C107's 1981 240D W123

[c107]

As I posted in the Projects Thread, I recently purchased a 1981 240D. I wasn't really looking one, but this super original car fell into my lap and I couldn't say no to it.

I've been enjoying driving it so far as its a good contrast from my other cars.

 

[c107]

Here is some information about the car:

1981 Mercedes 240D

About the W123 240D The W123 Series is one of the most successful and beloved models in Mercedes-Benz history. It was the midrange model in the lineup from

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And what it is like to drive:

What is a 1981 240D Automatic like to drive?

Yesterday I did my first proper drive in my 1981 Mercedes 240D. More information about the car can be found here. My overall impression is that the peop

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[c107]

Patrick was asking about specs for the 240D:

displacement: 2399 cm3
Bore: 90.9 mm
Stroke: 92.4 mm
Compression ratio: 21 : 1
Horsepower net: 53 kW / 4400
Torque net: 137 Nm / 2400
Top speed: 138 km/h / 86 mph
0-100 km/h (s): 24.7
Economy (l/100km):
extra-urban (up to 100km/h): 7.6-9.1
city: 9.7-11.6
highway (up to 140km/h): 11.1-13.3
average combined: 9.2

 

[Patrick_R]

A great write up mate.
Thanks for sharing.
lovely images of a lovely car.

 

[BenzBoy]

The 240D is a true gem.
How do the specs compare to my E250 CDI Estate?
Well:
Displacement: 2.143 litres
Bore: 83mm
Stroke: 99mm
Compression ratio: 16.2:1
Twin turbo
Horsepower: 150kws or 204hp
Torque: 500nm or 369 lb.ft
Top speed: 144 mph or 230kph
0-100 kph: 7.5 seconds
Economy (l/100kph)
Urban: 5.5-6.4
Highway: 3.9-5.1
Combined 4.5-5.1
Emission standard: Euro 6
Regards,
Brian

 

[c107]

The 240D is a true gem.
How do the specs compare to my E250 CDI Estate?
Well:
Displacement: 2.143 litres
Bore: 83mm
Stroke: 99mm
Compression ratio: 16.2:1
Twin turbo
Horsepower: 150kws or 204hp
Torque: 500nm or 369 lb.ft
Top speed: 144 mph or 230kph
0-100 kph: 7.5 seconds
Economy (l/100kph)
Urban: 5.5-6.4
Highway: 3.9-5.1
Combined 4.5-5.1
Emission standard: Euro 6
Regards,
Brian

That is a mountain of torque.

 

[Styria]

Huge difference, of course. It amply illustrates the progress in engineering attained over the last thirty five odd. years. Regarding Benz Boy's car - I have reason to believe that the Diesel engine can experience certain problems with the particle (?) filter - I wonder if there is any truth in that. Regards Styria

 

[BenzBoy]

Styria, some brands have problems with the particulate filter. Generally this is not an issue for Benz. The key to keeping the particulate filter clean is to mix longer trips with short town runs - which I make a point of doing. It is necessary to use low ash oil to MB specifications. The other key is to use an authorised service agent who can run a cleaning programme if necessary when the vehicle is serviced- again something I do.

Mercedes Diesel Particulate Filters - DPF Repairs and Cleaning

Mercedes Diesel Particulate Filters can become blocked. Learn about DPF Cleaning, Regeneration and Repairs for your Sprinter, Vito or Car.

eurostardiesels.com.au

Regards,
Brian

 

[Patrick_R]

Styria, some brands have problems with the particulate filter. Generally this is not an issue for Benz. The key to keeping the particulate filter clean is to mix longer trips with short town runs - which I make a point of doing. It is necessary to use low ash oil to MB specifications. The other key is to use an authorised service agent who can run a cleaning programme if necessary when the vehicle is serviced- again something I do.

Mercedes Diesel Particulate Filters - DPF Repairs and Cleaning

Mercedes Diesel Particulate Filters can become blocked. Learn about DPF Cleaning, Regeneration and Repairs for your Sprinter, Vito or Car.

eurostardiesels.com.au

Regards,
Brian

All very good comments Brian.
Modern diesels need to be maintained professionally for sure.
Brian, does your car run AdBlue?
Cars that run AdBlue have less issues with their DPF’s, but as you stated, good runs are desirable for all modern diesels.

 

[BenzBoy]

The Estate does not run AdBlue but the ML does.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Patrick_R]

More modern cars are now past using AdBlue with the extreme injection pressures used now.

 

[c107]

Been doing small improvements to the car such as fitting new sunvisor clips, still available new from mb although superseded to the w126 type that allow an electric mirror.

 

[c107]

Did the oil change. Diesels like this have black oil from day 1 but there was no sludge in the oil filter housing and the air filter was near new.

 

[c107]

Next was the under bonnet insulation. I was already doing the 107 (will post some pictures of that soon) so did the 123 at the same time.

W123 under bonnet insulation

The under bonnet insulation on my W123 240D had started to crumble on the edges. While it had only just started happening, it also appeared that the car did

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[Patrick_R]

Under bonnet insulation king!

Bryce, can you see inside the rocker cover?
Shiny metal?
As long as the internals are clean, doesn’t matter how the oil looks, it means it’s doing its job very well

 

[c107]

240D is going well, but like a lot of low mileage diesels it has sticking front brakes, and an algae build up in the fuel tank. All solvable problems.

Diesel purge attempt and OM616 fuel filter change

Since I purchased my 240D, I had planned to use 'Diesel Purge' to clean the injectors and injection pump. The car runs well, but it is a bit rough at idle a

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240D algae, hoist inspection and minor jobs

Yesterday, I posted an update on my 240D showing how I had changed the petrol filters. A friend pointed out that my filter was full of algae. My 240D wa

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[c107]

As a low mileage diesel, I have been sorting out algae problems in my 240D!

240D algae part 3 - removing the W123 fuel tank and fuel strainer

Over the last few months, I have been dealing with the algae problem in my 240D. I've been quite busy with my trip to Victoria and work, so the 240D has be

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[BenzBoy]

Read your story so far on your other site- what fun! (Perhaps not). In my opinion your 240D is a very special car so the efforts will not be wasted.
Regards,
Brian

 

[c107]

Read your story so far on your other site- what fun! (Perhaps not). In my opinion your 240D is a very special car so the efforts will not be wasted.
Regards,
Brian

Yes, these are all issues with a low mileage car that sat around a bit. But given the condition of the car, I don't mind doing these things.

 

[c107]

240D algae part 4 - Cleaning the W123 fuel tank

Earlier this week, I removed the fuel tank from my 1981 Mercedes 240D. This was because I was unable to get the fuel strainer out from the bottom. It tur

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Now most of the gunk is out of the tank.