TD and am new to the wonderful world of diesels. My question, however, is one of aesthetics rather than mechanics. You know the wood molding that lines the interior and bisects the glove box? The kind that looks like the wood from the paneling from your den? Well, it seems that an edge from wood over the glove box is coming up. I'd like to glue it back down before I have to bark at a passenger for mindlessly picking at it (something i don't like doing...barking that is). Can I just use regular wood glue to pin it down or is there a better recommondation to put it back in its place. If it was wood to wood, i'd probably just use wood glue, but since it's wood to that vinyl/plastic like dashboard, i'm not sure. Any suggestions? Thanks. Kevin Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 11:37:59 -0700 (PDT) From: Kevin McBriarty Subject: best glue? Hello. I have just recently purchased an '82 300TD and am new to the wonderful world of diesels. My question, however, is one of aesthetics rather than mechanics. You know the wood molding that lines the interior and bisects the glove box? The kind that looks like the wood from the paneling from your den? Well, it seems that an edge from wood over the glove box is coming up. I'd like to glue it back down before I have to bark at a passenger for mindlessly picking at it (something i don't like doing...barking that is). Can I just use regular wood glue to pin it down or is there a better recommondation to put it back in its place. If it was wood to wood, i'd probably just use wood glue, but since it's wood to that vinyl/plastic like dashboard, i'm not sure. Any suggestions? Thanks. Kevin Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2000 15:01:17 -0700 From: Michael Frank Subject: Re: best glue? Kevin: There's actually a bit of a procedure involved. I found that no matter how I tried, I couldn't get the thing to lie flat without clamping. I wasn't comfortable clamping the whole door, for fear of messing up the plastic liner, or somehow spoiling the alignment. So what I did was to place a board on the back of passenger seat, then used two 1"x1" sticks cut to length. The front of the sticks I wrapped in cloth and placed against the wood strip, the back ends were wedged against the board. In this way the seat springs provided exactly the pressure needed to hold the part in place. As for glue, I used a silicone adhesive. You can't use ordinary wood glue because you need to attach the part to a metal backing. The metal expands and contracts at a different rate than the wood, so the glue has to be flexible. Mike Frank 1970 300CD New York At 11:32 AM 10/2/00 -0700, Kevin McBriarty wrote: >Hello. I have just recently purchased an '82 300TD and >am new to the wonderful world of diesels. My question, >however, is one of aesthetics rather than mechanics. >You know the wood molding that lines the interior and >bisects the glove box? The kind that looks like the >wood from the paneling from your den? Well, it seems >that an edge from wood over the glove box is coming >up. I'd like to glue it back down before I have to >bark at a passenger for mindlessly picking at it >(something i don't like doing...barking that is). Can >I just use regular wood glue to pin it down or is >there a better recommondation to put it back in its >place. If it was wood to wood, i'd probably just use >wood glue, but since it's wood to that vinyl/plastic >like dashboard, i'm not sure. Any suggestions? Thanks. > >Kevin >Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! >http://photos.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 12:07:52 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: best glue? I had some white silicon type stuff on hand one day and reattached my wood to the ash tray... I'll look to see what it was, it held... john On Mon, 2 Oct 2000, Kevin McBriarty wrote: >-->Hello. I have just recently purchased an '82 300TD and >-->am new to the wonderful world of diesels. My question, >-->however, is one of aesthetics rather than mechanics. >-->You know the wood molding that lines the interior and >-->bisects the glove box? The kind that looks like the >-->wood from the paneling from your den? Well, it seems >-->that an edge from wood over the glove box is coming >-->up. I'd like to glue it back down before I have to >-->bark at a passenger for mindlessly picking at it >-->(something i don't like doing...barking that is). Can >-->I just use regular wood glue to pin it down or is >-->there a better recommondation to put it back in its >-->place. If it was wood to wood, i'd probably just use >-->wood glue, but since it's wood to that vinyl/plastic >-->like dashboard, i'm not sure. Any suggestions? Thanks. >--> >-->Kevin >-->Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! >-->http://photos.yahoo.com/ >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- john-at-wagoneers.com **** http://wagoneers.com don't leave life without Jesus, please... Snohomish, Washington USA - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2000 20:58:20 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: diesel &gasoline mixed At 11:52 PM 10/2/00 -0400, jonathan-at-writemail.com wrote: >My old 1974 240D owner's manual mentions adding up to 30% gasoline to the diesel in winter, if kerosene-"winterized" fuel wasn't available ! >I've done that, with no harmful effects. >regards, Jonathan I've done it before too. Works fine. The safest way is to add one gallon of regular gas to about 20 gallons of Diesel, guess if it got cold enough going to 30% wouldn't be a problem though. :) Antigel additive is safer than gas, but not cheaper. :) If I'm driving my benz this winter and it gets cold I'll do the gas mix trick... but more likely I'll be driving one of my Jeeps. :) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #406 *********************************