BillR wrote:
Greetings One and All,
I am new to this - or any other discussion group. I have a 1981 300SD,
265,000 miles, that my son [diesel mechanic in the Air Force] picked up
cheap and rehabilitated for me. I love the car, but the harmonic balancers
went out on a recent trip, and at this point, with almost an inch of play in
the crank shaft, I think a rebuild is in its future, including a
transmission rebuild.
Questions:
I have 'only' been getting about 25 mpg - but see some that claim to get
in the mid 30's. I this likely to help that?
What should I look for/look out for on a rebuild? I think the guys who
are doing it know what they are doing and are honest, but is there anything
I should mention to them to do that they might not normally do? I'd like
for this to be my last car [just retired from doing fund raising for
domestic and international hunger], and would much rather spend a bit more
now for a better outcome.
The transmission has been banging a bit - mostly when cold and down
shifting. It seems to me that it would be worth it to have it all done at
once, but I am not, and having two in the family does not help when the car
is far away.
Suggestions appreciated.
Bill Ringgold
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bill, 25 mpg is good mileage for a 126.120 300SD. It is VERY rare fore
an owner to get even high 20 mpg or 30 mpg - not something that even
careful drivers can achieve reliably.
As to a PROPER engine or transmission rebuild - they will be EXPENSIVE.
You will NOT be well served by an engine that has been rebuilt
inexpensively!
I'd seriously start looking for a sound used engine. A low mileage one
from a recently wrecked car is a good bet.
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions)
"der Dieseling Doktor" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
'87 300TD 181Kmi,'87 190D 2.5 199Kmi, '84 190D 2.2 227Kmi, '85 190D 2.0
159Kmi, '87 190D 2.5 turbo 234kmi
Diesel Technical Advisor MBCA, member GWSection
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/mbooth1.htm
