On Jan 23, 2012, at 2:26 PM, Nate wrote:
> Is it all clear as mud now ? if not , ask again , we'll get you sorted out .
I got the picture pretty well now; makes sense. Thanks!
- Alan
I was always concerned of having a wind turbine because we have a lot of birds out here.
Trish,
Using SVO - the waste oil Kevin is collecting - in a MB diesel is a wonderful idea, whether it is your car or the future generator.
BUT:
Other than a five minute demonstration - do not use room temperature or colder SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) to fuel your MB. It will destroy your motor. It does this in several ways. The cold oil is too viscous, so the injectors are not able to atomize the oil well. The oil clogs the injectors, so they keep doing a poorer and poorer job. Since the oil is in large droplets, some of it doesn't burn. It slides down the cylinder wall and collects behind the rings and forms carbon "chunks". These prevent the rings from working properly. The oil also gets past the rings drips down into the pan. It is incompatible with the motor oil, dilutes it and destroys the bearings.
You must add a system or systems to heat the SVO before it is pumped into the injection pump. Many people also add a small tank for diesel. They crank the engine on diesel and run on it briefly until the coolant warms enough to warm the SVO to 140F. Then they switch to SVO. (When they are ready to shut down, they switch back to diesel so the engine is ready start up next time.)
(It is also possible to use electrical heaters to warm the oil when cranking up, so you don't have to switch fuels.)
Bobby
So cool to hear about this use for the motors.
When we first bought our farm and moved this trailer on it, we had no power, no water, nada. Kevin's dad loaned us a dinosuar generator that was covered in rust, belched smoke, was so loud we had to build a wood noise shield on the house side to cut the noise and it was as cantankerous as it's owner! Kevin's mom talked him into loaning us the brand new generator! Then they loaned us their cab over motor home to "live" in while we were out here working on this place. It was a 45 min drive one way from where we were moving from and we worked out here for 18hrs at a time.
I have an unlimited supply of veg oil from Kevin's work. In fact when I first started researching MB diesels he started to save the oil for me. Then I looked at the label and found out it wasn't the right kind. He told the guy in the kitchen and he switched oils!
I am very excited to finally have a MB, even though I've not been able to drive it for almost 4 months. :(
Thanks for sharing your information regarding going off grid. I've been reading all that I can for some time now and gathering information for the day I can put it all to use.
I was always concerned of having a wind turbine because we have a lot of birds out here. Just the other day I watched a pair of Red Tail Hawks glide across our back pasture looking for lunch. I hear an owl almost every night and we have Herons fly up from the creek...that's a treat for the dogs to try to chase...like they could catch one!
On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 7:46 AM, BStromsoe <bstromsoe@yahoo.com> wrote:My 300d (Mary) that I found in Minnesota on a farm, was destined to become a generator for the farm. But, I moved quickly and voila, I just did 185 miles on Saturday - as we near 195,000 on the body, and 205,000 on the engine.
brian from laverne, ca Mary (195K) Martha (280K) 1983 w123 300d's
From: Bobby Yates Emory <liberty1@gmail.com>
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 10:24 PM
Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Going off grid- Bill
Trish,
To back up what Bill was saying - the MB diesels were originally designed to be stationary engines, so if you find a 240D engine in fair condition, it would make an excellent engine for backup when making you own power. And it will be enough like your car that it will be familiar to work on.
BobbyOn Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 9:36 AM, kipsinc <kipsinc@atlanticbb.net> wrote:Trish and all,
Okay, here is my $.02 on the subject.
1. Start small, a couple of solar panels, charge controler, and batteries. Wind is more complicated and is more to maintain. Save wind generation till you get your feet wet with solar.
2. The most efficient way to get away from the grid is to use less electricity (conservation), so you will need to generate less.
3. My Mercedes diesels are a big part of my plan. Notice that I am keeping this thread on topic!! I can make fuel for them. I am a school bus contractor and we run all diesels so I end up supplementing the fuel with bio fuel. I just love my MB's.
4. It is possible to grow oil crops, press them. to extract the oil, and use that oil to run the Benz.
Small steps.
Cheers,
Bill
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Trish Dougherty <purrfectharmonyfarm@...> wrote:
>
> Bill
>
> I'd love to pick your brain about being off grid. My dream is to have a
> wind turbine and solar for all that I can.
>
> For now I run a garden hose from my washing machine to the outside to water
> the trees and garden. In the winter doing laundry is a game with the
> outside temps. The drain hose will freeze, so the washer won't spin out.
> When we build a real house I'll run all of the gray water through plumbing
> and into one of the holding tanks.
>
> I have my "hot tub" collection I've purloined out of pastures, off of Free
> Cycle or other places. There are 3, one is like a small pool! It's kidney
> shaped and would have held 10+, the other two are identical in shape and
> size, octagon with tile. I also have a water fall, 2 ponds & a fountain!
> Eventually I want to put them in the ground to hold gray water.
>
> I want to only get the stuff at the store that I can't do myself...(Kevin
> would die without his diet coke! bleh~) And of course there are things like
> TP that I'm not going to make!
>
> I love farming it's in my blood & on both sides of my family for several
> generations. I can't wait for spring! I'm setting up my incubator to start
> hatching my own chicks. I'm hoping to get either turkey chicks or eggs
> from a guy Kevin works with.
>
> Some day I'll be able to host a MB Diesel enthusiasts get together out
> here! :)
> On Thu, Jan 19, 2012 at 5:36 AM, kipsinc <kipsinc@...> wrote:
> > Max,
> > I viewed your driveway drive again this morning... It struck me that
> > something is missing. There are no utility poles or wires.
> > Are you off grid and lovin' it?
> >
> > I am slowly working to break my grid electric habit.
> > Cheers,
> > Bill aka "kipsinc"
> > --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "max_stemple" <jasperezra@>
> > > Look MA no chains. Max
> --
> Trish Dougherty
> PurrFect Harmony Farm
> Ennis, TX
> http:/purrfectharmonyfarm.intuitwebsites.com
>
--
Toward freedom,
Bobby Yates Emory
--
Trish Dougherty
PurrFect Harmony Farm
Ennis, TX
http:/purrfectharmonyfarm.intuitwebsites.com
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "Nate" <vwnate1@...> wrote:
> 6MM flange nuts
ah...you read my mind, and beat me to it :)
> I'm not sure a W-126 battery hold down is the same as the W-123 one but it's worth a try , the price is right .
I'm totally game to try...would love to button up SOME issues myself ;) my list is oh-so-very-long
~Caitlin
83 300SD
it's a diesel!
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/iranian-engineer-builds-hexawheel-concept-inspired-by-mercedes-ar90428/picture362409.html
I know, it's just a concept, but poke around the gallery to see what it can drive ... er, "over"?
Caitlin
Kidding , right ?
I'm afraid of some of Los Angles in daytime .
I've traveled Mexico from border to border and I loved it .
When I want to go somewhere , I go .
I don't wast time being paranoid but I *do* maintain Situational Awareness .
-Nate
Tony wrote:
>
> Not to start an argument, but there are places in the US, Canada & Mexico where you should not go at night. We feel very safe here, we sit in the plaza and watch kids, 3YOlds running around playing at night without a care in the world.
>
>
6MM flange nuts and Tom has those too .
I'm not sure a W-126 battery hold down is the same as the W-123 one but it's worth a try , the price is right .
-Nate
Tom wrote:
>
> Caitlin,
>
> Te "leak seemed small, so I went ahead"?!?!
>
> Fix leaks before filling things. Slow leaks are promises of future
> problems.
>
> Back before Christmas, you were talking about missing battery hold
> down clamps. Have you found them yet? If not, this weekend, Nate stumbled
> across some that I had found during a P-a-P run, in December. If you want
> them, they are yours. Just let me know where to send them.
>
> Your battery tray should have two bolts sticking up along the front
> edge. The battery hold downs fit over these (one through each hold down) and
> also over the edge of the battery. Flange nuts then go onto the bolts and
> hold down the hold downs, thereby clamping the battery in place.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 1/23/2012 9:51:12 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> tinymachine@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> Hi folks,
>
> When I bought the car a few months ago, the windshield washer fluid seemed
> to work ok. There's a small leak in the reservoir and ultimately it went
> dry. So a little bit ago, I sprung for new wipers (the old ones were pretty
> shot and not the correct size) and fluid and filled her up. I did take out
> the reservoir and inspect the leak before filling...leak seemed small, so I
> went ahead.
>
> Now I get no fluid! I hear a sound that I'm assuming is the motor
> (pump?)...
>
> Other than poking some pins in the nozzles to make sure they're not gunked
> up, how else can I troubleshoot this problem?
>
> Thanks!
> Caitlin
> 83 300SD
> Santa Fe, NM
>
Ever the Gentleman is Tony.......
Unlike some here (ahem) he's not old , fat , gray , ugly, etcetera....
-Nate
Tony wrote:
>
> One will have to ask Nate if my good looks played into the equation.
> I kinda look like the north end of a south bound cow. I just think they liked the professional look of the camera.
> Tony
>
> --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, BStromsoe <bstromsoe@> wrote:
> >
> > Well, it would if you were handsomer.
> >
> >
> > brian from laverne, ca
> > Mary (195K) Martha (280K)
> > 1983 w123 300d's
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: "bgiovan@" <bgiovan@>
> > To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:47 AM
> > Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Re : Mazatlan
> >
> > That shit never happens to me.
> >
> > Ben near Detroit.
> >
> > On 1/22/2012 11:01 PM, Lost but making good time. wrote:
> > >
> > > Ben et al
> > > By popular request more pics of that nice brick wall, notice how the
> > > stairs fit so well into the mortar work.
> > >
> > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/technicotony/sets/72157628990355017/show/
> > >
> > > Really was amazing, I stumbled into the middle of a photo shoot, &
> > > they invited me to take any pics I wanted. I asked her to dance for me
> > > and this is the result.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
>
Pretty face she has .
Maybe in a few years she'll fill out a bit and become a nice ' Brick House ' =8-) .
-Nate
Tony wrote:
>
> Ben et al
> By popular request more pics of that nice brick wall, notice how the stairs fit so well into the mortar work.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/technicotony/sets/72157628990355017/show/
>
> Really was amazing, I stumbled into the middle of a photo shoot, & they invited me to take any pics I wanted. I asked her to dance for me and this is the result.
>
Yes , they're still out there , I see the plaque occasionally .
-Nate
Max Asked :
> >
> > Hey Rob, have you heard of a GG car club called Relics? Max
> >
> >
Might be fun to cruise down in my Metropolitan Nash FHC or wheeze my old Chebby pickup truck there , my rigs are not shiny & pretty so not always appreciated tho'...
-Nate
Rob wrote:
>
> Where? The car show is on Main St. G.G.:
> http://www.mainstreetgardengrove.com/CarShow/
>
> They block off Main St. and line the cars up. It's free.
> It's mainly American Steel, classic cars.
>
> Let me know if you're going, as I'm only a few miles away.
>
> Rob
> Garden Grove, CA
> ==
>
> On 1/22/12 2:15 AM, diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> > Re : Cruise In
> > Posted by: "Nate"vwnate1@... vwnate1
> > Date: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:09 am ((PST))
> >
> >
> > Really ? where ? (be specific)
> >
> > -Nate
> > Rob wrote:
> >> >
> >> > Garden Grove still has a oldie car show every friday night downtown.
> >> > I saw a MB there once.
> >> >
> >> > I see this thread is still: What to use to cover Rear Parcel Tray
> >> > I picked up a new Rear Parcel Tray from the Classic Center.
> >> > I might have received the last cream one, yet there maybe other colors left.
> >> >
> >> > Rob
> >> > '85 300D
> >> > Garden Grove, CA
> >> > ==
> >> >
>
Alan ;
You are NOT being dense ! .
Yes , you'll have a hard time pouring in the new ATF fast enough to overflow the resivoir as it pumps out *really* fast , I use a HUGE catch basin and idle the car as slowly as it'll idle and it's still impossible to turn it lock to lock before the pump runs dry....
So , do the best you can then leave it until it begins to stink badly again & repeat , or get a helper and make a big , Nate style mess , this isn't as bad as it sounds (Tom's eye rolling here not withstanding) as I use the cleanup time to also clean my cement driveway & make sure my ' dirty rags ' really are fully utilized , I really don't like oily cement , even if I wasn't parking & working on it .
Is it all clear as mud now ? if not , ask again , we'll get you sorted out .
-Nate
Alan wrote:
>
> Sorry, I'm a little confused by the description.
>
> > I set up a drain jug and pour in a fresh gallon of ATF as the engine idles , let that go through then stop the engine when the pump runs dry ,
> >
> > If you can get a helper , get two or tree gallons of discount ATF .......... keep this up until you're out of the three gallons you poured in
>
> Are you saying to pour from one up to three gallons through, as it runs and pumps? I assume the whole PS system holds less than 1 or certainly 3 gallons :-) So this means pour it into the open reservoir, as fast as it will take it without overflowing (presumably you can pour in faster than it pumps out)?
>
> > remember to replace the fulid annually just like you do the tranny , no need for mondo flushing once you've done it right , just a routine prophylactic fluid change .
>
> So if it hasn't been flushed in years, repeat this whole process every month for a few times until it stays pretty clean. Then once a year, do the whole 1 to 3 gallon flush, or something less?
>
> Hope I'm not being too dense :-) Thanks!
>
> - Alan
>
I think we have found the appropriate role for women on this board.
Chip
Ac used , 183 miles , 23 MPG , mostly SWMBO driving .
The fungus appears gone , I'm still dosing with 3 Oz. of Startron each fillup , the filter remains clear of crud , the fuel looks a bit yellowish to me .
-Nate
Caitlin, For the washer, do what you need to do with every repair - look at each part of the system. First, look at the hoses and nozzles to make sure that they are connected and not plugged (the detailing folks who look at my car every week got into the habit of leaving wax on the nozzles, and they eventually clogged up). You can also test the system by running the pump just on battery power. Once you get to a P-a-P yard, you need to look for electrical connectors, then cut some off, with the longest possible attached wires. Use these to make 'test rigs' for yourself. You unplug the washer pump from it's regular line and plug it in to your test rig. Then use the long leads of the test rig to connect to the battery. Either the washer pump runs or it doesn't. Do this AFTER you clean the pipes and try running the pump in its regular mode. If the pump runs when connected directly to the battery, but not when you work the stalk on the column, then you have to look for a burned fuse. If no burned fuse, only then do you start looking at wiring harness issues. Everything is step by step. Tom In a message dated 1/23/2012 11:33:05 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, tinymachine@gmail.com writes:
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, audiolaw@... wrote:
> Fix leaks before filling things. Slow leaks are promises of future
> problems.
Well...yes...agreed. The "leak" was really more of a rotting tiny rubber plug, that I believe plugs up the outlet to headlight wipers on other models, and it looked like it might have been seeping. Wasn't quite sure of the best way to fix that (replace the rubber plug i suspect) Fluid was less than $2gal, my windshield was hella dirty, so I made a less than perfect decision in the pursuit of safety...and it didn't work anyway. goes to show you!
> Back before Christmas, you were talking about missing battery hold
> down clamps. Have you found them yet?
I haven't yet! I"ll PM my address...am happy to re-imburse for item/shipping...what-have-you and/or just pay it forward :)
Thanks!
Caitlin
83 300SD
who MAY finally get to a PaP this month...
