[Andrew R.]

Hey all
About a year ago, I got ahold of this 74 240- manual transmisson euro spec (khm speedo, and all stuff written in german- makes it cooler ) for a very very low price and always having interest in diesels I couldn't go wrong.
It is in great original condition-
one thing is that it needs an engine overhaul. When warmed up the thing smokes like there is no tomorrow.
I figured with the engine in the car, pull the head and oil pan off take pistons out do the rings rings and then the valve seals on the head. Would this be it? or would you say injectors/pump , and more. On a 17 year old budgit, need the cheapest way. This would be a secondary and car to have fun and learn with. Any ideas?
Thanks!

heres a pic of the car

 

[wsad]

That's TOO sweet!

How did you acquire it? I wish I could help you, but just do whatever needs to be done! Don't give up on it!

 

[Andrew R.]

Thanks man!

Well my dad has an auto repair shop, and this car used to come in. The guy had it shipped over from Germany a whiles back, got a lot of repairs done on it and then now he was looking to sell it because the engine is screwed and he didnt want to deal with it anymore because if you cant do it your self, these engines cost a lot to overhaul. So I butted my nose in and got the car.
[] - I guess have to love it now. Its now in the yard of the shop, Every time I sit in it- wait for the glow plugs starts right up GLEK GLEK GLEK GLEK ... - ahh do I love it. []

also those I believe those head lamps are American spec. I have to find out if he still has the Euro ones.

 

[StrichAcht 240D]

Did you check the compression? The older diesels do smoke quite a bit. If the compression ...

Did you check the compression? The older diesels do smoke quite a bit. If the compression is good and your not consuming more than about 1 quart every 1,500 miles, than the smoke could be caused by several other things. Check the timing on the injection pump. Also check the valve adjustment and the timing chain.

Forgive me if you know this stuff already - I don't know your situation.

Anyways, that is a beautiful W115! I really want a euro spec one. If you ever want to sell that beauty, Let me know! I am right here on Long Island! Very nice car! Good luck with it and have fun!

P.S. - Yes those are the U.S. headlights

 

[heckflosse]

Firstly, nice car!

Those headlights are US, the Euros like on my 230/6 have indicator...

Firstly, nice car!

Those headlights are US, the Euros like on my 230/6 have indicators above and fogs below the headlamp under an single lense.
The M616 was a strong engine and unless it's extremely high mileage you may get away with just some head work like renewing the valve seals.

 

[Andrew R.]

Re: Did you check the compression? The older diesels do smoke quite a bit. If the compression

Did you check the compression? ... Check the timing on the injection pump. Also check the valve adjustment and the timing chain....
Forgive me if you know this stuff already - I don't know your situation.

Ahh see I learn something new Nope I didnt know to check those things but I know enough to be able to do it. But the thing does burn a goood amount of oil, it is blue smoke, not black which the diesel makes. Plus I had to add atleast a quart just from driving it around the shop area for and idling it. Maybe after about 2-3 hours.
Thanks for the nice words about the car, Im sure you'll see it some day, and I'll get to see yours. Since it is a 74 car my dad can put historical insurance on for a very low price just so we can drive it here and there. Where on LI are you ?
Thanks!

 

[Andrew R.]

Re: Firstly, nice car!Those headlights are US, the Euros like on my 230/6 have indicator

Firstly, nice car!

The M616 was a strong engine and unless it's extremely high mileage you may get away with just some head work like renewing the valve seals.

Thanks! I see- I guess I will just check out the head and injector pump first, although I would not mind taking the engine apart- it would be something nice to learn from, and then having a new engine to break in on my own and stuff.

 

[StrichAcht 240D]

Yeah - If you have the time, resources and skill, you might as well tear the engine down. ...

Yeah - If you have the time, resources and skill, you might as well tear the engine down. I would check the Head to make sure it is within MB Specs (warpage), replace the valve seals, replace the timing chain and tensioner, replace the piston rings, hone and resurface the cylinder walls and check all the bearings (crank, rods and main bearings).

I am in Cold Spring Harbor which is right on the border of Nassau/Suffolk (right next to Hunttington). My 17 year old son's car is the 1976 240D - how coincidental! It is green also, but the darker "Deep Green" (825). I allways liked that pea green also. Well good luck with it and let us know how you do!

 

[Andrew R.]

Re: Yeah - If you have the time, resources and skill, you might as well tear the engine down.

Ahh yeah thats what I plan on doing the complete project Unless it is just the head, If I can get the smoke down with out doing major work, I may just run around with it like that for a while.
I have 2 friends that live in Cold Spring Harbor actually, and their almost 17- maybe your son knows them haha. Very nice area! That is cool that he drives a 76 240D when most kids have brand new BMWs-bahh! When it's all done I'll have to take a ride out there. That pic that you see is when the car wasnt washed yet, I washed it with special wax and it brought out more of the color, I will take some interior pics for you guys, You would like the german writings and such. The one thing I love soo much about the car is that everything in it is very simple, just your basics. No PS no AC no Power Windows, and under the hood- no spark plug wires, and so on [] Thanks for all the great comments! now I feel better about having the car.

 

[heckflosse]

Re: Re: Yeah - If you have the time, resources and skill, you might as well tear the engine do

Ahh yeah thats what I plan on doing the complete project Unless it is just the head, If I can get the smoke down with out doing major work, I may just run around with it like that for a while.
I have 2 friends that live in Cold Spring Harbor actually, and their almost 17- maybe your son knows them haha. Very nice area! That is cool that he drives a 76 240D when most kids have brand new BMWs-bahh! When it's all done I'll have to take a ride out there. That pic that you see is when the car wasnt washed yet, I washed it with special wax and it brought out more of the color, I will take some interior pics for you guys, You would like the german writings and such. The one thing I love soo much about the car is that everything in it is very simple, just your basics. No PS no AC no Power Windows, and under the hood- no spark plug wires, and so on [] Thanks for all the great comments! now I feel better about having the car.

If it's not a car you need to use every day then I would go the whole hog and strip the engine. You'll appreciate the car more if you've put the hours in!

 

[mbcarparts]

The car looks great...The 240D was never really very fast. I should know, I've had 2 like this. The first thing is check the compression using a leak down test. This will tell you where the real problem is.. If it's low, it could be a number of things. I rebuilt the head first on mine..new valves, guides and seals and camshaft. Then came the pistons and rings. There are steel sleeves in the engine that can be pulled and replaced, but sometimes it's easier to get aftermarket oversize pistons and rings. Even when the bores are really worn, the lower end is still in good shape and the oil pressure will still peg the gauge.

If your air cleaner gets black with oil, the bores are surely worn and your getting a lot of blow-by gases.

My car burns a lot less oil now. It only burns about 1/2 quart in 5,000 miles now, but it is still really slow.

I would try a rebuilt short block after testing the compression. It's a lot easier than finding a good diesel mechanic.

The real question is the car worth it...I would say rebuilding the engine (doing most of the work yourself )with parts would be a least $2000. You will need to pull the engine to do it.

Good Luck
Jim




Jim

 

[afroney123]

Glad to see that there is someone around here thats my age

Hows the Audi 5000 been treating you? I had a 86 4000CSQ and that thing was a P.O.S. It had barely cleared 110K, and then the whole thing fell apart on me. I suspect the person I bought it from had seriously abused the car, espically after I took a look at the gearbox and clutch. I currently own an 82 300D, which is recieving a transplanted engine. That may be your cheapest option, find a totaled benz which has low milage and has been stored well. I bought my salvaged benz for about 300 bucks, it has about 145K miles on it.

 

[dfwdiesel]

I would check timing chain stretch, first make sure it has new fuel filters, air filter, a...

I would check timing chain stretch, first make sure it has new fuel filters, air filter, adjust valves.
It may just also be sludged rings if smoke continues.
Use Mobil 1 15-50 and beat hard, especially a long trips to see if it improves. I seen some 240D's go from 200 miles per quart to 600 or 900 this way.
It can take 5 to 10K miles or more with some results being seen within 1000 miles.

In some parts of the country engines can be had cheap from pick and pulls if all fails to improve it enough.
Under $100 to rarely more then $250. Can take regular visits to find the right donor car. Super clean wrecks can loose the engine in a few days to severel weeks, not so nice looking rust buckets,and sorry looking more risky cars remain longer.
John Gregg

 

[mbcarparts]

Free 240D Engine

I have an engine from a 75 240D Automatic. It's been on my garage floor for 5 years. It will need to have your injectors. It's free, but you must pick up. It ran when pulled from the car. I have some of the service records. I'm near Pittsburgh, PA.

I was going to transplant it to a 76... but instead bought another car.

Reply if you are interested...otherwise, it goes to the junkman.

Jim