From owner-diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Sat Jan 8 08:49:05 2011 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Tuesday, February 8 2011 Volume 01 : Number 3396 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] say what? Re: [db] say what? Re: [db] say what? Re: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries [db] W123 door rubber Re: [db] W123 door rubber Re: Fw: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries RE: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries RE: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries RE: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Re: Fw: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request@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, 7 Jan 2011 13:44:53 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] say what? found a '92 300sd w140, but what caught my eye was this: *** Very economical, gets 18mpg city and 22mpg highway. **** Say what??? gas engines could do that... something is either very wrong or this thing must have lead panels in the doors... :) If I had a Mercedes Diesel that only got 18mpg in town I'd not be happy... I've tweaked that much out of a lifted XJ Cherokee with 31" tires... john 1992 Mercedes DIESEL S Class W140 300sd RARE 143K mi bio-ready - $7500 (South King) Up for sale is a rare example of a well built quality Mercedes. Rare model 300SD which is a Turbo Diesel straight 6 cylinder engine. *** Very economical, gets 18mpg city and 22mpg highway. **** Fully loaded with all available options including all power windows, door locks, sunroof, vacuum suction doors, dual climate control, alloy wheels and more. Ready to be converted for bio diesel. Must see to fully appreciate, either for a collector or for enthusiast. ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 17:16:54 -0600 From: Alec Cordova Subject: Re: [db] say what? or his is that low because it's the 3.5 engine and his number one cylinder is mostly dead now? Dual climate control in a 92? On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 3:44 PM, john wrote: > found a '92 300sd w140, but what caught my eye was this: > > > *** Very economical, gets 18mpg city and 22mpg highway. **** > > > Say what??? gas engines could do that... something is either very wrong or this thing > must have lead panels in the doors... :) > > If I had a Mercedes Diesel that only got 18mpg in town I'd not be happy... I've tweaked that > much out of a lifted XJ Cherokee with 31" tires... > > john > > > > > > 1992 Mercedes DIESEL S Class W140 300sd RARE 143K mi bio-ready - $7500 (South King) > > Up for sale is a rare example of a well built quality Mercedes. > Rare model 300SD which is a Turbo Diesel straight 6 cylinder engine. > > *** Very economical, gets 18mpg city and 22mpg highway. **** > > Fully loaded with all available options including all power windows, door locks, sunroof, vacuum suction doors, dual climate control, alloy wheels and more. Ready to be converted for bio diesel. Must see to fully appreciate, either for a collector or for enthusiast. > > > > ----- > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 15:29:52 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: [db] say what? I think you nailed it Alec: 1991?1996 300SD/S350? 3.5 L OM603 I6 Turbo-Diesel ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Mon, 7 Feb 2011, Alec Cordova wrote: # or his is that low because it's the 3.5 engine and his number one # cylinder is mostly dead now? # # Dual climate control in a 92? # # On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 3:44 PM, john wrote: # > found a '92 300sd w140, but what caught my eye was this: # > # > # > *** Very economical, gets 18mpg city and 22mpg highway. **** # > # > # > Say what??? gas engines could do that... something is either very wrong or this thing # > must have lead panels in the doors... :) # > # > If I had a Mercedes Diesel that only got 18mpg in town I'd not be happy... I've tweaked that # > much out of a lifted XJ Cherokee with 31" tires... # > # > john # > # > # > # > # > # > 1992 Mercedes DIESEL S Class W140 300sd RARE 143K mi bio-ready - $7500 (South King) # > # > Up for sale is a rare example of a well built quality Mercedes. # > Rare model 300SD which is a Turbo Diesel straight 6 cylinder engine. # > # > *** Very economical, gets 18mpg city and 22mpg highway. **** # > # > Fully loaded with all available options including all power windows, door locks, sunroof, vacuum suction doors, dual climate control, alloy wheels and more. Ready to be converted for bio diesel. Must see to fully appreciate, either for a collector or for enthusiast. # > # > # > # > ----- # > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum # > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us # > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > # ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 15:21:54 -0800 (PST) From: "Jerry Kaidor" Subject: Re: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries > Thanks Jerry. > > That is part of my "problem" - low usage.B How did you know? *** Mine too :). I have two diesel benz's. Each one sits at an airport, waiting for me to fly in. Haven't been flying much. These cars get driven once every couple months. I keep the batteries in the cars, disconnected from the electrical system, with a solar trickle charger in the car window. I use the solar cells that they sell at Harbor Freight. I cut off the cigarette lighter connector that HF provides, and connect the cell through the firewall directly to the battery through a silicon diode - to prevent backflow during the night. To disconnect the battery from the car, I use a quick-disconnect that they sell at AutoZone. There are also actual battery switches, but they're a bit bigger. The solar charger goes on sale frequently for $10. It's rated for 100mA in sunlight. That's about right to keep the battery topped up. - Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 20:42:50 -0300 From: "Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI" Subject: [db] W123 door rubber The rubber around the driver's door on my W123 is rotting away, sticking to the door jamb, etc. Is this still available ? Cheers, Ron. - -- Wer nichts weiC^_, muC^_ alles glauben. -- Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 15:48:09 -0800 From: Eric Ditwiler Subject: Re: [db] W123 door rubber Probably for a sedan. I have a coupe I make my own out of Gorilla Tape, Black RTV, and spit. Eric Ditwiler Director, Academic Operations Harvey Mudd College 909-607-3134 On Feb 7, 2011, at 3:42 PM, Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI wrote: > The rubber around the driver's door on my W123 is rotting away, sticking to > the door jamb, etc. > > Is this still available ? > > Cheers, > > Ron. > -- > Wer nichts weiC^_, muC^_ alles glauben. > -- Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach > > -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 15:42:59 -0800 (PST) From: "Jerry Kaidor" Subject: Re: Fw: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries > For low usage, you could always install a cutoff switch at one of the > battery terminals. That would stop the small drains like the clock and > radio, *** Or the much LARGER drain of the electric pump that keeps the power door lock system alive! A real battery killer, especially if the system leaks at all. - Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:09:25 -0500 From: "FParker" Subject: RE: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Here is what I would do (and did)... I found a rental property with two apartment units. The rents collectively cover the mortgage, taxes and insurance. And, the property also has a 28 x 48 shop with 12 foot ceilings and a lift. I store three cars there and keep the others at the house I live in. The property is only 6 miles from my house. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz@digest.net] On Behalf Of Thomas Harais Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 2:12 PM To: Diesel-Benz List Subject: Fw: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries - ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Thomas Harais To: jerry@tr2.com Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 11:07:27 AM Subject: Re: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Thanks Jerry. That is part of my "problem" - low usage. How did you know? I've got a couple of vehicles that sit way more than they are driven, the MB being one. That means batteries go bad and that's inefficient use of my funds. However, removing the batteries from the vehicles when not in use is too limiting to thier mobility. I don't always have time to swap in a battery when I need to drive or move one of them. For years I've been saying that it would be worth the $20 or $30 for a couple of those solar trickle chargers to keep the batteries "topped up" when the vehicle sits. But, online reviews told me that they tend to fail frequently and, what do I do with the frequently idle car and motorcycle that sit in the garage? i.e. no sunlight available. I've considered trickle chargers for those but that only supports my wife's demands that I get rid of some of these cars. I've been holding off for retirement only to see it getting pushed further out each year. Any thoughts on a relatively cheap (less than $150,000 capital investment or $250/month) way to acquire enough space to store excess vehicles and have a shop to work on them? I've been looking at rural properties for a long time, prepared to move to one, but even in this down market, convincing my better half to plunk down $400,000 for a "fixer upper" one acre w/shop, sixty year old gentleman farm is almost impossible. ;-) I've found a few situations that might be workable alternatives, particluarly older, small shops or stations off the beaten path. But I wouldn't be living there and then security becomes a concern. It's not easy to leave valuable rolling stock and tools somewhere unattended if break ins are an all too common occurance. TomH, '87 300 SDL Antioch, CA ________________________________ From: Jerry Kaidor To: tjhemh@pacbell.net Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 9:05:11 AM Subject: Re: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries > > Battery: My Sear Diehard has finally given up the ghost. It's at least > seven years old, maybe more. Anyhow, I'm not up on batteries these days > and want to know who might carry an exact fit for a W126 OM. I'm not > too concerned about branding. Size is more important in this case as > there is no room for "almost". And, of course, price matters. There > are wide variations in battery prices. No need to overpay. I live in > Northern California. So, who knows a good source? > *** I've had good luck with AutoZone. They track such purchases on their computer, and are very good about honoring the warranty - even if you show up without a receipt. I have gotten 2 or 3 free batteries out of them ( that were installed in very low-usage vehicles ). - Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 18:44:13 -0800 From: "Greg Fiorentino" Subject: RE: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Duralast 7 YR Notes: *** 850 cold cranking Amps (1000 cranking Amps) *** 155 reserve minutes. -> 2 year free replacement <- Current pricing is $94.99 at my local A'zone. The "Gold" is marginally better spec'd at $140. Greg - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz@digest.net] On Behalf Of Eric Ditwiler Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 12:42 PM To: gfior@dslnorthwest.net; tjhemh@pacbell.net; diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Subject: Re: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Duralast is good but no longer under $100. Paid 160 for a duralast for my tdi. Sent from my HTC on the Now Network from Sprint! - ----- Reply message ----- From: "Greg Fiorentino" Date: Mon, Feb 7, 2011 12:33 pm Subject: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries To: , << No need to overpay. I live in Northern California. >> Don't cheap out on a battery for a diesel, get at or near the top of the line. It will serve you better, last longer and save you money and hassle in the long run. Add my recommendation to the other on Duralast from Autozone. Their battery appears to be made the same as the Diehard at a much lower price point. If I were you I would replace the battery at 5 years and not wait to get stuck somewhere with a dead battery. The good Duralast is less than $100 so will cost you $20/year to never have a battery fail again! Greg - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz@digest.net] On Behalf Of Tom H Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 8:33 PM To: diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Subject: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries O.K. guys: Wiper Blades: I bought a couple of high end Good Year windshield wiper blades for my 300 SDL. The instructions show them to be as simple as pushing the "U" hook through and snapping them in. And, it was that easy............with one problem. There is nothing that snaps them in place permanently. They are loose enough to come out and they do. An aside: I had to remove the driver's side winshield wiper arm because the tension spring came off and getting it back on was a real bitch. Well, I was successfull in this and quite proud of myself. Until I noticed that I remounted the arm with the blade too high. I lived with it that way for a few weeks and tried to reset it yesterday. Again, I was proud of myself until I noticed what I though were scratches on the lower part of the windshield. I was thinking that the wiper arm had scratched the windshield when I was having trouble retaining the blades because I noticed three, arched shaped (think half moon) shiny marks on the windshield just above the wiper post. Further examination made my heart sink when I realized I had managed to crack the windshield, at least the inner layer of glass, when I messed with that wiper are R&R. :-( Battery: My Sear Diehard has finally given up the ghost. It's at least seven years old, maybe more. Anyhow, I'm not up on batteries these days and want to know who might carry an exact fit for a W126 OM. I'm not too concerned about branding. Size is more important in this case as there is no room for "almost". And, of course, price matters. There are wide variations in battery prices. No need to overpay. I live in Northern California. So, who knows a good source? TomH, '87 300SDL Antioch, CA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 06:28:29 -0800 (PST) From: "Jerry Kaidor" Subject: RE: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries > Here is what I would do (and did)... I found a rental property with two > apartment units. The rents collectively cover the mortgage, taxes and > insurance. And, the property also has a 28 x 48 shop with 12 foot > ceilings and a lift. I store three cars there and keep the others at > the house I live in. The property is only 6 miles from my house. *** Excellent! I actually make my living with rentals. Unfortunately, here on the SF peninsula, they cost way too much to buy for a hobby. Hmm - I do have a building in Hayward with a spare 1-car garage and "storage" - complete with a couple of workrooms, a closet, and a bathroom. But that's 16 miles and one bridge toll away.... - Jerry Kaidor ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 08:47:56 -0800 (PST) From: Thomas Harais Subject: Re: Fw: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries Thanks Alec. I have considered that and looked at such switches at my local auto parts and marine supply stores. There are a couple of details that prevented me from going that route. 1) Size. A switch capable of passing a starting current isn't that small. There just isn't much room around the batter post in a W126. 2) Quality. Everything I saw in the in-person checking I did, had clamp on connections vs molded connections. Such connections are prone to corrosion problems. 3) Cost. I don't remember exact cost, but seem to remember it was about three times what I was willing to pay at the time. Of course, now that I'm faced with battery replacement, maybe I'll concede false economy there. I'm known to do that now and again. Sometimes I'm a slow learner. :-) 4) MOST IMPORTANT: Entropy. I start "what if's" like this and often don't persue them to finalization. Then, they come up again because what ever problem I was trying to solve returns and I have to start over because I've forgotten all the information I gathered the first time around. I hate this trait in myself, but like Popeye, I am what I am. You can bet that if I go to Autozone or Walmart to look at batteries, I'll be checking out cutoff switches again. One of those would be especially appropriate for my '76 IH Scout which is only seeing about 200 miles of road a year these days. TomH, '87 300 SDL Antioch, CA ________________________________ From: Alec Cordova To: Thomas Harais Cc: Diesel-Benz List Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 12:08:19 PM Subject: Re: Fw: [db] Wipers, Windshields and Batteries For low usage, you could always install a cutoff switch at one of the battery terminals. That would stop the small drains like the clock and radio, but allow easy restoration of power for when you want to drive them. I suppose the batteries would still drain on their own, but this might push the interval out far enough to suit you. ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #3396 **********************************