From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Sun Apr 27 20:41:59 2008 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Monday, April 28 2008 Volume 01 : Number 2736 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon [db] the 300GD test drive Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon Re: [db] dynamat sound proofing Re: [db] dynamat sound proofing [db] the 300GD Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon [db] flickering brake wear light Re: [db] flickering brake wear light Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon 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: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:32:58 +0200 From: Andreas Kreft Subject: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon Am S|nnavend 26 April 2008, hest Du schrieven: Hiya. > I bought an '87 300D wagon. 141K miles, $5000. I won't have it in > hand until next week, hopefully it's not a complete disaster. If you > think that's too expensive for a sight unseen car, have a look at > this E-Bay auction: > > Ebay 290223657818 I absolutely loved my W124 wagon. Load her up, and her hydraulic powered rear shocks will pump her back up back to business. Then take her to the Autobahn and on the two-lane Bundesstra_e. Fully loaded, that relatively flabby-handling, body-rolling, panzer-like Benz did hide its sheer 2-ton-plus weight and still handled somehow balanced. For a car that was basically conceived in the early-to-mid 1980s, she performed terrific. She still is a good car to today's standards. My pony 230TE listed a 1380lb payload in its papers. She effortlessly took care of that. I once loaded her with two giant concrete sewage tube parts that we hauled to my schoolyard and, in these days, used as giant sand-filled ashtrays. It was great fun to had the forklift put that concrete thingy in the boot and then watch her level off to even keel while the forklift fetched the next tube. May you effotlessly cruise in your new wagon and DO NOT plan on rebuilding that rear axle unless you really know what you're into. Hey Kevin, do you still have one? Andreas ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:54:27 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] the 300GD test drive An '80 300GD came up on craigslist here in Seattle... with the stiff ride on Omega ('91 Grand Wagoneer with 6.2L Diesel) to deal with, and other finishing touches, I thought, maybe this would be an easy solution to having a Diesel 4x4. Well, after the test drive, I'll be reworking the suspension on Omega. The 300GD was a miserable little gutless box that was wound up tighter than a mad wasp on espresso at 60 mph. The one I drove was a 4 speed, but I'm not sure an extra gear would help much... It was a non-turbo, with no a/c. It took bumps harsher than Omega, it wandered on the road like a tractor, it was pretty noisy and utilitarian. It needed a few things, nothing major, had some rust... the gearbox was well worn, as was the steering box, but even those things like new wouldn't have made this any better... It was cool nonetheless. And, it was better than a '48 CJ-2A, but not by much. :) I would prefer a Jeep Cherokee XJ over one of the 300GDs. Just one more encouraging episode in Omega's favor... 18.82mpg, working toward a better ride and less engine vibration... despite being laid out from an allergy attack I managed to add a resistor to the fuel sending unit for the auxillary tank, running on bioDiesel right now. Speedo still needs to have the gear changed to account for the 6% difference. One thing I noticed, the xfr case sits a lot further back than it used to. I guess that's what happens when one puts a larger engine and transmission in. Anyone got any nice SAND colored interior parts for a '91 Grand Wagoneer laying around? I could use some new(er) front door panels... :) It makes more sense to spend the money on a '91 Grand Wagoneer than to buy something new, or newer... considering the guy wanted $14,500 for the '80 300GD I could invest a LOT in Omega to produce much better results. I guess this just goes to show that real Jeeps are built, not bought. (and one other catch phrase if I may, "real engines rattle". :) john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:05:06 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon my '91 300D has the hydraulic leveling suspension as well, makes it nice for hauling waste veggie oil and jeep parts. :) I have learned that if you park at a funny angle with the car running it'll try to level and make funny noises if it can't. :) john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Andreas Kreft wrote: # Am S|nnavend 26 April 2008, hest Du schrieven: # # Hiya. # # > I bought an '87 300D wagon. 141K miles, $5000. I won't have it in # > hand until next week, hopefully it's not a complete disaster. If you # > think that's too expensive for a sight unseen car, have a look at # > this E-Bay auction: # > # > Ebay 290223657818 # # I absolutely loved my W124 wagon. Load her up, and her hydraulic powered # rear shocks will pump her back up back to business. Then take her to the # Autobahn and on the two-lane Bundesstra_e. Fully loaded, that relatively # flabby-handling, body-rolling, panzer-like Benz did hide its sheer # 2-ton-plus weight and still handled somehow balanced. # # For a car that was basically conceived in the early-to-mid 1980s, she # performed terrific. She still is a good car to today's standards. # # My pony 230TE listed a 1380lb payload in its papers. She effortlessly took # care of that. I once loaded her with two giant concrete sewage tube parts # that we hauled to my schoolyard and, in these days, used as giant # sand-filled ashtrays. It was great fun to had the forklift put that # concrete thingy in the boot and then watch her level off to even keel # while the forklift fetched the next tube. # # May you effotlessly cruise in your new wagon and DO NOT plan on rebuilding # that rear axle unless you really know what you're into. # # Hey Kevin, do you still have one? # # Andreas # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:07:52 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] dynamat sound proofing I rerouted the air intake and even that helped. It's much quieter with the turbo muffler and some underhood insulation. I'm sure the dynamat will help a lot. Once I get the spring rate adjusted the ride will improve as well. :) Glad I was able to test drive a 300GD. john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Andreas Kreft wrote: # Am S|nnavend 26 April 2008, hest Du schrieven: # # > Does it have to cover every square inch of metal or just a majority of # > it to have the desired effect? # > # > Would it help to apply more insulation over the top of it, especially # > under the hood? # # I removed the sound-dampening underside hood liner in my 230TE and did not # reckon any difference. Still, that was a quite silent gasser engine. # # If you are going to install some serious sound-deadening material in Omega, # do it properly and cover every square inch. This is required to make it # outstandigly quiet, in a psychological way. # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:09:18 -0400 From: Edward Pomeroy Subject: Re: [db] dynamat sound proofing Were you driving a Gelandwagen or a Unimog? From the description it sounded like the latter, which would explain a lot. If a GW I am surprised at the report on the suspension, they are not supposed to be that stiff though the underpowered and no a/c is pretty standard. john wrote: > I rerouted the air intake and even that helped. It's > much quieter with the turbo muffler and some underhood > insulation. I'm sure the dynamat will help a lot. > > Once I get the spring rate adjusted the ride will > improve as well. :) Glad I was able to test drive > a 300GD. > > john > > ----- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Andreas Kreft wrote: > > # Am S|nnavend 26 April 2008, hest Du schrieven: > # > # > Does it have to cover every square inch of metal or just a majority of > # > it to have the desired effect? > # > > # > Would it help to apply more insulation over the top of it, especially > # > under the hood? > # > # I removed the sound-dampening underside hood liner in my 230TE and did not > # reckon any difference. Still, that was a quite silent gasser engine. > # > # If you are going to install some serious sound-deadening material in Omega, > # do it properly and cover every square inch. This is required to make it > # outstandigly quiet, in a psychological way. > # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:25:32 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] the 300GD the 300GD, the Gelandeawagen (sp???) http://wagoneers.com/DieselBenz/CARS/80-300GD/ALL.html will add pictures of the underside... didn't get good ones though, wanted to see how the xfr case mated up... :( john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Edward Pomeroy wrote: # Were you driving a Gelandwagen or a Unimog? From the description it sounded # like the latter, which would explain a lot. If a GW I am surprised at the # report on the suspension, they are not supposed to be that stiff though the # underpowered and no a/c is pretty standard. # # # john wrote: # > I rerouted the air intake and even that helped. It's # > much quieter with the turbo muffler and some underhood # > insulation. I'm sure the dynamat will help a lot. # > # > Once I get the spring rate adjusted the ride will # > improve as well. :) Glad I was able to test drive # > a 300GD. # > # > john ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:32:42 -0400 From: Marc Z Subject: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon Hi John, Is it the same one in my '83 300TD wagon? I'm wondering if anyone has rebuilt the leveling actuator. The boxy looking thing that routes the fluid based on the level? I have the kit with the seals and springs but I have not had the chance to work on it. Marc Z. john wrote: > my '91 300D has the hydraulic leveling suspension as well, > makes it nice for hauling waste veggie oil and jeep parts. :) > > I have learned that if you park at a funny angle with the car > running it'll try to level and make funny noises if it can't. :) > > john ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:33:55 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon I picked up some fluid for mine, was going to change it, but couldn't figure out how to do it... wasn't going to crawl underneath and loosen fittings... :) john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Marc Z wrote: # Hi John, # # Is it the same one in my '83 300TD wagon? I'm wondering if anyone has # rebuilt the leveling actuator. The boxy looking thing that routes the fluid # based on the level? I have the kit with the seals and springs but I have not # had the chance to work on it. # # Marc Z. # # john wrote: # > my '91 300D has the hydraulic leveling suspension as well, # > makes it nice for hauling waste veggie oil and jeep parts. :) # > # > I have learned that if you park at a funny angle with the car # > running it'll try to level and make funny noises if it can't. :) # > # > john # > # > # > # # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:34:47 -0700 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: [db] flickering brake wear light So, after my W124 sat around for a while (I've been taking the bus to the U.), I drove it out to get washed and run some errands today. But, almost from the get go, the little "front brake pad wear" indicator light started flickering on and off. While I was rolling through the carwash (I get them free, since they broke the bumper of the ML a while back), I read the manual (since I couldn't remember for sure if that was the brake indicator) and noticed it also can mean the fluid is low. The fluid level *looks* fine, and I didn't notice any problems with the brakes, but after the near-accident due to my master cylinder on my W115 going a few years ago, I get twitchy. :) I am *assuming* it is just some dirt on the pad sensor or something from sitting around, since it doesn't stay on, and comes on when driving or braking or both or neither. Anything in particular I can/should check? Thanks! - -bkc Lynnwood, WA (his) '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] (hers) '92 Toyota Celica GT (ours) '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] PS: Too bad the 300GD didn't work out better (or maybe just as well, given the price you quoted the guy wanting), John! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:50:34 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] flickering brake wear light it could be one of two things... the pads could be low, in which case the sensor is working as designed. or two, it could be that the sensors are pinched or defective... when jim replaced my pads one time on of his guys didn't do it right and pinched my sensor so the light twitched and came on not long after... brake pads seem to last less time than my oil changes... (use amsoil synthetic. ;) john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Bruce Caruthers wrote: # So, after my W124 sat around for a while (I've been taking # the bus to the U.), I drove it out to get washed and run # some errands today. # # But, almost from the get go, the little "front brake pad # wear" indicator light started flickering on and off. While # I was rolling through the carwash (I get them free, since # they broke the bumper of the ML a while back), I read the # manual (since I couldn't remember for sure if that was the # brake indicator) and noticed it also can mean the fluid is # low. The fluid level *looks* fine, and I didn't notice any # problems with the brakes, but after the near-accident due to # my master cylinder on my W115 going a few years ago, I get # twitchy. :) # # I am *assuming* it is just some dirt on the pad sensor or # something from sitting around, since it doesn't stay on, and # comes on when driving or braking or both or neither. # # Anything in particular I can/should check? # # Thanks! # # -bkc # Lynnwood, WA # (his) '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] # (hers) '92 Toyota Celica GT # (ours) '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] # # PS: Too bad the 300GD didn't work out better (or maybe just # as well, given the price you quoted the guy wanting), John! # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:24:35 -0400 From: Marc Z Subject: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon Mine tends to leak out. :-) I bought 2 filters for it, that sit in the tank in the engine compartment. Replaced it once so far, will do so again soon. It was very dirty and the tank had sediment. It was not well maintained before I bought it. Marc Z. john wrote: > I picked up some fluid for mine, was going to change it, but > couldn't figure out how to do it... wasn't going to crawl > underneath and loosen fittings... :) > > john > > ----- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Marc Z wrote: > > # Hi John, > # > # Is it the same one in my '83 300TD wagon? I'm wondering if anyone has > # rebuilt the leveling actuator. The boxy looking thing that routes the fluid > # based on the level? I have the kit with the seals and springs but I have not > # had the chance to work on it. > # > # Marc Z. > # > # john wrote: > # > my '91 300D has the hydraulic leveling suspension as well, > # > makes it nice for hauling waste veggie oil and jeep parts. :) > # > > # > I have learned that if you park at a funny angle with the car > # > running it'll try to level and make funny noises if it can't. :) > # > > # > john > # > > # > > # > > # > # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:41:35 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Scored a 124 Wagon I doubt mine has ever been serviced either... john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Marc Z wrote: # Mine tends to leak out. :-) I bought 2 filters for it, that sit in the # tank in the engine compartment. Replaced it once so far, will do so again # soon. It was very dirty and the tank had sediment. It was not well # maintained before I bought it. # # Marc Z. # # john wrote: # > I picked up some fluid for mine, was going to change it, but # > couldn't figure out how to do it... wasn't going to crawl # > underneath and loosen fittings... :) # > # > john # > # > ----- # > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- # > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # > http://wagoneers.com ** http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ ** # > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- # > # > # > On Sun, 27 Apr 2008, Marc Z wrote: # > # > # Hi John, # > # # > # Is it the same one in my '83 300TD wagon? I'm wondering if anyone has # > # rebuilt the leveling actuator. The boxy looking thing that routes the # > # fluid # > # based on the level? I have the kit with the seals and springs but I have # > # not # > # had the chance to work on it. # > # # > # Marc Z. # > # # > # john wrote: # > # > my '91 300D has the hydraulic leveling suspension as well, # > # > makes it nice for hauling waste veggie oil and jeep parts. :) # > # > # > # > I have learned that if you park at a funny angle with the car # > # > running it'll try to level and make funny noises if it can't. :) # > # > # > # > john # > # > # > # > # > # > # > # # > # # > # > # # ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #2736 **********************************