From: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net (diesel-benz-digest) To: diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Subject: diesel-benz-digest V1 #440 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 Saturday, November 25 2000 Volume 01 : Number 440 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles John Meister Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: ???? for the list one glow plug? Re: one glow plug? hey Diesel dan... RE: Radio Replacements (was: Becker refurbishing?) 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: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 13:55:33 -1100 From: Jon Filina Subject: Re: ???? for the list Richard wrote: > has anyone done a conversion from automatic transmission to 4 speed[both > cars 1975 240d's], My mechanic and his partner in crime have done at least two of these conversions that I know of. They were both 240D's that received the 300D engine, but retained the manual transmission. > how difficult, and things to know/tricks/timesaves/etc I can't help you on the details as I've never done it myself. From what I remember them telling me, you'll have to use the 240D flywheel and have the driveshaft shortened. The rest of the procedure sounded like a normal transmission R&R. Since your cars are automatics, you'll also need the clutch master cylinder and associated plumbing. The master is mounted under the dash next to the clutch pedal (which would also be a nice thing to acquire... ;-p ). The clutch hydraulics feed off of the brake reservoir. I don't know if there is a difference between the brake master cylinders for automatics and manuals, but would suspect they are the same. If so, you'd be removing plugs where the hydraulic lines connect. There is also a bleeder hose running between the clutch master and the reservoir. With all the parts you'll need, it would be helpful (and cheaper) to have access to the donor car. > one who has the chore ahead of him You might want to spell that CHORE.... It sounds like a pretty big job. If you hate automatics like I do, it would be worth it. Jon '81 240D 264,000 mi. "Mathilde" ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 19:27:01 -0800 From: john Subject: one glow plug? Would one bad glow plug be a big problem in cold weather? Or do I have more troubles? The thought of firing up the service manual CD is coming to mind... but it's such a pain to use... :( One very, very cool thing about the 300SD Glow plug setup... You don't have to disconnect a common rail to check the plugs!!! I started looking at it and figured out that I could just disconnect the plug at the controller and measure there... #5, the rear most glow plug appears to be open. So, tomorrow the wife wants me to take her to some "shabby chick" store and it's not far from Phil Smart MB so I'll run in and pick up the glowplug and see if they have the tach sensor in too. I'm seriously thinking of just dropping the insurance on it and holding on to it, at least until spring when it might sell easier. I'm still trying to understand why it won't start from the other glow plugs when the temperature drops down into the 30's. Of course it doesn't have a block heater... it's from California. Would 20% loss of glow really keep an engine from firing in the cold? I mean this thing worked perfectly before it dropped in temp... Another thing... the glow plug indicator light quit coming on... until the second time I tried it today... what is going on with this thing??? First the tach dies when I use the cruise control... now the glow plugs... well, thankfully everything else is working fine. If I keep it though I'll be redoing the springs in the front seat so I don't feel like a munchkin or a little old lady... ;) BTW, we had a Jeep fest today... 5 Full Size Jeeps, no 6..., 3 xj's) pix at: http://www.wagoneers.com/JEEPS/FESTS/Nov24-2000-SNOHOMISH-Fest/ later, john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 21:37:50 -0800 From: john Subject: Re: one glow plug? wow, great answers and insight! I hadn't even thought about replacing all of 'em at the same time... You're right. For me it means 5x the work... I usually don't have others work on my cars... only a couple mechanics I trust besides myself. :) I always get sticker shock when they work on my rigs... :) I guess the dead glow plug wiped out the controller when the temperature dropped... makes sense, if it was weak, that would have killed it. btw, I may just drop the full coverage, it isn't much really... thanx again! john At 08:10 PM 11/24/00 -0800, Richard Barnaby wrote: >At 07:27 PM 11/24/00 -0800, you wrote: >>Would one bad glow plug be a big problem in cold weather? Or >>do I have more troubles? The thought of firing up the service manual >>CD is coming to mind... but it's such a pain to use... :( > >In my experience, one bad glow plug means an EXTRAORDINARILY long start cycle. >I have close to 500,000 miles on 2 different 79-300SD's (One 200,000) the >other (the one I currently own) about 300,000. Also a LOT of cold >weather experience in Vermont. I don't have my service records on the 1st >79SD, but the current one shows starter replacements at >186,282 201,463 and again at 255,515. The reason for 186,282 is of >course, normal wear and tear, and is "not bad" in my opinion. To replace >again 15,000 miles later? I figured I could just grind-grind-grind until >the thing started. Wrongo. Lots of wear on the starter. > >My advice is to give the car ABSOLUTELY the best chance of starting. Use >a block heater, or garage the car, or keep the glow plugs up, and "glow" >before starting several times in cold weather. Your starter will thank you. > >>One very, very cool thing about the 300SD Glow plug setup... You don't >>have to disconnect a common rail to check the plugs!!! I started looking >>at it and figured out that I could just disconnect the plug at the controller >>and measure there... #5, the rear most glow plug appears to be open. > >Also, I have tended to replace them all as a set, if they have not been >replaced in a while. >I've tried the onesy\twosy approach, and it has ALWAYS resulted in extra >trips to the mechanic to fix. Now, since you do your own work, perhaps >you don't count the cost of leaving the car on the service island, but I do. > > >>So, tomorrow the wife wants me to take her to some "shabby chick" store and >>it's not far from Phil Smart MB so I'll run in and pick up the glowplug and >>see if they have the tach sensor in too. >> >>I'm seriously thinking of just dropping the insurance on it and holding on >>to it, at least until spring when it might sell easier. > >Check with your agent to see if you can keep basic comprehensive, but >delete the other coverages. > > >>I'm still trying to understand why it won't start from the other glow plugs >>when the temperature drops down into the 30's. Of course it doesn't have >>a block heater... it's from California. > >Even California can get cold. Idyllwild, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, not to >mention Mammoth, etc. If your weather routinely gets below freezing for a >month or two each year, I would consider a block heater. I live in the >Desert, and it gets below freezing only about 2 weeks out of the year. I >will try to "skate by". ALso I don't have an easy situation for power >where the car is parked. But if you carry an ice scraper for the >windshield, then consider a block heater. Night and Day difference. > > >>Would 20% loss of glow really keep an engine from firing in the cold? I >>mean this thing worked perfectly before it dropped in temp... > >I think you answered your own question. "It worked perfectly before...." > >>Another thing... the glow plug indicator light quit coming on... until >>the second time I tried it today... > >I cant remember exactly, but the glow plug indicator light does not >operate normally when one (or more) of the glow plugs is gone. As I >remember, it STAYS on, rather than does not come on, but I could be wrong >about that. See if the problem goes away with new glow plugs. (And look >into a block heater). They are less money than a starter, if installed >properly are unobtrusive. The "plug" hides well in the front chrome, and >is easily accessible, and keeps the whole block nice and warm. >In general, diesel engines do better when warm. The stress of a cold >environment is not healthy for long engine life, in general. When I used >to operate GM Diesel generators, the startup procedure called for 5 >minutes of sub 1,000 rpm idle before accelerating to operating RPM. I try >(not always 'cause I get in a hurry like most people) to let the car idle >at least one minute before operating. > >This car has taught me some lessons about patience and courtesy. >First, you need to WAIT to start it, then you need to WAIT to operate >it. Then when accelerating, you need to WAIT for it to get to speed, and >be gentle through the shifting. If there is oncoming traffic, you need to >WAIT for it to pass, 'cause you surely can't "dart out" with this >vehicle. I figure single-handedly this automobile has given me more >patience and courtesy than I ever would have developed with a sportier car. :-) > >>what is going on with this thing??? First the tach dies when I use the >>cruise control... now the glow plugs... well, thankfully everything else >>is working fine. If I keep it though I'll be redoing the springs in the >>front seat so I don't feel like a munchkin or a little old lady... ;) >> >>BTW, we had a Jeep fest today... 5 Full Size Jeeps, no 6..., 3 xj's) >>pix at: >>http://www.wagoneers.com/JEEPS/FESTS/Nov24-2000-SNOHOMISH-Fest/ >> >>later, >>john >>------------------------------------------------------ >> http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ >> Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... >> jesus, don't leave life without him, please! >>------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 22:46:03 -0800 From: john Subject: hey Diesel dan... can't find your email address... email me off list. we never finished our talk about that pickup truck... :) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 16:05:10 -0500 From: "Chris Straut" Subject: RE: Radio Replacements (was: Becker refurbishing?) This message is probably going to get rather long, so I'll warn you away now: if you're not planning on replacing the head unit (i.e. radio) in your benz, you can safely disregard everything below :) Any single-DIN unit will most likely fit your car (assuming this is a W123), so you probably won't have much trouble in that department. You're probably going to get a lot of varying recommendations as far as the brand-name is concerned. People are generally going to recommend the brand that he/she owns, since that person wants to think it's one of the better brands out there. No slight intended to anyone, but that's typically the way it works :) With factory speakers you're probably not going to notice a difference in sound quality between head units. That being the case, I would suggest that you base your choice on: 1. Appearance (will it look good in a vintage mercedes dash?) 2. Features (does it do everything you want?) 3. Ease of use (this is very important, since you will most likely be driving while operating the unit) 4. Cost 5. Warranty/Reliability You're generally going to get what you pay for, but don't go overboard and pay for features that you'll never use. Some units are going to have 3 sets of preamp outputs for connecting additional outboard amplifiers. If you don't plan on using that capability sometime down the road, don't pay the premium for the extra electronics! Most units will come standard with 2 pairs of preouts, which is enough for a subwoofer amp and then some. I bought a mid-line Kenwood unit (the KDC-7011) for my '85 300D and am reasonably happy with it. It plays CD's, sounds nice, never breaks, and looks good in my dash. I want one of Nakamichi's higher-end units, but alas.. I need to win the lottery :) I've replaced all of the stereo equipment in my car with aftermarket gear, so I've got some experience doing installs in W123's. The system's been through two evolutions and now consists of 3 outboard amplifiers, replacement front and rear speakers, 3-way crossover, and a single 10" subwoofer. Everything is hidden (except for the small 1'x1'x1' subwoofer box), so all of this equipment doesn't mar the car's appearance. If you want some more recommendations, you might want to visit www.caraudioforum.com and make a few posts. Many of the forum members are professional installers who have had experience with a lot of equipment and can give you more knowlegable suggestions than I can. Good luck! Chris Straut '85 300D, 86k - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of John Heflin Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2000 10:07 PM To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Subject: Re: Radio Replacements (was: Becker refurbishing?) I, as sure as others would agree, recommend getting an Alpine, its a perfect fit! John Heflin 69 280SE 4.5 78 240D If >you're planning on investing anything in a sound system in your car, Go >Sony or Pioneer. The Becker Grand Prix should be your last choice. I >wouldn't even reccomend them to my enemies to listen to AM radio with! - ------------------------------------------------------ For Sale: 1999 5-piece Dark Blue Pearl Export Drumset with 14-in hi-hats and 18-in crash/ride, both sabian, double brace stands included as well as extra cymbal stand, Brand new heads on all drums. ~$700~ email: greenmercedes240D-at-hotmail.com if interested - ------------------------------------------------------ ____________________________________________________________________________ _________ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #440 *********************************