Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] FINALLY got my 300D, now many questions

Trish,

The comments by others seem to be good, just adding my viewpoint, YMMV.

Comments below:

On Sun, Sep 25, 2011 at 10:31 AM, patricia_dougherty <purrfectharmonyfarm@wifi45.com> wrote:

I've wanted a MB since the mid '80's, been really researching for about 6yrs. Last Monday I FINALLY got my '81 300D. Wanted a turbo, but needed transportation and found this one owner with only 273,000 miles for under $2K!

I got in a hurry and ended up with a N/A also (300 CD)

1. The book says to turn the idle switch counter clock wise till it stops, wait for glow plug light to go out then start the car. When do I turn the idle switch back? Do I do that EVERY time I start the car?

Unless it is hot day in the summer time and you have only stopped for 5 minutes, yes. What they are calling the "idle switch" is really just a hand throttle that is used to speed up the idle. I leave mine turn up until I see the temperature needle moving up.

2. When I put the car in reverse it shudders like crazy, why? Hubby thinks the idle needs to be turned up. He also thinks the idle switch isn't working right.

There could be many reasons. Engine mounts, universal joints on the drive shaft. the universal joints on the half shafts, the throttle connectors on the top of the valve cover.

If the idle switch causes it to idle a little faster, it is doing all it can. (If it is not causing the idle to speed up, it could be defective.)

3. Does anyone have a diagram for wires? I have to order the Haynes book. There are wires under the hood that no one knows where they go

I don't have a good answer on the wires - Haynes can help a little. I have some factory manuals - they are better, but more expensive.

Also under the hood are some vacuum lines - they are also important and will need maintenance over the years.

4. Anyone know anything about cruise control? Mine does not work.

The cruise control becomes unsoldered internally. There is a company that resolders them. Use search on the old messages - this has been covered.

5. I have to floor it to get anywhere, is that normal? Sure does put my foot to sleep to have to continually mash on the accelerator.

(I would do them in this order.) That also may be the connectors on the top of the valve cover. If may also be the valves are not adjusted. The compression may be bad. You may need to run DieselPurge. The injectors may need rebuilding and new nozzles. Search the messages for the ALDI, but only after you have fixed the rest.

6. I was told I can convert this to a turbo and it's easy. Will it honk up my car? Should I do this or just keep looking for a factory turbo?

As others have said - You only want to put a MB turbo on a MB engine that was designed for it.

7. Want to convert this to a "grease car" using the Love Craft Bio Fuel conversion. Anyone familiar with that?

That is the reason I bought my car - to be able to use algae oil. These cars are the best for conversion to SVO. If you want the very best conversion kit - it is German also - something like Espy - but that is not right.