RichC | June 16, 2013
Eddie Alterman of Car and Driver talks about his 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D and closes with, “it’s solid, reliable, robust, well made, it’s got a lot of integrity … and I hope that I represent those values.”
RichC | June 14, 2013
Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated (video/audio below). I’ve installed a new AC system (compressor, r/d & expansion valve) in my 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel after a thorough cleaning and proper charge, but occasionally there is a clatter-rattle when at idle. The AC seems to be cooling just fine and I think the [...]
RichC | June 11, 2013
So you really would like a Audi TDI diesel? (I nod my head yes) Well it’s not going to be cheap. Here are the 2014 prices for their A6 TDI, A7 TDI, and Q5 TDI as shared by Motor Authority. 2014 Audi A6 TDI starts at $57,500 — 24 mpg city/38 mpg highway for 29 [...]
RichC | June 9, 2013
I can’t believe Brenda wanted to drive the new old Benz on a 1000 mile road trip before I even test drove it on the highway, but she did. When I checked in last week and asked how it handled, she said, “well, it wouldn’t go much over 85?” Huh!?!? You’re driving the 1982 MB [...]
RichC | June 8, 2013
Some road trips are more epic than others, and I’m excited to announce that we have a pretty epic one planned. Today, two drivers, Wayne Gerdes and Bob Winger, depart from Volkswagen of America’s Herndon, Virginia headquarters in a 2013 Passat TDI® Clean Diesel. They’ll drive it 8,000 miles and pass through all 48 contiguous [...]
RichC | June 1, 2013
If it isn’t one thing, it is another when it comes to an old car in an unknown condition. Thankfully I’m getting to know my new beast and am thoroughly enjoying learning about and repairing some of those “unknowns.” The latest item in the multiple air conditioning components that I’m replacing is the auxiliary fan [...]
RichC | May 29, 2013
I’ve been accused of knowing a little about a lot of things, but not very much about anything. This becoming exceedingly clear when it comes to understanding automotive air conditioning systems and I’ve been getting quite frustrated. The first hurdle is getting over the “leave that to the pros” and “it is illegal to [...]
RichC | May 26, 2013
One of the tasks on my list this Memorial Day is to evaluate the interior of the new to me 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D turbodiesel. Although for its age the interior is in good condition, it does need both cleaning and some repair. Unfortunately I don’t have the repair skills enabling me to do this [...]
RichC | May 25, 2013
I’m looking forward hearing more from owners/drivers of the new Chevrolet Cruze diesel that will be available in the U.S. It will primarily compete with the Volkswagen TDI diesel line when it comes to price, performance and economy … and according to a USAToday article, may beat them at all three. (I’m withholding judgment) The [...]
RichC | May 24, 2013
RichC | May 23, 2013
In keeping with a slow once-over on the new to me 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel, it looked as if the previous oil change was not a diesel specific oil … meaning that it wasn’t designed for the additional soot carrying and lubricating characteristics often associated with compression ignition engines. Along with needing EIGHT quarts [...]
RichC | May 21, 2013
Learning, learning, learning. After spending the weekend putting a few things back together on the old Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel, after taking too much off, it is back on the road again with four new rotors, brakes and both bearing and races pressed into the hubs. I’m waiting for a few new AC parts [...]
RichC | May 18, 2013
I’ve been taking too many things apart and not putting them back together fast enough, so before I go any further, I think I’ll put some new parts back on? (forgetting where all my parts are from and where they go) I’m okay with working on brakes, rotors and wheel bearing, although I’m having [...]
RichC | May 12, 2013
EDIT: Still working the bugs out of the WordPress plug-in Postie (missing the text?) when it comes to including images and video via email from my iPhone and iPad. The above is a short test video demonstrating shutting down an idling 1982 Mercedes Benz 300DT 5-cylinder diesel using the manual shutoff under the hood.
RichC | May 8, 2013
I was up late Tuesday night taking apart the well crusted rear brakes on the new to me 31 year old Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel. It was a slower than usual process as the quality brakes were nearly down to metal to metal contact and so will require new rotor/drums as well as hoses and [...]
RichC | May 7, 2013
Hmm … it looks like some kind of ancient diesel is parking in my garage? It has been a long time since I’ve looked at one of these beastly relics. (our last was an ‘87 MB 560SEL) The overall condition looks pretty good considering the old Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel is over 30 years old [...]
RichC | May 4, 2013
Jay Leno does a great job shooting automotive videos in between his real job duties (aka: The Tonight Show) and occasionally detours into subjects that interest many of us. His recognition for aviation history and those who fought for our country is appreciated … as is talking about the amazing B-17. Nice job. On a side note, I would love [...]
RichC | April 3, 2013
BJ Baldwin’s Monster Energy truck with 850 HP and 34” of suspension travel … and some pretty impressive driving.
RichC | March 21, 2013
The Swedish automaker Volvo will be showing their new plug-in V60 diesel hybrid at the New York auto show later this month according to reports in the automotive press. This new information may hint that Volvo is considering bringing their pricey new hybrid to the U.S. after all; initially reports suggested it would only be [...]
RichC | March 15, 2013
While Brenda spends the week getting the house ready for an in town bridal shower for Katelyn, Taylor and I did our best to stay out of her way. We decided to replaced the rear brakes on his Volkswagen GTI earlier this week while he was home on spring break … although am sure he [...]
RichC | March 14, 2013
Automatic’s online video and marketing phrase, “save hundreds on gas every year,” seems a little bit hokey, but the idea of a device which connects your smartphone to your vehicle’s OBD port by bluetooth is pretty smart. For a pre-order price of $69.95, the tech gadget should be able to give you plenty of diagnostic [...]
RichC | March 13, 2013
The Volkswagen XL1 sure would be a different kind of car to own and would make stopping for fuel every 700 miles almost a pleasurable even. You could even spurge for “full service” and walk away with change from your ten dollar bill! (click for Autoblog “First Drive story) “The liquid fuel tank of the [...]
RichC | March 10, 2013
The all-electric TOYOTA i-ROAD makes its first global appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. With a width of only 850 mm, the i-ROAD can manoeuvre easily in urban areas. Turn corners smoothly with the i-ROAD’s Active Lean technology.
RichC | March 4, 2013
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel has a hill to climb if you are looking to save money on fuel, but with more torque than a hemi, “climbing the hill” is easy! The new Jeep CRD diesel is receiving mostly positive reviews (The Fast Lane Car video above) from car journalists, but at $50,000, a [...]
RichC | March 3, 2013
It is during the challenging times when people know they are associated with the right groups and organizations. A couple groups I belong to demonstrated their true colors over the past few weeks. The TDIClub, a Volkswagen diesel car club of which our local CinciTDI is part, rallied around a long standing and giving member. [...]
RichC | March 1, 2013
An automotive enthusiast friend of mine, Wayne Gerdes, is a noted “hypermiler” and posted a well documented write-up comparing three of the top selling hybrid cars for a CleanMPG report. His efficiently conclusion is about what my gut would have told me when looking at the car profiles in his photo above … Toyota Prius [...]
RichC | February 26, 2013
Not that the Volkswagen UP! is the sleekest looking VW model (image to right), but it may be the model getting the highly efficient 261mpg XL1 diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. According to Autocar.co.uk, the UP! minicar might be the 2-cylinder diesel and electric minicar produced en masse. I know VW enthusiasts would love to see the [...]
RichC | February 21, 2013
According to Car and Driver, American VW buyers have a shot at getting the 2014 turbocharged 2.0 liter diesel powered Volkswagen Golf GTD. The new performance model will resemble the gas GTI, but offer a 184 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque diesel. Revs for this performance are incredibly low at not much above an [...]
RichC | February 17, 2013
A handful of CinciTDI friends gathered on Saturday at Roosters in Fairfield Ohio with our Volkswagen TDIs and stayed warm inside most of the time for just a social get together (GTG). That’s not to say a few cars didn’t need a bit of "wrenching," but the temperature and wind chill would not have have [...]
RichC | January 29, 2013
One of my favorite automotive sites Autoblog mentioned that the long awaited (2011 post) Chevrolet Cruze diesel will be making an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show as a 2014 model. According to reports it should compete handily in the fuel efficiency area with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI … although I’ll be anxious to see [...]