RE: [diesel_mercedes] Hi Ben !

 

I did not say insolent. Probably said arrogant or unfeeling or sanctimonious  or something like that.

__._,_.___

Posted by: bstromsoe@yahoo.com
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (13)

.

__,_._,___

Re: [diesel_mercedes] Hi Ben !

 

Well, MY '79 W116 has had a rough summer.  Actually, it had a very leisurely summer, as it spent it all sitting at my shop.  The problems began in May when I noticed a rhythmic tapping coming from the sorta upper end of the engine.  It varied with engine speed, and for all the world sounded like a loose cam follower.  I checked, double-checked then triple-checked the valve lash and all other aspects of the valve train.  Couldn't find anything amiss.  So, I figured I'd drive it until something let loose, then that will be that.

About a week later, I started it up, and headed to the shop.  A couple of blocks later, it started to smoke really badly, and power began to drop off.  This continued, getting increasingly worse, until it stalled and would not start.  I had it towed to the shop, and the next day, did some checking.  It became clear that the injection pump was not pumping.  I removed it (which is a really messy job requiring the removal of the oil filter mount), and found I was able remove the auxiliary shaft.  Or rather, most of it.  It seems the bolt attaching the timing gear to the shaft had worked loose, and at some point the shaft had broken.   

I removed the vacuum pump and, yep, the timing gear was all loosey-goosey.  The bolt was mangled.  I went to my local U-Pull-And-Pay, and there was a 126 there with the IP already removed.  Nice!  All the really messy work was already done.  I removed the vacuum pump and got the shaft and bolt for all of $15.  4-hours later, I was back on the road, with the cam timing all confirmed, and black arms up past my elbows.

All was good for about two weeks when on a run up to Brighton (about 30-miles), it started to run funny.  It wouldn't idle, smoked badly, and was down on power.  It made it back to the shop, and I just left it there.  I'd run it now and then, hoping the trouble would go away; maybe it it got a bad tank of fuel, but even a fresh fill didn't cure it.  It didn't get any worse; didn't get any better.  I figured the IP was dead.

Last Thursday, I had a slow point at the shop, and decided, "This is the day."  I again removed the IP, and found it was about 2-teeth off, retarded.  Part of me wanted to go the the salvage yard and get another IP, but the part that said, "Just put it back together, maybe it'll be all right" won out, and that's what I did.  This time, it took two hours to re-assemble it, but that's all that was needed.  It's running really, REALLY well now.

So, I don't know why the bolt came loose in the first place.  Nor, why it ran fine for two weeks, then the IP slipped.  But I'm back to driving it every day again.  We'll see how long it will last....

I can see why people can get frustrated with these cars, and give up.  If I were to charge for all I've done in just the past four months, it would have been a fair amount, probably not worth getting it done.  As it was, it cost me a minimal in parts, a couple of quarts of oil, and probably 12-hours.  Certainly, if this car belonged to most anyone else, it would have been scrapped.

It has just passed 332,000 miles, which isn't that much, considering it's now over 35-years old.  That's less than 10,000 miles a year.  If it's still running well in six-weeks, I'll shoot on new paint, with new windshield and gasket.  Then, it will be time to sell it.  I'm putting together a diesel Jeep XJ.

Mark

From: "bgiovan@cavtel.net [diesel_mercedes]" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 3:30:30 PM
Subject: RE: [diesel_mercedes] Hi Ben !

 

Brian told me I was being insolent by not checking in with the group!  So, I apologize.  Been really busy with 'stuff.  Bought a GM 6.5L diesel Suburban a few years ago, had my way with it and am trying to sell it now.  Moved on to a 2014 Ram Megacab Cummins earlier this year to haul the trailer and well, those both required me to cheat on my first love, you all, and spend time on thetruckstop.us and cumminsforum.com.  But I still have the old girl and drive her around from time to time.  Bought my 12 year old a '67 Mustang Coupe which will be a complete restoration job.  So not sure how much time I'll have to dedicate to the Mercedes.  But she'll sit for a couple months, I'll go over glow her once and fires up like no one's business.  You never forget (or completely get over) your first love.

 

Ben near Detroit

Posted by: <bgiovan@cavtel.net>
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (11)
.

__._,_.___

Posted by: "Mark in Lakewood, CO" <beeser750@q.com>
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (12)

.

__,_._,___

RE: [diesel_mercedes] Hi Ben !

 

Brian told me I was being insolent by not checking in with the group!  So, I apologize.  Been really busy with 'stuff.  Bought a GM 6.5L diesel Suburban a few years ago, had my way with it and am trying to sell it now.  Moved on to a 2014 Ram Megacab Cummins earlier this year to haul the trailer and well, those both required me to cheat on my first love, you all, and spend time on thetruckstop.us and cumminsforum.com.  But I still have the old girl and drive her around from time to time.  Bought my 12 year old a '67 Mustang Coupe which will be a complete restoration job.  So not sure how much time I'll have to dedicate to the Mercedes.  But she'll sit for a couple months, I'll go over glow her once and fires up like no one's business.  You never forget (or completely get over) your first love.

 

Ben near Detroit

 

 

 

 

From: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 8:51 AM
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Hi Ben !

 

 

 


Glad to hear you're still with us Ben ! .

I'd forgotten about the Gray Ghost and remembered looking at your body work efforts .

Every time I see a nice old rust free W-116 sitting , waiting to be crushed I think of you .

-Nate
       Ben   wrote :

Brown one got parted.  The old gray ghost (1979 300SD) is doing quite well, thank you very much!  '79 with head off the '80 and cam from an '85.  Was dealing with the black goo but think I'vev got it sorted.  Now on to vacuum issues…

 

Ben near Detroit

 

 

__._,_.___

Posted by: <bgiovan@cavtel.net>
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (11)

.

__,_._,___

Re: [diesel_mercedes] Fuel Prices Dropping

 

In the north country winter always means higher diesel , but I think gasoline goes down. Max

On Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 5:39 AM, vwnate1@yahoo.com [diesel_mercedes] <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com> wrote:




Interesting .

Yesterday when I saw $3.89 for Diesel , I pulled in and Tom filled his tank , that place had RUG for $3.47 so fuel prices are dropping bit by bit .

Interestingly , last night the mouthpiece for the Petroleum Institute said prices are dropping because they're switching to ' Winter Blend ' whereas in the past every Fall they've raised the price claiming it was because of the Winter Blend's higher production co$t$ ~

Could it be we're being LIED to ? .

Nah .

-Nate
       Mark  wrote :

Around here, I've seen $3.94 down to $3.55.  I went to fill up yesterday, and just before I swiped my card, the owner came in and said, "If you can wait a couple of minutes, I'll save you 4-cents a gallon."  So, I waited while he reset the prices for the pumps, and paid $3.51.

Mark

 




__._,_.___

Posted by: Max temple <jasperezra@gmail.com>
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (10)

Improvements in Yahoo Groups Search
Searching for new groups to join is easier than ever. We've honed our algorithm to bring you better search results based on relevance and activity. Try it today!


.

__,_._,___

Re: [diesel_mercedes] Diesel Fuel Prices

 

Gezzz, I got my first Mercedes diesel in 76. Way different then. You had to know in advance where to go, price was  a giveaway price. Them days are long gone.  Got to drive my 240 to a house party over the weekend. Way up the Columbia River right on the Canadian border. Wow. Max

On Sat, Sep 20, 2014 at 4:07 PM, vwnate1@yahoo.com [diesel_mercedes] <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com> wrote:




They're all over the map these days , kinda - sorta reminds me of the  ' Gas Wars ' 40 + years ago when they'd put out a sandwich board declaring " TWO CENTS CHEAPER PER GALLON ! " across the street , all this and FULL SERVICE too ! =8-) .

I was out and about wth SWMBO the other day and spotted $3.77 / Gal. so naturally I stopped in for a tankful .

-Nate
       Brian  wrote :

Got a new friend at the corner of Arrow & Towne in Pomona. Reason?  Diesel was at $3.89 yesterday. My old friend was at $4.23 down the corner from where I live. I like to be true to my old friends, but a 34 cent difference in pricing will sever all shaky relationships. And they are just down the street from my $1 car wash - so I am a happy camper.  ps to Nate, sorry I haven't got back to you on the parts you are interested in - I'll email you today.

brian from laverne





__._,_.___

Posted by: Max temple <jasperezra@gmail.com>
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (9)

Improvements in Yahoo Groups Search
Searching for new groups to join is easier than ever. We've honed our algorithm to bring you better search results based on relevance and activity. Try it today!


.

__,_._,___

[diesel_mercedes] Hi Ben !

 



Glad to hear you're still with us Ben ! .

I'd forgotten about the Gray Ghost and remembered looking at your body work efforts .

Every time I see a nice old rust free W-116 sitting , waiting to be crushed I think of you .

-Nate
       Ben   wrote :

Brown one got parted.  The old gray ghost (1979 300SD) is doing quite well, thank you very much!  '79 with head off the '80 and cam from an '85.  Was dealing with the black goo but think I'vev got it sorted.  Now on to vacuum issues…

 

Ben near Detroit

 

 

__._,_.___

Posted by: vwnate1@yahoo.com
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (10)

Improvements in Yahoo Groups Search
Searching for new groups to join is easier than ever. We've honed our algorithm to bring you better search results based on relevance and activity. Try it today!


.

__,_._,___

[diesel_mercedes] Fuel Prices Dropping

 



Interesting .

Yesterday when I saw $3.89 for Diesel , I pulled in and Tom filled his tank , that place had RUG for $3.47 so fuel prices are dropping bit by bit .

Interestingly , last night the mouthpiece for the Petroleum Institute said prices are dropping because they're switching to ' Winter Blend ' whereas in the past every Fall they've raised the price claiming it was because of the Winter Blend's higher production co$t$ ~

Could it be we're being LIED to ? .

Nah .

-Nate
       Mark  wrote :

Around here, I've seen $3.94 down to $3.55.  I went to fill up yesterday, and just before I swiped my card, the owner came in and said, "If you can wait a couple of minutes, I'll save you 4-cents a gallon."  So, I waited while he reset the prices for the pumps, and paid $3.51.

Mark

 

__._,_.___

Posted by: vwnate1@yahoo.com
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (8)

Improvements in Yahoo Groups Search
Searching for new groups to join is easier than ever. We've honed our algorithm to bring you better search results based on relevance and activity. Try it today!


.

__,_._,___