From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Fri Feb 25 04:18:56 2005 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Thursday, February 24 2005 Volume 01 : Number 1755 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] clogged diesel fuel filters [db] diesel prices Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed Re: [db] CarFax - is a ripoff... [db] Re: diesel prices Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed Re: [db] C200/C220 CDI Sport Coupe? Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed Re: [db] Re: diesel prices Re: [db] C200/C220 CDI Sport Coupe? Re: [db] CarFax - is a ripoff... Re: [db] CarFax - is a ripoff... Re: [db] Re: diesel prices 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: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 23:03:26 -0500 From: "wmpless" Subject: [db] clogged diesel fuel filters Hi, To the advice Alec gave would like to mention that if the in-line filter has is getting full of crud that you better have spare main filter in your trunk as well. When you drive with higher rpms there seems to enough suction to get the fuel thru the filters. However, if your car stalls at a traffic light or decelerates too much from higher speeds you most likely have dirt in your filter. My first 190D never had a problems with dirt in the fuel but with my current one for quite some time the filters were always clogging up. Previous owner did not drive the car enough Wiard Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 08:51:13 -0600 From: acordova-at-texas.net Subject: Re: [db] car for Jan Quoting Paul Brown : > How do I know that the main fuel filter is plugged and needs > replacement? The in-line filter is easily monitored by sight, but not > so the main filter. > > wmpless wrote: > > > Hi, > > based on personal experience would strongly suggest you get for your trip > home > > the main and the in-line fuel filters > > You replace it based on time or mileage, before it gets clogged up. Or for under nine bucks from Rusty, you just replace it now. I imagine if it gets clogged from algae or other gunk in the fuel, you would get standard symptoms of fuel starvation: lower power, especially at higher engine speeds, maybe some hesitations or rougher idle, etc. Alec ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 08:45:03 -0600 (Central Standard Time) From: "Pearson B. Potts" Subject: [db] diesel prices Paid $1.799 yesterday at Wal-Mart in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The price is down $.02 from last week. It's a good thing because I have to fill up every 2-3 days with 180 miles driven each day. The '85 300SD, getting ready to turn 200K, loves the hard work on the highway back and forth to New Orleans every day. Pearson - -------Original Message------- From: Jim Hoffman Date: 02/23/05 08:28:56 To: Subject: Re: diesel prices, was Re: [db] Honest Competent Mechanics $2.029 two weeks ago, then down to $1.999 last week, now back up to $2.029 again yesterday... Jim/ S.E. Wisconsin ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:58:44 -0800 From: john meister Subject: Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed this same thing happens with full size jeeps... of course if you're driving a full size jeep and another full size jeep is following you, it's pretty obvious what's up. ;) john scott_haaland-at-agilent.com wrote: > Alec and Waylon, > > You have to admit...it is a strange sickness that causes some abnormal > socially unacceptable behavior. The funny thing is that I can imagine > following someone if I were in the right place at the right time to learn more > about a nice benz.... Do you think we all need treatment? I guess Waylon's > treatment plan is to just try to buy every diesel benz he can find, but it > doesn't seem to be working! > > Somebody help! > > ;) > Scott > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net > [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of acordova-at-texas.net > Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 9:00 AM > To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net > Subject: Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed > > > Quoting "Black, Waylon" : > > >>While running some errands I caught up to a 2.2 190D. He took the same >>exit I did so I followed for a couple of miles just for giggles. He was >>on the way to work. I asked him if he was interested in selling and he >>would sell it for $1500. Car is a 5 speed(drool) but had 300K miles. >>Champagne in color with maroon interior. The outside looked great but >>the inside was falling apart. >> >>The 5 speed makes it very tempting. >> >>What kind of mileage does a 5 speed 190D get? >> >>How much life is left from a 2.2 diesel with 300K miles? It seemed to >>run well and I couldn't see any smoke when I was following it. >> >>Thanks, >>Waylon Black >>Little Elm, Texas >> >> > > > I did that once a zillion years ago. I saw an early 60's W110 190 sedan on > the > road after leaving work late one night and followed him to his apartment. I > made the guy really nervous by following him so obviously. At the time, we > had > a 1963 190c sedan that we were not in a financial position to maintain. (It > was our first Benz; started the addiction; needed a clutch, among other > things.) I wasn't following him in our Benz, but in an 84 Jetta. > > After I convinced the guy I wasn't going to mug him, we started talking. > Turns > out he and his father liked to restore W110s, and they ended up buying ours. > They even brought it back by after they finished and let us drive it a while. > > So does this mean we Benzaholics can be a really scary bunch? > > Alec ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:06:23 -0800 From: john meister Subject: Re: [db] CarFax - is a ripoff... just don't spend any money doing it... car fax is as big of a user of FUD as microsoft... I've checked the VINs of four vehicles I've either totalled and rebuilt, bought from auctions and rebuilt or bought from auctions that were theft recoveries... ALL CHECKED OUT OK WITH CARFAX.... One vehicle was Revin'd by the State police... it was stolen in Canada, captured in WA state... two different insurance companies were involved, bought it at an auction as a theft recovery vehicle, had to retitle it... BOTH VINs CHECKED OUT OK WITH CARFAX. I recount these stories to car dealers and lots and they have many similar stories... but people want this FUD "assurance"... guess they don't want that pickup truck driven into the pond by that farmer's dog... like CARFAX would know about that... BTW, one of those vehicles had been TOTALLED and RETITLED TWICE... the second time it was sold off at an auction... CARFAX is a ripoff... plain and simple... If you want REAL information, take that VIN to the Mercedes service and / or parts department and ask them if all the recalls have been handled and if the vehicle has been serviced properly. That information will be valid. I had more information on my Mercedes from the dealership and warranty book that came with the car then I got from carfax... john Roger Conlon wrote: > Can some one run a vin check please > WDBCA35D3JA399164 > > Thanks > Roger > > _________________________________________________________________ > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:10:45 -0800 From: john meister Subject: [db] Re: diesel prices the shell station on exit 186 on I-5 in Everett shot up to $2.69 (or was it 65?) today... I never buy there... years ago I got bad Diesel there... but my station is at $2.59 now... :( regular unleaded $2.04 ) I'm thinking of finding a restaurant and filling the Jimmy up with their waste oil... if the filters clog, just bypass 'em... ;) how much damage could a french fry do to an injector anyway? ;) john Jim Hoffman wrote: > $2.029 two weeks ago, then down to $1.999 last week, now back up to > $2.029 again yesterday... > > Jim/ > > S.E. Wisconsin > > >>$2.53 for Diesel at the exit on I-5... it's creeping up daily... :( >> >>john >> >>Kevin Pekarek wrote: >> >>>On Mon, Feb 21, 2005 at 11:00:19AM -0800, john meister wrote: >>> >>> >>>>I heard on Paul Harvey this morning that the nation average >>>>for all grades was about $1.98. The lowest I've seen >>>>for unleaded is about $1.95, we pay $1.99 at shell... Diesel >>>>is at $2.49 to $2.55 out here... I think our state has higher >>>>fuel taxes... thank you Democratic party of Washington state... >>>>let's see if you can run off other businesses... doesn't seem >>>>to run off the Californians... and what's worse is all the rain >>>>in California is probably going to cause more of 'em to move north. ;) >>> >>> >>>$2.19 a gallon here in Walnut Creek, last night in Livingston(?), it was >>>$2.23 a gallon to top off the powerchoke to get it home after rescuing it >>>from the clutches of my poor brother who hasn't had to learn how to start a >>>v8 diesel in the snow at 6000 feet with three dead glow plugs and a weenie >>>starter. >>> >>>Upside: I can safely say I am one of the few native californians who has ever >>>swapped out glow plugs on a diesel while it was cold and snowing. >>> >>>(that's an upside?) >>> >>>Downside: it still needed a starter to be swapped in, due to the spark that >>>launched out of it, and all the burnt stuff sitting on it. Good thing I brought >>>the spare. The get me home box for this truck is getting ridiculous. Anyone >>>know of an IDI five speed for sale? :) >>> >>>Oh, and don't worry, if WA needs help running off businesses, they need only >>>look to those transplanted californians. Don't worry, they're still complaining >>>about their multimillion dollar houses sliding down the hill every time it >>>rains, so I don't think the *rains* are going to force them North. >>> >>>K ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 07:27:09 +0000 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed A few months ago, I wished I had the chance to follow another Benz that looked just like mine. I think its driver was as startled as I was (not often I run into another "golden delicious apple green" '76 240D). Unfortunately, I had to get somewhere by a specific time. :( Saw her at 28th and Larch in Lynnwood (or is it Mountlake Terrace there? Or Bothell? Brier? I have trouble figuring out exactly where the borders of the towns are...) Haven't seen the car since. Only the third car of that model and color I have seen, other than my own, since my mom got this one in '76. (Still miss my dad's old '67 230. But it rusted out after 13 years in NY.) - -bkc Lynnwood, WA '76 MB 240D '00 MB ML320 On Wed Feb 23, 2005, scott_haaland-at-agilent.com wrote: > Alec and Waylon, > > You have to admit...it is a strange sickness that causes some abnormal > socially unacceptable behavior. The funny thing is that I can imagine > following someone if I were in the right place at the right time to learn more > about a nice benz.... Do you think we all need treatment? I guess Waylon's > treatment plan is to just try to buy every diesel benz he can find, but it > doesn't seem to be working! > > Somebody help! > > ;) > Scott ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 07:41:55 +0000 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: Re: [db] C200/C220 CDI Sport Coupe? On Wed Feb 23, 2005, acordova-at-texas.net wrote: > It may be affected by what state you're in, but I'd start at the EPA website. > I think they had a link somewhere up there about importing individual cars. I'm in Washington, just north of Seattle. They seem to have some options for a US version with the engine replaced (when imported via a licensed import company). I wonder how much changes from the US version? Could a US version be built with a diesel (hopefully at the factory) and then imported? (May be getting pricey then, of course...) Fuel system and engine would change of course, and possibly the computer, but what else would need to change? > Not sure if this affects it, but MB no longer offers the C coupe in the US as > of 2005 model year. That's too bad... The others are just so expensive for what they are. I don't care about all the luxury stuff, I just like the handling, reliability (although I have been rethinking the reliability after my experiences with the ML) and safety. Occasionally looking at the eBay listings for the gas versions. Maybe will try to swing some sort of deal at the end of the season for a floor model if I don't make any progress on the CDI option... > Do they make the coupe in that C30 CDI AMG version? Not as far as I know, but there is a petrol AMG version ("petrol" since I am looking at the UK website). > You would definitely be > able to tell a difference from your 240D with that bad boy. ;-) Ooh, boy. I bet I would be able to, indeed! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 00:01:21 -0800 From: Kevin Pekarek Subject: Re: [db] 2.2 190 D/5 speed On Wed, Feb 23, 2005 at 09:58:44PM -0800, john meister wrote: > this same thing happens with full size jeeps... > > of course if you're driving a full size jeep and another full size jeep > is following you, it's pretty obvious what's up. ;) What, you're off road? :) Actually, it's the truth, I've had more KC's winked at me when driving either of the jeeps than I thought possible. It's another tight brotherhood, it seems. The diesel benz owners around here aren't really likely to wave/flick lights/ etc just because they see another diesel. They WILL come up and talk to you while you're filling up though :) K ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 00:05:07 -0800 From: Kevin Pekarek Subject: Re: [db] Re: diesel prices On Wed, Feb 23, 2005 at 10:10:45PM -0800, john meister wrote: > the shell station on exit 186 on I-5 in Everett shot up to $2.69 (or was it > 65?) today... I never buy there... years ago I got bad Diesel there... but > my station is at $2.59 now... :( regular unleaded $2.04 ) I got bad diesel at an olympian of all places in RWC. Other than that, I've had pretty good luck around here. It is about fifteen cents a gallon higher in RWC than in walnut creek, so I usually fill up at work. The difference over a tank of fuel pays the bridge toll :-/ > I'm thinking of finding a restaurant and filling the Jimmy up with their > waste oil... if the filters clog, just bypass 'em... ;) how much damage > could a french fry do to an injector anyway? ;) A 50/50 blend probably won't bother the jimmy at all. Especially with that big ol racor filter you have on it. If a french fry makes it through that filter, I'll come haul the carcass away for ya :) A 50/50 blend would drop your fuel costs down to about $1.30 a gallon. I think Hue lived near you and was playing around with this blend in his wagon not too long ago - wonder if he gave up for the winter? K ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 08:30:14 -0600 From: acordova-at-texas.net Subject: Re: [db] C200/C220 CDI Sport Coupe? If you're in Washington, check out Canada. The may have diesels up there, and bringing one in from there, especially as a used vehicle, may be more clearly defined and cheaper than trying to bring one over from Germany. MB in Germany would not be able to simply drop a diesel engine in a C class that they knew was headed for the US. Aside from getting particular engines certified by our friends in the government, they would have to train service people and provide parts and documentation. Alec ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 08:33:18 -0600 From: acordova-at-texas.net Subject: Re: [db] CarFax - is a ripoff... I suppose we could say, using technical language, that CarFax is readily subject to false negatives, but I doubt they get many false positives. If a CarFax report shows that bad things have happened to the car, it's probably true, and it's definitely useful. If they don't show anything bad, it's simply not a highly valid data point. But when was the last time you saw a CarFax report that actually showed bad things? Alec Quoting john meister : > just don't spend any money doing it... > > car fax is as big of a user of FUD as microsoft... > > I've checked the VINs of four vehicles I've either totalled and rebuilt, > bought from auctions and rebuilt or bought from auctions that were > theft recoveries... ALL CHECKED OUT OK WITH CARFAX.... > > One vehicle was Revin'd by the State police... it was stolen in > Canada, captured in WA state... two different insurance companies > were involved, bought it at an auction as a theft recovery vehicle, > had to retitle it... BOTH VINs CHECKED OUT OK WITH CARFAX. > > I recount these stories to car dealers and lots and they have many > similar stories... but people want this FUD "assurance"... guess > they don't want that pickup truck driven into the pond by that > farmer's dog... like CARFAX would know about that... > > BTW, one of those vehicles had been TOTALLED and RETITLED > TWICE... the second time it was sold off at an auction... > > CARFAX is a ripoff... plain and simple... > > If you want REAL information, take that VIN to the Mercedes > service and / or parts department and ask them if all the recalls > have been handled and if the vehicle has been serviced properly. > > That information will be valid. > > I had more information on my Mercedes from the dealership > and warranty book that came with the car then I got from carfax... > > john > > Roger Conlon wrote: > > Can some one run a vin check please > > WDBCA35D3JA399164 > > > > Thanks > > Roger > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. > > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 08:48:44 -0600 From: Jan Guthrie Subject: Re: [db] CarFax - is a ripoff... In my recent spate of car searches and Carfaxes ... I found out that one car has twice as much mileage as the advertised LOW, LOW mileage and one had been in FOUR accidents. Jan Guthrie 1985 300TD (waiting till I have the new one in my hands ...........) acordova-at-texas.net wrote: > I suppose we could say, using technical language, that CarFax is readily > subject to false negatives, but I doubt they get many false positives. If a > CarFax report shows that bad things have happened to the car, it's probably > true, and it's definitely useful. If they don't show anything bad, it's > simply > not a highly valid data point. > > But when was the last time you saw a CarFax report that actually showed bad > things? > > Alec ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:31:10 -0800 From: "Dan Jacobs" Subject: Re: [db] Re: diesel prices > I'm thinking of finding a restaurant and filling > the Jimmy up with their waste > oil... if the filters clog, just bypass 'em... > ;) how much damage could > a french fry do to an injector anyway? ;) > > john Have you talked you your cars doctor about Lipton brand cholesterol medication? Your car's doctor will know which medicine will work best for your car's high cholesterol. ;-) The WVO from restaurants need to be filtered well before using it in your car, but blending it with diesel should help the cost/gallon, unless it's cold enough at night to cloud up and keep it from starting the next morning. Use a little diesel anti gel for that? I'd try it, as long as I had another car to drive. Get back to us ASAP, John, OK? ;-) Diesel Dan ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #1755 **********************************