Background: I purchased my 1981 MB 240D, 4-speed manual, back at the end of April and have put 6,400 miles on the car. I drive the car 2 or 3 days a week between Fayetteville and Raleigh, NC, or about 170 a day. Just came back from a trip and put on about 1,000 miles. Let Friday and came back Sunday night.

I have spend hours going thru the different threads, and can find some partial answers, so ……..

How do you check the oil level on the IP? I have changed engine oil twice and never checked nor added oil (engine oil I guess) to the IP. I have an Isuzu Diesel and the fuel cools and lubricates .

Valve adjustments -- Have yet to do this, but first I need to buy some special wrenches, 2 14 MM and a 27MM deep socket. Is this all I will need? When I look between the pulleys and the radiator, looks mighty tight to fit socket and wrench into. I do not want to turn the engine by using the starter.

MPG average since I purchased the car is 30 MPG, is this on the low side? When I drive to Raleigh and back, I get a good strong 30 MPG, but I dive between 60-65 mph. On the 1,000 trip I drove between 70-75 and my MPG dropped to 26. But the air was on high most of the time. Outside temp in the mid 90’s, in the car only in the mid 80’s.
But I see other get 30+MPG going 75+ mph. Are my MPG typical for 240d manuals?

Oil filter – Wix

Oil - 15W/40 Shell, I plan to change the oil every 4 to 5 thousand miles.


Bob
1981 MB 240D, 176,000 miles on car, 6,000 by me.

Your injection pump is pressure lubricated with crankcase oil. No need to add oil to it. To turn the engine over to adjust valves, I use the nut on the power steering pump. It works great.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Amazing vehicles for racking up miles. Thought of using synthetic oil? Have just converted my '83 240D (bought in Dec) to synthetic at 250k miles - noticable improvement in performance, less drag.

IP has no separate oil sump, routes off the engine instead. You can turn the engine using the power steering pump pulley for the valve adjust. And what I've done is discard the fan shroud to access the engine front. Your fuel mileage sounds typical to me, might get better with synth oil in the crankcase. But i cant vouche for mileage w/ AC, not working in my car. Changing the oil in the differential is good idea too. And think about flushing the coolant if you havent already, also flushing hydraulics with fresh DOT4 to extent the life of brake hoses, callipres and master cylinder.