MB 300D high speed testing and minor jury-rigged repair

| June 22, 2013

While traveling this week I decided to give the old 1982 Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel a workout. Even though it kept up with interstate traffic and pegged the speedo, I found that it did a little shake from 73 to 80 mph. Maybe an alignment and suspension adjustment when I decide new tires are in her […]

What does an old car tell the world about you?

| 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.”

1982 Mercedes 300D AC diagnosis

| 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 […]

The 1982 Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel – brutally tested

| 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 […]

Another component to replace on the Mercedes Benz 300D

| 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 […]

Repairing/replacing the Mercedes Benz 300D Air Conditioning

| 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 […]

Evaluating the the interior on the 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D

| 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 […]

Cracked CCV hose: The MB smells like oil

| May 24, 2013

Time to call Gary Gerber for lube and diesel oil advice

| 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 […]

A few more updates on the 1982 Mercedes 300D

| 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 […]

Removing too many parts from the Mercedes at one time

| 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 […]

Learning to manually shutdown my old Mercedes diesel

| 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.

Removing the crusted on rear brake calipers and rotor/drums

| 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 […]

Happy Birthday to me – A Mercedes diesel is parked in my garage

| 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 […]

Looking forward to a new MB GLK diesel in 2013

| May 25, 2012

Ever since the debut a few years ago, I’ve thought the rugged looking MB GLK sport utility vehicle has been a nice smaller addition to the Mercedes Benz SUV line up … but it would be been better as a diesel. Next year it looks like the U.S. may get the little 2.1 liter 4-cylinder […]

Dieter Zetsche of Mercedes backdropped by Che Guevara, huh?

| January 11, 2012

Without getting too political, I question whether Mercedes-Benz Chairman of the Board of Management Dieter Zetsche was thinking clearly as he gave his presentation at CES in front of an enlarged photo of Che Guevara? “Some colleagues still think that car-sharing borders on communism," Dieter Zetsche said "but if that’s the case, viva la revolucion!" […]

New Mercedes SLK250 CDI roadster is frugal on fuel

| November 21, 2011

Small Volkswagen and Audi TDIs in North America could always use a little more competition … how about an attractive diesel roadster with both performance and fuel efficiency from Mercedes? The 47mpg SLK250 CDI.   Mercedes’ newest SLK roadster combines thrilling performance, classic sportscar proportions, and (most relevant from our purposes) incredible fuel economy figures:  […]

Looking forward to hearing more about diesel hybrids

| May 26, 2011

  With the recent overseas photos of a TDI (Volkswagen) with the “hybrid” badge, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and indications that Mercedes is planning a 2012 E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid … then I’m getting pretty excited. As someone sure to take a bit of heat from my diesel and biodiesel oriented friends, I’m still going […]

Will the US get more fuel sipping European diesels?

| May 26, 2011

Great article in the WSJ talking about European diesels … Coming to America: European Gas Sippers Luxury Car Makers to Launch in the U.S. Fuel-Efficient Variations of Popular Models Previously Found Only Overseas European luxury-car makers are going to give U.S. consumers some tastes of the forbidden fruit they have been keeping to themselves. Joe […]

Intellichoice survey reviews 2009 hybrid and diesel cars

| August 21, 2009

A 2009 Intellichoice survey compared the cost of ownership beyond the sticker price by factoring in depreciation, financing, fuel, Insurance, maintenance, repairs and state fees. By doing this, consumers should have a better idea of what a vehicle’s long-term ownership costs might be and better be able to decide which vehicle is a better overall […]

Clean diesels and the AdBlue headache

| October 20, 2008

Although I’m a big fan of the new ‘clean diesels’ being produced by several companies, I’ve never like the idea that in order to meet emission standards that ‘some’ diesels require an AdBlue urea system. Basically the $4/gallon liquid is stored in a small tank and is slowly injected into the exhaust stream where it […]

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI on Motorweek

| March 11, 2008

The large 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI SUV equipped with the 3.0 Liter diesel was reviewed on the PBS program Motorweek this past weekend. I took a test drive back in August (here) and was impressed with this expensive and large vehicle. It certainly benefits from the diesel powerplant which will be upgraded with Urea injection […]

Mercedes Benz 2007 GL450 Walk around

| March 15, 2006

What’s wrong with this Mercedes Benz marketing video? (click here to view) Maybe its just me, but I’m not sure this was the best dressed choice for the national marketing of the brand new Mercedes Benz GL-class vehicle. For as much as Mercedes Benz spends on marketing and developing a premium corporate image, I felt […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
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