From: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net (diesel-benz-digest) To: diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Subject: diesel-benz-digest V1 #601 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 Sunday, July 29 2001 Volume 01 : Number 601 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: Benz Directional Signals Re: conversions... Should I remove the lower splash shield? dimensions Vacuum Doorlocks on 300D Question regarding Wiper switch functionality on a 1983 300D TurboDiesel Re: Should I remove the lower splash shield? 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, 27 Jul 2001 17:06:59 -0700 From: Greg Fiorentino Subject: Re: Benz Directional Signals Well! I have had no symptoms since I queried the list.  I did nothing, since the problem disappeared.  I thought perhaps the vehicle's spirit was cowed by the power of all that experience. Today, I fiddled with the emergency flasher switch and was able to duplicate the symptoms, then solve it.  I recall one of my kids playing "what's this?" with the flasher switch around the time the directionals failed.  I believe you have hit it on the head! Thanks for the tip. Greg (84 300D Turbo) At 10:15 AM 7/26/01 -0500, you wrote: I saw your post. The most common cause of this is the Hazard signal switch is in the middle, not the on or off position.  Just push the hazard switch to full off and your signals should work.  If not, the hazard switch contacts may need cleaning.   Hope this works, Hal Herrington http://www.bestpricecigars.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 18:36:44 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: conversions... very cool. passing this along to related lists. ;) john At 02:12 PM 7/27/01 -0700, luke wrote: >found this bit of extra info about the south american landcruisers. they are >using the om 314. what trans are they using...? > >I live in Capiíbary-Paraguay 235 km from the capital Asunción. I have the >Brazilian version of the fj-40, the so called "Bandeirante", model 1989, >with Mercedes Benz OM-314 3,9l diesel engine. > >-luke > > > From: john > > Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 16:50:22 -0700 > > To: luke > > Cc: danstarc1-at-home.com > > Subject: Re: conversions... > > > > > > hey dan, > > > > we have a question about what's used in South America, any ideas? > > > > john > > > > At 04:40 PM 7/24/01 -0700, luke wrote: > >> john, > >> thanks for the pictures. wondering what trans he is using. is the merc > >> clutch for the 4 speed a strong unit? we didn't get many 4 speeds here > so i > >> think it would probably be a bad idea to use the benz clutch in a > >> conversion. cost, availability and strength make the GM unit the obvious > >> choice. i have a 5 cyl in my garage next to a GM bellhousing and 4 > speed. i > >> think it can be done relatively easily. > >> still trying to get information on what transmissions the south americans > >> are using behind the om617 in the new bandeirantes. > >> thanks again, > >> -luke > >> > >>> From: john > >>> Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 16:17:30 -0700 > >>> To: (Recipient list suppressed) > >>> Subject: conversions... > >>> > >>> > >>> I think a 5 cylinder MB Turbo Diesel would be an excellent choice > >>> for almost any light to medium duty 4x4. I wouldn't want to tow with > >>> one, but would suspect it would work well even in a Full Size Jeep. > >>> > >>> I'm dropping a 4.0L six cylinder from a '96 Cherokee into my FSJ '83 J10. > >>> It currently has a 258 i-6. A 5 cylinder Turbo Diesel would have worked > >>> as well, but fuel prices and emissions made it more trouble than worth... > >>> > >>> One of the guys in Sweden sent me pictures of a 240D engine dropped > >>> into a Full Size Jeep with a Volvo Turbo attached: > >>> http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/rigs/Swedish-FSJs/ > >>> second picture down is the 240 engine in a big Jeep. > >>> > >>> The 3.0L 5 cyl TD would be an awesome engine for an XJ cherokee as > >>> well. I had an '85 xj with the 2.1L I-4 TD, renault... it did fine so > >> I know > >>> a bigger MB engine would do superbly... > >>> > >>> cool stuff... > >>> > >>> john - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------- http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 13:59:52 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: Should I remove the lower splash shield? With even more hundred degree (F) days definitely in store for the Texas summer, I was thinking about removing the lower splash shield on my 89 M103 300CE. I was wondering if opening up air access from the bottom of the engine compartment might be appreciated by all the rubber in particular. I drive about 30 miles each way to and from work, but I don't spend too much time stuck in slow traffic. My car has almost 130K miles, and with the A/C on in traffic, I often see close to 100C on the temp gauge. Any opinions? (Probably one of the most fun pair of words on our lists) Thanks, Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 95 C280 89 300CE ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 13:56:18 -0700 From: john Subject: dimensions Trying to find the length and width of the ZJ Grand Cherokee, anyone have it? (I'm pretty sure it's 105.9" wheel base) thanx, john rig - WB - length - Width ===================== XJ 101.4 165.3 70.5 WJ 105.9 181.5 72.3 ZJ 105.9 ? ? SJ 108.7 186.5 75.6 123 110.0 186.0 70.3 126 115.6 202.6 71.6 J10 118.8 194.0 78.9 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jul 2001 14:25:46 -0700 From: "Mark Fountain" Subject: Vacuum Doorlocks on 300D Since the list subject has been dealing with vacuum system problems, I thot I'd pipe up with an ongoing problem I've been having. The vacuum system on my '82 loses its charge after about an hour after turning off the motor. Yeah, there's probably a leak somewhere, but who knows and I don't have the time to chase it down. A previous owner had an alarm system installed, adding electric solenoid locks on the front two doors. My question is has anyone out there ever replaced the vacuum locks with electric ones in the rear doors or trunk? That would be a big help to know that I can unlock and lock those doors more than a couple times without having to restart the engine. I even thot of installing an electric assist vacuum pump, that's going too far. Appreciate any insights! Thanks, Mark Fountain ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 17:58:05 -0500 From: "Richard F. Dillon" Subject: Question regarding Wiper switch functionality on a 1983 300D TurboDiesel As a result of the message below, I have received several very helpful tips regarding this problem. Apparently the interval setting is controlled by an interval wiping relay, or a combination relay of some sort. Would anyone know what this looks like, or where it may be located on a 1983 300D TurboDiesel? Your help is GREATLY appreciated, Thanks, Richard Folks, as I've enjoyed driving our new (1983) 300D Turbo Diesel, I noticed that the first position on the wiper switch works the same as the second position. On our 1979 240D, the first position was intermittent. I checked the owners manual and it too said that the first position should be intermittent. Does anyone know what it takes to fix this? Down here in Houston, TX we get a lot of rain, and it is very convenient to have the intermittent setting for those days when it is misty. Thanks so much in advance, and please reply to rfdillon-at-hal-pc.org Thanks and have a GREAT day, Richard F. Dillon E-Mail: rfdillon-at-hal-pc.org Character: "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, they will become your character. Develop your character for it becomes your destiny." 3 John 2 - "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 17:03:17 -0500 From: Jon Filina Subject: Re: Should I remove the lower splash shield? Alec was seeing triple digits and wrote: > With even more hundred degree (F) days definitely in store for the Texas > summer, I was thinking about removing the lower splash shield on my 89 M103 > 300CE. I was wondering if opening up air access from the bottom of the > engine compartment might be appreciated by all the rubber in particular. I > drive about 30 miles each way to and from work, but I don't spend too much > time stuck in slow traffic. My car has almost 130K miles, and with the A/C > on in traffic, I often see close to 100C on the temp gauge. I can't speak for your MB, but my old Jetta ('90) had a panel under the engine that was supposed to keep the engine area cleaner. I am assuming that's what you are calling a splash shield and is the same thing. I ran the Jetta without this panel for almost 2 years and never noticed any temperature differences. Why did I take it off? I didn't... To make a long story short, think heavy fog (pea soup variety), a 90 degree turn, missing it and almost jumping a 20 foot ditch... The panel was one of the casualties, in addition to a broken lug on one of the headlight lenses, and a LOT of clay packed in the wheels and turn signal, but no major damage. The turn signal continued to work, even though it was packed in clay! As for your 300CE, when was the last time you changed the antifreeze? How's the radiator? My 240D seldom gets over 90C when stuck in Fort Worth traffic on a 100 degree day. If you turn off the A/C, does the temperature drop? If so, your radiator may have some corrosion blocking the tubes. If not, is your aux radiator fan running? If it's been more than a year since you changed the antifreeze, I'd pick up a couple of gallons from your local dealer and a bottle of Redline Water Wetter (I got it at Pep Boys) and do the coolant change dance. If you've got the green stuff in the system, you'll have to do 2 or 3 drain and refill with water cycles to get it all out. I guess back flushing would be quicker, but more of a pain. When you refill, put in the Water Wetter and 6-7 quarts (in the case of my 240D) of antifreeze and top off with water until all the bubbles are gone. The Water Wetter is supposed to lower the operating temperature. I haven't tried it, but was going to this weekend, but I don't have enough MB antifreeze to do the job. All the reports I've heard about Water Wetter say that it works and works well. As for removing the panel, I don't think you'll see much difference. You could try it....what's the worst that could happen? The engine would get dirtier because of all the rain we get. Wait a minute...this is Texas. What's rain????? Perhaps John could enlighten us.... > Any opinions? (Probably one of the most fun pair of words on our lists) Try to top "John's MB's". He's been quite lately, but the fun will begin again! Jon '81 240D 281,702 mi. "Mathilde" Finally exorcised of her electrical gremlins! ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #601 *********************************