Heater question - 82 300D

1108 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Ed Mclass, Feb 28, 2003

SKullman

Discussion Starter · Feb 26, 2003

I'm not really complaining at all about my heater, but I was wondering if anyone can suggest ways to get the heater to work faster. It usually takes half my 9 mile drive to get good heat out of it with a 5 minute warmup. Eventually the climate control will catch up, it just takes longer than my drive.

I'm more curious if there are parts or pieces that may need attention. I bought the car 2 years ago and these have been the first 2 winters it's ever seen, so I might make a guess that it's not used to having to make heat.

Of course let me preface this with the fact, here in Minnesota it's been Damn cold the past few weeks.
Facts: '82 300D Turbo, 150k, original everything except wheels and tires, all switches, gauges, buttons, ... work, all maintenence performed by the book.

Shane Kullman
'82 300D Silver

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Ed Mclass

· #2 · Feb 26, 2003

Old 240 D Trick

Hi Shane and WELCOME to the 123 Forum! Find a good piece of cardboard and cut it to cover half of your radiator. You can slip it between the front cowling and the radiator. When you close the hood, you won't see it. In extreme cold, this will help your engine warm up faster. Don't forget to remove the cardboard when the weather warms up! This will cut your warm up time considerably! Hope this helps!
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StrichAcht 240D

· #3 · Feb 26, 2003

Yes indeed!
...

Yes indeed!

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keymanwst

· #4 · Feb 28, 2003

Heater question

I would check and just replace the thermostat on an older vehicle such as yours. It's real important for these engines to warm up as fast as possible with each cold start, for a number of reasons. The thermostats get tired and usually fail partially open and even a slight leak will make that thing take forever to warm up! In a cold climate that cardboard on the radiator thing is very helpful too.

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SKullman

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 28, 2003

Thanks!!

I'll implement these suggestions this weekend.

Long as I have your attention...

Do people tend to do their own maintenence on their cars or do you have a competent mechanic do it? Also what service manuals do you suggest? I've seen one on CD that looks nice, but expensive.

Thanks,
Shane Kullman
'82 300D Silver

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Ed Mclass

· #6 · Feb 28, 2003

Maintenance Manuals

How technical do you want to get? There is a general service manual available at your local Pepboys or Autozone, $19.95. This pretty much covers the routine work. If you want to tear down and rebuild the engine, there is a manual avaiable from your MB Technical Publications at MB Classic. I would say the most critical thing to do is to keep the oil changed at 3,000 or 3-month intervals. Take a look at your glovebox booklet to see if routine service was carried out and by whom. Fuel filters should be changed every 15,000 miles. Take a look at www.performanceproducts.com for their 123 service suggestions and ideas. Many of the advertisiers on the forum can suggest ways to improve your car's performance.

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