My first diesel MB was a 1977 240D standard.
Had been used mainly in the city for 7 years by the previous owner.
When I bought it it was only running on 3 cylinders.
I removed the bad injector, it was seized, cleaned it with emmery cloth and then the engine ran alot better.
Still stalled at every light.
Was only able to get 60 miles per hour out of it.
I was told by the folks at MBZ.org to add a quart of 10w30 oil to my fuel and go on a long hard drive.
I did, I went from Vancouver to Kamloops, about a 3hr drive , the end bit is a highway climb mainly uphill.
In Kamloops it ran much better and only stalled a bit at lights.
On my way home, it was even better, the last leg to Vancouver is real flat.
A couple of trucks with a boat and jetski's flew by me, so I decided to see what she would do.
It had way more power, and topped out at about 92 MPH, the point where the governor stops further speed.
It didn't stall at lights anymore either.
The folks at MBZ had a saying about the old diesels,that I still remember.
"Drive it like you stole it"
I drove my 240D hard all the time, it seemed to run better all the time.
Hard driving removes the carbon and cleans the motor.
MB diesels have governors to stop us from breaking them.
I now have a 300D non turbo and I drive it hard too.
When I bought it I litteraly couldn't win a race with an old school VW beatle.
Now the car has alot of acceleration in comparison.
The old MB diesel's are perfect for the College boy.
They really don't have enough acceleration to get them in trouble.
If they do get in trouble, there is enough metal for them to probably servive.
The school kids actually think they look cool, ops BAD if they have low profile tires.
I have one for each of my boys.
