From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Tue Sep 9 13:02:57 2003 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Tuesday, September 9 2003 Volume 01 : Number 1210 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Re: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Re: [db] Sheet Metal RE: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) [db] radiator update RE: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... 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: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 01:32:02 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) I'm only laughing this hard because I've been there myself. Really. I'm laughing WITH you, not AT you. ;-) Alec > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net > [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Guy Carpenter > Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 1:18 AM > To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net > Subject: RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) > > > Yes, I know that one... > > One evening, not long after I bought my 300d, I was over > at a friends and I pulled the fuse box off the firewall > to get at the wires in the back (which turned out to > be pointless, but that's another story). I had to reassemble > in a hurry because of failing daylight. > > On the way home I stopped at the store to get some > milk, and found she wouldn't start. I was so > convinced I had shorted or disconnected something during > the reassembly that I immediately started checking > fuses and cables, and then pulling the fuse box back out > to look at where we had been working. Fiddly job in the dark > in the carpark. It was only after about 15 minutes with a flashlight > and a multimeter that it dawned on me; it was in D instead of P. > > Urm. Yes, well I'll be going now. > > > > > At 01:00 AM 9/09/2003 -0500, Alec Cordova wrote: > >At least you'll know what to check first if it ever happens > again, kind of > >like learning to check the automatic transmission gear selector > when you get > >absolutely no response while trying to start the engine. At least once or > >twice a year I manage to turn my car off still in D. Since I > always set the > >parking brake, I don't notice my mistake until I get the flash > of panic when > >turning the key to Start causes complete silence. I then look > down, push it > >up into Park, and breathe a big sigh of relief. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 03:57:45 -0400 From: "Dan Ligon" Subject: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Okay, I'm sold on mercedes and biodiesel. I've got 10K to spend...what's my best buy? Aka best year and model for someone not afraid to get their hands dirty. Thanks for the advice. Dan _______________ Dan Ligon featherweight productions (415) 517 5770 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 01:07:53 -0700 From: Kevin Pekarek Subject: Re: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) On Tue, Sep 09, 2003 at 01:32:02AM -0500, Alec Cordova wrote: > I'm only laughing this hard because I've been there myself. Really. I'm > laughing WITH you, not AT you. ;-) Me too. I disable safeties like that when I get a car - the clutch safety switch got disabled on the eagle that had it, and the 190D doesn't seem to have it. The only automatic I've done that to was the crown vic, which not only won't start unless in P or N, but also if the brake lights don't come on. Few minutes later, it would start in drive. Funny thing, it doesn't move all that fast when cranked in drive, but boy do the manual trannies :) Having been in a situation where I NEEDED to crank a car over in gear, I'm usually pretty quick about disabling safety crap like that. K - -- Kevin Pekarek Redwood City, CA (near San Francisco) and Los Osos, CA (near San Luis Obispo) 85 190D (601, 5spd) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 06:08:50 -0400 From: Robert Chase Subject: Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Dan, Lots of cars you can look at. The best Diesel engine is the OM-617 5cyl . Whell at least the most reliable that is. That engine comes in a few cars like the 123 and the 126. I guess what you would have to do is decide what kind of car you want. I have a 126 sedan and its quite enjoyable as its the S class model (the big one). My brother has a 123 which is still a nice car in different ways. Here is what a 126 looks like http://beostar.paunix.org/mbz They also have some newer diesels. The 124 201 and 140 bodies came with diesel engines as well as the 116. The numbers probably dont mean much to you though. Try doing a search on "mercedes diesel" on ebay and take a look at the cars that come up. While you may not want to buy there its a great place to see what the cars look like. There are a lot of schools of thought as "how much to spend" on a car. My thoughts are as follows. Buy a complete car with no rust that runs and drives well and has most options functional. It can be cosmetically fair to good. Try to get the best price and start the repair process. You will learn a lot going through each system doing minor repair work. A perfect car is only as good as your luck and is not worth spending top dollar on because systems do fail. If you get enough of a good deal you have room to absorb surprises (like when your pristine high dollar Benz suddenly looses and A/C compressor with no warning). By all means though if you find a good deal on a perfect car buy it (be sure to give me the name and address of the dealer first Ill make sure its a good deal ok) Good luck and keep us posted on what you end up with. I have owned many cars new and used in my life so far but I have enjoyed my Mercedes the most. Its a safe and reliable and cheap to own and operate vehicle. And its more reliable than my swiss watch :) Robert Chase Dan Ligon wrote: > Okay, I'm sold on mercedes and biodiesel. > > I've got 10K to spend...what's my best buy? > > Aka best year and model for someone not afraid to get their hands dirty. > > Thanks for the advice. > > Dan > _______________ > Dan Ligon > featherweight productions > (415) 517 5770 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 06:27:27 -0700 From: Greg Fiorentino Subject: RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) At 11:00 PM 9/8/03 , Alec Cordova wrote: >My money says ignore this completely. I bet someone bumped the hazard lights >switch a little. When that puppy is not cleanly switched off, turn signals >are completely unavailable. This happened to me with my 300D a while back, and someone from this list set me straight. I have since come to realize that the flasher switch is not working perfectly. A new switch (they are fairly pricey I understand, maybe $25-30) would solve this, or possibly some DeOxit sprayed into the switch. But I have gotten used to touching the switch when my turn signals don't activate. Greg Greg Fiorentino Vancouver USA gfior-at-dslnorthwest.net '84 300D Turbo '79 300TD '85 F-350 6.9 crew cab ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 07:23:50 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... where are you located? there's a nice clean 300d (123) up the highway from me. It's over by Woodinville, WA. Haven't looked at the details... it's not good for me to get too close to vehicles that are for sale. ;) john On Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Dan Ligon wrote: >-->Okay, I'm sold on mercedes and biodiesel. >--> >-->I've got 10K to spend...what's my best buy? >--> >-->Aka best year and model for someone not afraid to get their hands dirty. >--> >-->Thanks for the advice. >--> >-->Dan >-->_______________ >-->Dan Ligon >-->featherweight productions >-->(415) 517 5770 >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. Suggestions: email in plain text w/o attachments, and trust Jesus. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The revolt is underway, the penguin is coming... I can hear the slap of his little feet... and the squishing of worms and sco lawyers under them... - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 10:25:33 -0400 From: "Jim Steere" Subject: Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... - ----- Original Message ----- From: "john" To: "Dan Ligon" Cc: Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 10:23 AM Subject: Re: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... > where are you located? there's a nice clean 300d (123) up > the highway from me. It's over by Woodinville, WA. Haven't > looked at the details... it's not good for me to get too > close to vehicles that are for sale. ;) I know that feeling, John.... 850 miles in my transport last weekend and two more in the lot...... Jim Steere Everything Automotive Crystal, MI www.usedbenzparts.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 11:27:44 -0400 From: "Jim Hoffman" Subject: Re: [db] Sheet Metal Well, I called them and the lady on the phone was very nice. It seems they get their stuff from some outfit in Sweden. She doesn't have any of the rear pans in stock. Claims the Swedish place wants to discontinue them. She had full floor pans. Rear was $66.15, full was $99. She wasn't sure but thought they were between 22-24 guage steel. I'm not sure how that compares to original sheet metal used on the car. But $99 for a full pan sure seems inexpensive to me. I thought someone said Rusty had them for over $300. The only bad thing was that these aren't *exact*. They don't have the special *pads* for the seats to mount. I'd have to do that myself. Maybe that's why the others are more expensive. Any thoughts guys?? Jim/ '83 240D > I can't even get them to answer an email, Jim.... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 11:06:38 -0500 From: "Sam Williams" <1sam-at-io.com> Subject: RE: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Dan, 1985+ 300D with 123 body. Buy the cleanest example you can find--there should be many to choose from. Before buying, get a Pre Purchase Inspection from MB dealer or independent. Fix all the details they find in the PPI with what remains of your $10K. You should have sufficient left over for a party to celebrate. You got good recommendations from others but I recommend this. They are sturdy, bullet-proof cars. They are top of the mechanical arts, before excessive plastic and electronics added unreliability along with gee-wiz cup holders, etc. They are comfortable, safe and even came with an optional extra tank--you may find one at a recycler if you plan to do a dual tank biodiesel thing. Also, parts remain available at the dealer and 3rd parties--at surprisingly affordable prices. 123s are very popular cars and support is widely available. The 126 is more luxurious but will eat more of your budget. In any case, the 617 engine is ideal, will not require replacing rubber seals, hoses, etc. for biodiesel. There is much experience with biodiesel on 123s with 617s. Have fun, Sam - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of Dan Ligon Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 2:58 AM To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Subject: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... Okay, I'm sold on mercedes and biodiesel. I've got 10K to spend...what's my best buy? Aka best year and model for someone not afraid to get their hands dirty. Thanks for the advice. Dan _______________ Dan Ligon featherweight productions (415) 517 5770 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 09:38:00 -0700 (PDT) From: hue wong Subject: RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) Yup, I can't swear by it, because I was flipping switches like a mad man, but I do think that the hazzards switch got tripped, It felt a little stuck when I flipped it. So far the blinkers work fine and I just poured another half tank o french fry greese in this morning, boy I am loving this.... Got 32 mph on the last tank... - --- Alec Cordova wrote: > My money says ignore this completely. I bet someone > bumped the hazard lights > switch a little. When that puppy is not cleanly > switched off, turn signals > are completely unavailable. > > At least you'll know what to check first if it ever > happens again, kind of > like learning to check the automatic transmission > gear selector when you get > absolutely no response while trying to start the > engine. At least once or > twice a year I manage to turn my car off still in D. > Since I always set the > parking brake, I don't notice my mistake until I get > the flash of panic when > turning the key to Start causes complete silence. I > then look down, push it > up into Park, and breathe a big sigh of relief. > > Alec > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net > > [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of > hue wong > > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 10:05 PM > > To: hue wong; J.B. Hebert > > Cc: diesel-benz-at-digest.net > > Subject: Re: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td > (update) > > > > > > So I mossy out tot the car and flip the hazzards > on, > > at the recomendation of fellow listers, > > The flashers fire up nice and strong, then for fun > I > > try the blinker. Yup, everything works fine after > I > > ran some power through the hazzzards.. > > > > So now I am uber fearful of an electrical > gremblin, or > > could this just be that relay going bad? Is it > time > > to replace it? Anyone know how easy and how much > the > > part is? > > Thanx > > -hue- > > > > --- hue wong wrote: > > > MMMMM I usta have to replace the "flash can" in > my > > > 71 > > > vw bug on a semi-regular basis. This was some > sort > > > of > > > rehostate/capacitor/resistor type thing that ran > the > > > flash. It was located under the back seats. > > > I'm wondering if this might be the defective > unit in > > > question.... > > > > > > --- "J.B. Hebert" wrote: > > > > It could be the actual blinker unit. Do the > > > hazards > > > > work? I'd have to > > > > check my wiring diagrams, but I think the > hazards > > > > and the turn signals use > > > > a common blinker. > > > > > > > > J.B. > > > > > > > > At 01:20 PM 9/8/2003 -0700, you wrote: > > > > >So I just noticed this morning that my > blinkers > > > are > > > > >out on my 81 300td. > > > > > > > > > >All four blinkers are out and nothing on the > > > > dashboard > > > > >indicator lights when I flip the lever on the > > > > >streeting coloum. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >So, my question for the group. What should I > be > > > > >looking for to debug this problem. Is there > some > > > > sort > > > > >of neuance like "is the right rear blinker > bulb > > > > burned > > > > >out, then all four will fail" or anything > like > > > > that? > > > > >I just checked the fuses at the box and all > looks > > > > good > > > > >there? Is there any other fuse i should > check? > > > > (they > > > > >sometimes put these things in the strangest > > > > spots!!!) > > > > > > > > > >My little voice is telling me that maybe the > > > coloum > > > > >switch broke, but I have no evidence of that. > > > Just > > > > no > > > > >blinker lights.. > > > > > > > > > >Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. > > > > >-hue- > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >__________________________________ > > > > >Do you Yahoo!? > > > > >Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web > site > > > > design software > > > > >http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > __________________________________ > > > Do you Yahoo!? > > > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site > > > design software > > > http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com > > > > > > __________________________________ > > Do you Yahoo!? > > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site > design software > > http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 13:00:36 -0400 From: Mike Frank Subject: RE: [db] blinkers out on a 81 300td (update) I think the actual flasher relay is built into the hazard switch on the 123's. So when the switch goes, you have a problem with the directionals, as well. Mike Frank At 09:38 AM 9/9/2003 -0700, hue wong wrote: >Yup, I can't swear by it, because I was flipping >switches like a mad man, but I do think that the >hazzards switch got tripped, It felt a little stuck >when I flipped it. So far the blinkers work fine and >I just poured another half tank o french fry greese in >this morning, boy I am loving this.... Got 32 mph on >the last tank... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 11:52:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Anaeis N Subject: [db] radiator update Today I made an order to replace the radiator, the thermostat, upper, lower, by-pass hoses, thermostat housing and overflow (is that a hose or something else?) The water pump was replaced in '91, so I'm going to keep that one for awhile. Is the hose that Sam mentioned that goes from the water pump housing to the engine called the by-pass hose? My mechanic didn't seem too familiar with a citric acid flush, and said that it would probably be unneccessary since I was replacing most of the system. Would you agree? And I specified for them to use the MB coolant. Does 50/50 indicate 50% water, 50% coolant? Why not use it at full concentration? Thanks again for helping out, guys! I feel good about the repair now. :) R Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 11:50:25 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: RE: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... if you drive a 124 series you'll be hooked... john On Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Sam Williams wrote: >-->Dan, >--> >-->1985+ 300D with 123 body. >--> >-->Buy the cleanest example you can find--there should be many to choose >-->from. Before buying, get a Pre Purchase Inspection from MB dealer or >-->independent. Fix all the details they find in the PPI with what >-->remains of your $10K. You should have sufficient left over for >-->a party to celebrate. >--> >-->You got good recommendations from others but I recommend this. They >-->are sturdy, bullet-proof cars. They are top of the mechanical arts, >-->before excessive plastic and electronics added unreliability along >-->with gee-wiz cup holders, etc. They are comfortable, safe and even >-->came with an optional extra tank--you may find one at a recycler if >-->you plan to do a dual tank biodiesel thing. Also, parts remain >-->available at the dealer and 3rd parties--at surprisingly affordable >-->prices. 123s are very popular cars and support is widely available. >--> >-->The 126 is more luxurious but will eat more of your budget. >--> >-->In any case, the 617 engine is ideal, will not require replacing >-->rubber seals, hoses, etc. for biodiesel. There is much experience >-->with biodiesel on 123s with 617s. >--> >-->Have fun, >--> >-->Sam >--> >--> >-->-----Original Message----- >-->From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net] On >-->Behalf Of Dan Ligon >-->Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 2:58 AM >-->To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net >-->Subject: [db] Lurker looking to leap in.... >--> >-->Okay, I'm sold on mercedes and biodiesel. >--> >-->I've got 10K to spend...what's my best buy? >--> >-->Aka best year and model for someone not afraid to get their hands dirty. >--> >-->Thanks for the advice. >--> >-->Dan >-->_______________ >-->Dan Ligon >-->featherweight productions >-->(415) 517 5770 >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. Suggestions: email in plain text w/o attachments, and trust Jesus. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The revolt is underway, the penguin is coming... I can hear the slap of his little feet... and the squishing of worms and sco lawyers under them... - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #1210 **********************************