From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Wed Oct 12 20:42:17 2005 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Thursday, October 13 2005 Volume 01 : Number 1984 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? [db] 300D Vacuum pump [db] W124/602 emissions Re: [db] W124/602 emissions Re: [db] W124/602 emissions Re: [db] the saga of the 124 Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] W124/602 emissions [db] weather, was 124 saga Re: [db] W124/602 emissions Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? [db] Third World Car Repair 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, 11 Oct 2005 20:37:18 -0400 From: "Richard P. Welty" Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? On Oct 11, 2005, at 2:04 AM, john wrote: > funny piece in netscape news though: > ``We've got people out trying out the four-wheel-drive vehicles, > and they're finding out they don't work very well,'' spokesman > Steve Sperry said. > it's the driver... not the vehicle... :) > (of course if it's a Jeep it's both. ;) some of it is the tires, of course. i first observed this 20 years ago, when early adapters of 4wd/awd cars thought they didn't need to buy snow tires because they had all powered wheels. they rarely appreciated my observation that when the brake pedal is all the way to the floor, awd is largely irrelevant. richard ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 17:50:29 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? you got that right... 4wd is great for getting going, but stopping is the exciting part... tires make all the difference in the world at that point... I'll go up a mountain or hill as fast as I can, but coming down little old ladies are likely to pass me. ;) (hopefully NOT with the brake pedal to the floor... :) ah yes, looking forward to at least one Seattle snow... might happen this year... only had one last year... in January I think... john On Tue, 11 Oct 2005, Richard P. Welty wrote: > -->On Oct 11, 2005, at 2:04 AM, john wrote: > -->> funny piece in netscape news though: > --> > -->> ``We've got people out trying out the four-wheel-drive vehicles, > -->> and they're finding out they don't work very well,'' spokesman > -->> Steve Sperry said. > --> > -->> it's the driver... not the vehicle... :) > -->> (of course if it's a Jeep it's both. ;) > --> > -->some of it is the tires, of course. i first observed this 20 years ago, > -->when early adapters of 4wd/awd cars thought they didn't need to buy snow > -->tires because they had all powered wheels. they rarely appreciated my > -->observation that when the brake pedal is all the way to the floor, > -->awd is largely irrelevant. > --> > -->richard > --> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:18:03 +0000 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? That's the one thing I miss living here in the Seattle area: snow. It's just not the same having to drive to the snow as it is having it right outside your door. Granted, I don't want 16 feet of it, but a few two-footer storms spaced over the winter season would be nice... :) (And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) - -bkc Lynnwood, WA '76 MB 240D/W115.117/616.916 '00 MB ML320/W163.154/M112.942 '93 MB 300D/W124.128/602.962 On Tue Oct 11, 2005, john wrote: > > you got that right... 4wd is great for getting going, > but stopping is the exciting part... tires make all the difference in > the world at that point... > > I'll go up a mountain or hill as fast as I can, but coming down little > old ladies are likely to pass me. ;) (hopefully NOT with the brake pedal > to the floor... :) > > ah yes, looking forward to at least one Seattle snow... might happen > this year... only had one last year... in January I think... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 18:20:42 -0700 From: Kevin Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? On Wed, Oct 12, 2005 at 01:18:03AM +0000, Bruce Caruthers wrote: > Granted, I don't want 16 feet of it, but a few > two-footer storms spaced over the winter season > would be nice... :) > > (And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) It doesn't. If anything, it brings them out with an invitation to do their stupidest. K ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 21:27:47 -0400 From: "Richard P. Welty" Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? On Oct 11, 2005, at 9:20 PM, Kevin wrote: > On Wed, Oct 12, 2005 at 01:18:03AM +0000, Bruce Caruthers wrote: >> (And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) > It doesn't. If anything, it brings them out with an invitation to do > their stupidest. yes, the first real storm of the season is always festive around here. richard ("mister car, meet mister ditch. mister ditch, meet mister car.") ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:30:58 +0000 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? On Tue Oct 11, 2005, Kevin wrote: > > > > (And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) > > It doesn't. If anything, it brings them out with an invitation to do > their stupidest. True. But where I grew up (NY), the idiots were rarely out again (one way or another) after the first real storm. The rest of us were just extra careful during the first storm of the season. :) - -bkc ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 21:07:41 -0700 (PDT) From: "Jerry Kaidor" Subject: [db] 300D Vacuum pump Hi guys, It's not out of the realm of possibility that I will have to remove & replace the vacuum pump on my '85 300D tomorrow. Luckily, I have a spare. One quick question - if anybody's done it, I notice that the pump is pretty low on the block. Does the engine oil fall out when you remove it? - Jerry Kaidor ( jerry-at-tr2.com ) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 04:46:08 +0000 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: [db] W124/602 emissions So, now that I've made it back to Washington with my newly acquired W124/602, I need to get it emissions checked before I can register it. How good are these cars at passing the Washington State emissions tests? (My W115 is old enough that it is exempt, so I haven't had to care before.) It has a minor crack/leak in its exhaust line, but overall *seems* fine to this non-mechanic (me). The question is, should I just go in and have it tested as is, or are there any checks or fixes I should do before I spend the money at the testing station? Thanks! -bkc Lynnwood, WA '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] '00 MB ML320 [W163.154/M112.942] '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 22:00:52 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] W124/602 emissions you won't have a single problem... unless of course there is a problem... but I don't think there is. ;) john On Wed, 12 Oct 2005, Bruce Caruthers wrote: >-->So, now that I've made it back to Washington with >-->my newly acquired W124/602, I need to get it >-->emissions checked before I can register it. >--> >-->How good are these cars at passing the Washington >-->State emissions tests? (My W115 is old enough >-->that it is exempt, so I haven't had to care >-->before.) It has a minor crack/leak in its exhaust >-->line, but overall *seems* fine to this non-mechanic >-->(me). The question is, should I just go in and >-->have it tested as is, or are there any checks or >-->fixes I should do before I spend the money at the >-->testing station? >--> >-->Thanks! >--> -bkc >-->Lynnwood, WA >-->'76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] >-->'00 MB ML320 [W163.154/M112.942] >-->'93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 21:56:55 -0700 From: Charles Redell Subject: Re: [db] W124/602 emissions I may be wrong, but if you fail the first test, I think the second test is free. but you can check. information should be available somewhere on access.wa.gov . Also, the emissions station in South Seattle has a guy sitting right next door with a van and a portable emissions thing. He will, for a low price, adjust your idle so you can turn right back around and pass should you fail. You may also fill a tank up with biodiesel. That stuff is so clean the machine won't even register it. Ok, it's not that clean, but when I got my 300d, I got a score of 2. Failing is like 20. Besides, running on biodiesel is good for the environment AND requires no coversion. I've been following your trek only a bit, so am not sure where you are, but if you want to get biodiesel in Seattle, go to laurelhurstoil.com. Easiest place to get it without prepaying for a bunch and they always have it on hand at their station behind the u village. And they even take cards now I think. Good luck and welcome back! Charlie On 10/11/05, Bruce Caruthers wrote: > > So, now that I've made it back to Washington with > my newly acquired W124/602, I need to get it > emissions checked before I can register it. > > How good are these cars at passing the Washington > State emissions tests? (My W115 is old enough > that it is exempt, so I haven't had to care > before.) It has a minor crack/leak in its exhaust > line, but overall *seems* fine to this non-mechanic > (me). The question is, should I just go in and > have it tested as is, or are there any checks or > fixes I should do before I spend the money at the > testing station? > > Thanks! > -bkc > Lynnwood, WA > '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] > '00 MB ML320 [W163.154/M112.942] > '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] > - -- Proud owner of an 84 300d turbo running B100 (if you don't know what this means, just ask!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 06:10:59 -0700 (PDT) From: Jerome Kaidor Subject: Re: [db] the saga of the 124 Kevin wrote: > > Someone remind me why I shouldn't move... > *** The weather. - Jerry Kaidor ( jerry-at-tr2.com ) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:57:43 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? On Wed, 12 Oct 2005, Bruce Caruthers wrote: >-->That's the one thing I miss living here in the >-->Seattle area: snow. It's just not the same having >-->to drive to the snow as it is having it right >-->outside your door. >--> >-->Granted, I don't want 16 feet of it, but a few >-->two-footer storms spaced over the winter season >-->would be nice... :) where were you in '96??? http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/escape.html note carefully the full size jeep with 2" of lift and larger tires: http://www.wagoneers.com/.images/halfway.jpg http://www.wagoneers.com/.images/saturdaydrive.jpg you missed all the fun, roofs collapsing, boats sinking, semi's getting stuck... http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/18wheels.html >-->(And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) not a chance... ;) >--> >-->-bkc >-->Lynnwood, WA >-->'76 MB 240D/W115.117/616.916 >-->'00 MB ML320/W163.154/M112.942 >-->'93 MB 300D/W124.128/602.962 >--> >-->On Tue Oct 11, 2005, john wrote: >-->> >-->> you got that right... 4wd is great for getting going, >-->> but stopping is the exciting part... tires make all the difference in >-->> the world at that point... >-->> >-->> I'll go up a mountain or hill as fast as I can, but coming down little >-->> old ladies are likely to pass me. ;) (hopefully NOT with the brake pedal >-->> to the floor... :) >-->> >-->> ah yes, looking forward to at least one Seattle snow... might happen >-->> this year... only had one last year... in January I think... >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 10:00:32 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] W124/602 emissions On Tue, 11 Oct 2005, Charles Redell wrote: >-->I may be wrong, but if you fail the first test, I think the second test is >-->free. nope, you get at least the 2nd try free, possibly the third... I've had a few vehicles fail... and if you spend something like $150 trying to fix it and it doesn't get fixed you're exempt... john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 10:07:01 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] weather, was 124 saga On Wed, 12 Oct 2005, Jerome Kaidor wrote: >-->Kevin wrote: >-->> Someone remind me why I shouldn't move... >-->*** The weather. >--> - Jerry Kaidor ( jerry-at-tr2.com ) that's right gentlemen... how could anyone possibly want to live in California with all that sunshine? Just remember it rains here in the Pacific NorthWest ALL the time... nasty, moldy, green... terrible, damp, wet, did I say moldy? I think people should move AWAY from this terrible place... soon... like before the drive at 5... ;) To verify that I'm not making this up, please examine the following data: http://wagoneers.com/MISC/Sunshine.html all of those here who want sunshine, please pick any place on the list but here and move... please... now... U-hauls are standing by for your convenience, oh yeah, be happy to buy you a latte for your trip to the land of sunshine... ;) john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 11:35:45 -0700 From: John Fieber Subject: Re: [db] W124/602 emissions On Oct 11, 2005, at 9:46 PM, Bruce Caruthers wrote: > How good are these cars at passing the Washington > State emissions tests? Depends on where you register. Tests are not required at all in places. That said, I sort of wish they were. It is no fun being stuck behind a SuperFund Site On Wheels. - -john ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 19:33:48 -0400 From: "Richard P. Welty" Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? On Oct 12, 2005, at 12:57 PM, john wrote: >> -->(And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) > not a chance... ;) last september, in rainy rush hour traffic on I-90 in albany, my alfa sedan got a honda suppository (it was start stop traffic, and the honda driver only got the start part right.) i told the body shop not to rush, they could fit the work in over the winter (i went out and pick up a ratty 93 civic to get through the winter.) in the spring, they were fairly embarrassed with their lack of progress. it would seem that things never got slow, the idiot drivers kept running into stuff all season long. i didn't get the car back until after memorial day. sigh, richard ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:55:13 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] 20 inches of snow? now THAT was a funny description... a honda suppository... :) I'm going to build a special "filter" on the back of my J10 to strain such items out... :) john On Wed, 12 Oct 2005, Richard P. Welty wrote: > --> > -->On Oct 12, 2005, at 12:57 PM, john wrote: > -->> > --> (And might cull out some of the worst drivers...) > --> > -->> not a chance... ;) > --> > -->last september, in rainy rush hour traffic on I-90 in albany, my alfa > -->sedan got a honda suppository (it was start stop traffic, and the > -->honda driver only got the start part right.) > --> > -->i told the body shop not to rush, they could fit the work in over > -->the winter (i went out and pick up a ratty 93 civic to get through > -->the winter.) > --> > -->in the spring, they were fairly embarrassed with their lack of > -->progress. it would seem that things never got slow, the idiot > -->drivers kept running into stuff all season long. i didn't get the > -->car back until after memorial day. > --> > -->sigh, > -->richard > --> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 20:25:06 -0700 (PDT) From: "Jerry Kaidor" Subject: [db] Third World Car Repair BOY, Am I tired.... I'm not used to this stuff anymore. After running around doing errands all morning I set to work on the 300D around noontime. The vacuum gauge told a sad tale: when you tap on the brake, the vacuum went to zilch - and took its sweet time coming back up again. So the vacuum pump was (almost) TU. I pulled out my spare. The spare was the finest kind - the two-piston version. The pump in there was the worst kind - the single-diaphragm one. So the replacement would be an improvement. Popped the old pump out with some difficulty - had to run down to the store for a set of metric allen wrenches. The old pump came out with a broken gasket. So down to the Mercedes dealer for a new gasket "Oh, I'm sorry, we don't have any of those. And it looks like L.A. doesn't have'm either. We'll have to order it from Germany. Urk. What do you do when you want the car NOW, and the gasket is in Germany? You make one, that's what! According to the manual, the gasket was supposed to be 0.2mm thick - which is about .007 inches. The thinnest gasket stock I could get at the store was .030". I think it actually matters, because the innards of the engine actually PUSH on a lever in the pump. So I made a gasket out of some .008" dead soft aluminum sheet that I had laying around. Punched the holes with the ole Roper Whitney and nibbled out the inside with a nibbler. Hope it works - I "helped" it with a liberal coating of Permatex Hi-Tack. Next challenge was that the manifold hose end was not appropriate for the new pump - bent the wrong way. So I vised it and battered it into submission. Just in case any of the bash marks were too deep, I slathered them with hitemp silicone and wrapped the pipe with electrical tape. Want the car NOW, dammit! Then the radiator shroud broke - so I laced it back together with steel wire. Car is back together, vacuum is healthy. Beddie-bye time for Jerry... - Jerry "3rd World Mech" Kaidor ( jerry-at-tr2.com ) ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #1984 **********************************