[punky]

Hello, just got my first Benz. 4 speed 240d with 131.000 miles. Couple of newbie questions. My oil pressure gauge climbs up to max at startup and never varies. Is this normal? The car starts first bump in morning after below freezing overnight temps. Second question is that the car doesn't have a coolant recovery tank, just a hose from radiator going to a hole below radiator to bleed outside. Noraml or missing tank?

 

[Ed Mclass]

Oil pressure

Have you had the oil changed yet? The oil pressure should vary at idle, but should be pegged under normal driving conditions. If you are seeing it at the top of the range at warm idle, I would wonder what kind of oil is in there. The radiator has an overflow onto the pavement, not a recovery tank.

 

[punky]

Re: Oil pressure

quote
Have you had the oil changed yet? The oil pressure should vary at idle, but should be pegged under normal driving conditions. If you are seeing it at the top of the range at warm idle, I would wonder what kind of oil is in there. The radiator has an overflow onto the pavement, not a recovery tank>>

Thanks for the reply. No,I haven't changed the oil yet. The car just got shipped up to New England from Florida. Have original service book, car has had regular services,oil changes since new. Dealer said he replaced all filters recently. I just remembered, the idler speed control doesn't work, warm idle is a little fast which might be causing the pressure to stay the same. I'll try moving the throttle down and see if this makes a difference on pressure.

 

[Ed Mclass]

Castrol 20/ W50

I used Castrol 20W50, but your weather is much colder there. I wonder what they used in Florida. You can check the service book, but that would be heavy for the below 0 weather you have. It should have a block heater as well. If not, they are not expensive to install. I would do it to save the engine in harsh weather, not to mention the starter and battery.

 

[punky]

Re: Castrol 20/ W50

I used Castrol 20W50, but your weather is much colder there. I wonder what they used in Florida. You can check the service book, but that would be heavy for the below 0 weather you have. It should have a block heater as well. If not, they are not expensive to install. I would do it to save the engine in harsh weather, not to mention the starter and battery.

Most of the oil changes from Florida in the service book is Castrol 10w-40 and 50 w. I'll look around for one of those top loader pumps and switch to synth oil. I've been using it in my old Mazda pickup and it makes the engine really purr.
One of the other things I'd like to ask diesel owners is the new to me occurence of cars traveling behind you really keeping there distance or quickly passing you ,I assume to stay away from the diesel smell.
On one hand it's great to have the road to yourself but your also alienated in a strange way. Any opinions?

 

[Ed Mclass]

Smoke Screen

This special JAMES BOND feature is usually available only to Aston Martin owners. Take advantage of it! Keeps teenage drivers in HONDAS OFF YOUR TAIL![8D]

 

[MercedesMax]

a couple of things

The best investment you will make is not the block heater, but actually upgraded glow plugs (see my other posting on this). You will never look back; your car will start any cold morning and will run cleaner.

Don't put too heavy an oil over winter, it will mean harder starting.

Regarding the smoke screen. Get some decent injector cleaner through the system over the next six months - diesels don't have to blow smoke, they usually just need a bit of injector cleaner. A cheaper option is automatic tranmission fluid with a full tank or 2 stroke oil (yes, you put them in the tank!).

The 240D is a great car, albeit painfully gutless.

 

[punky]

Re: a couple of things

The best investment you will make is not the block heater, but actually upgraded glow plugs (see my other posting on this). You will never look back; your car will start any cold morning and will run cleaner.

Don't put too heavy an oil over winter, it will mean harder starting.

Regarding the smoke screen. Get some decent injector cleaner through the system over the next six months - diesels don't have to blow smoke, they usually just need a bit of injector cleaner. A cheaper option is automatic tranmission fluid with a full tank or 2 stroke oil (yes, you put them in the tank!).

The 240D is a great car, albeit painfully gutless.

There's no smoke at all, just those smelly fumes keeping tailgaters at bay. I just changed the oil and filter. Filter looked new, oil was very black and thick. Put in Mobil 1(0w-40), bottle said it was Mercedes deisel rated.Did I make a big mistake or can I keep it in until it gets warmer out?

 

[MercedesMax]

I say still invest in the glow plugs

By far the best $100 I have put into my 240D is the updated glowplugs. The car now starts as easily as my wife's 190D turbo.

The oil should be fine. I think people spend far too much time worrying about which oil, rather than worrying about changing the oil! As long as it is being changed with a reasonable quality oil, you are reducing the wear. Mobil 1 is an excellent oil, and I would run it through winter happily if I were you. Having a lighter oil will make it easier to start.

Don't be paranoid about smelly fumes. Have you ever sat behind a hard accelerating petrol engined car? The smell of sulphur dioxide nearly knocks you out! Diesel drivers have nothing to worry about, with the obnoxious fumes that come out of the back of other cars (it's just that you can't see them, so people think it's okay).