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Mercedes 300D Suggestions

2331 messages,  Last post on Jun 12, 2013 at 8:38 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz 300-Class, Engine, Fuel System, Diesel, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 229 of 234

#2277 of 2331 Re: to fintail... [benzsilver] by fintail

Aug 08, 2010 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: benzsilver (Aug 08, 2010 10:48 am)
Those lights are pretty rare...you are wise to keep them. On those cars, it makes them look better...only on W111/108 cars do the US spec lights look decent.

#2278 of 2331 Interesting episode... by wwest

Aug 23, 2010 (11:36 am)

Driving north out of Yakima Sunday morning just after crossing the Harold Redmond bridge I noticed a car about 100 yards behind me appear to EXPLODE, big cloud of white smoke, steam(??). Driver seemed to take no notice as the car continued to follow us for miles, 70 MPH, trailing a cloud of smoke/steam all the way.
 
I first suspected it to be oil or steam but with it seemingly driving well I decided it could not be and therefore must be a "blown" diesel engine. As we started down the final cut, incline into Ellensburg, the smoke/steam stopped and the car accelerated downhill and passed us.
 
I was then able to ID it as a fairly new Mercedes-Benz Turbo-Diesel 4 door sedan..
 
Once it passed us our car windshield got quickly coated with a fine mist of.....smelled like kerosense....??
 
The last we saw the car she took the turn to eastbound I90.
 
Wonder how far she got...?

#2279 of 2331 Re: Interesting episode... [wwest] by fintail

Aug 23, 2010 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Aug 23, 2010 11:36 am)
Was it badged "turbo diesel"? IIRC that badge hasn't existed since the W210 300D of 1998-99.
 
Maybe some of greasel or other homebrew diesel conversion gone wrong? Or maybe some kind of head gasket failure.

#2280 of 2331 Re: Interesting episode... [fintail] by wwest

Aug 23, 2010 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Aug 23, 2010 1:07 pm)
Yes, top passenger side of the trunk lid was labelled "turbodiesel"
 
Those here at the office are guessing "holed" piston.

#2281 of 2331 Re: Interesting episode... [wwest] by fintail

Aug 23, 2010 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Aug 23, 2010 3:27 pm)
Could be it. Big clouds of anything usually mean some kind of catastrophe.

#2282 of 2331 Dead Battery by dotish

Sep 08, 2010 (7:50 am)

I've got a problem with something running and draining my battery while my ignition switch is off. It was a complete mystery until last weekend when I opened the hood and heard a rapid ticking sound that emanates from what appears to be the vacuum distributor, since it has a load of vacuum tubes running to or from it. I've got a manual, but can't seem to find out what the thing is, let alone why it's running.
My tendency is to jump to conclusions and it's cost me in uneccesary parts, so I'm looking for advice before buying an ignition switch. Thanks in advance.

#2283 of 2331 Re: Auto Transmission "Park" [Mr_Shiftright] by dotish

Sep 08, 2010 (7:58 am)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Jul 01, 2010 8:47 am)
Okay, I'm back. I'm now wondering if the starter lockout/backup light switch might be defective since I've been told that my backup lights don't work in addition to the car not starting in Park. Is this switch activated by something internal in the transmission or by something external in the linkage?

#2284 of 2331 Re: Dead Battery [dotish] by benzsilver

Sep 08, 2010 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: dotish (Sep 08, 2010 7:50 am)
dotish.... this problem is one I am not familiar with, however, if I were faced with the situation I would make sure the key was not in the ignition when you open the hood as , as you said the battery goes dead and that ticking could represent the battery's last gasp so to speak because of the key alarm, open door alarm or open trunk alarm( buzzers and lights). With that cleared uo, next perhaps the radio is not operated by the key, and again the battery's last gasp. Third, if you boost the car to start it, when you turn it off, be sure it is either dark outside or park the car in the garage, turn motor off, close garage door, turn off garage lights and see if there is any light inside or outside of the car, that would represent a closed circuit to some light source that should be open as the ignition switch is off, doors and trunk closed, and light switch off. Check your cigarette lighters and ash tray lights, glove box lights, switches for rear window defroster, emergency brake light, vanity mirror lights, seat warmer light. Make sure top of battery is clean and no corrison at terminals. Also, the disk brake sensing light may be defective or loose and draining the system. Let me know if this helps and happy hunting. benzsilver

#2285 of 2331 Re: Dead Battery [dotish] by burdawg

Sep 09, 2010 (7:09 am)

Replying to: dotish (Sep 08, 2010 7:50 am)
That "vacuum distributor" sounds like the servo valve to me, which is part of the climate control. It's also is electrical, so it could be the problem...............
Does it have a large block of vacuum lines, electrical connectors, and coolant hoses going into the bottom? If so, it's the servo valve.
The way I have always trouble-shot electrical drain issues is to disconnect the battery and put an ohm meter across the battery cables. Disconnect any lights, etc that could be activated (such as an underhood light) and then see what the resistance is across the cables. It should be very high. If not, then start disconnecting circuits by removing fuses until you find one that causes a big change. That will at least point you in the right direction. Some fuses are in line and may be more difficult to find. A good wiring diagram helps immensely.

#2286 of 2331 Re: Dead Battery [burdawg] by dotish

Sep 10, 2010 (11:57 am)

Replying to: burdawg (Sep 09, 2010 7:09 am)
Thanks for your reply. Yes, it's definitely the servo valve and it's definitely what's ticking when the battery is connected and nothing's turned on, including the ignition. If all that the servo does is related to climate control, I'll just disconnect it, since nothing except the defroster works anyway and I'm not going to need that any time soon in Texas.
Thanks for the battery drain troubleshooting tips.

Messages Page 229 of 234

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