I have been reading some old diesel posts and noted reference to an "Italian tune-up" as a way of cleaning out the engine. Just what is this tune-up, and is it recommended as a way to clean injectors, and get rid of carbon build-up.
My car is a 1998 300D turbo.

rsl007

__________________
RSL007
1999 ML430
2001 C320 Sport
2000 SAAB 9-5
1998 E300DT
1998 C280sport
1991 300D
1991 350SDL
1982 300DT
1972 Porsche 911 Targa

Drive it like you stole it.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Understand!
But in what gear and for how long?
rsl007

__________________
RSL007
1999 ML430
2001 C320 Sport
2000 SAAB 9-5
1998 E300DT
1998 C280sport
1991 300D
1991 350SDL
1982 300DT
1972 Porsche 911 Targa

You have a '98 E300? Be careful, flooring the car can be dangerous. Watch out for cops.

Drive it like this...

Click here for video

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

There was a recent thread about redlining an MB Diesel. Some fear it reduces engine life, some say it's good to blow the soot out of the system. There are many Japanese cars waiting for me to run at redline if my MBs won't put with it.

I run the SDL at ~80mph in third gear. Speedo clears the 3 dots and the rpms stop climbing. Depending on how long it's been since the last cleaning, the smoke will clear by 4000rpm or after a few seconds at 80mph. I should mention that I don't get to take the SDL on the freeway as part of my daily commute.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Drive it like this guy (large file!)

__________________
1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

That may be a little extreme, Jorn;

You don't need the sun blocking your vision.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

dslbnz, I love that vid you posted there! What car is that you're in? I love hearing an MB diesel going through it's high end RPMs!!!

__________________
1984 190D 2.2 Auto 220k
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 70K
2004 Lexus RX-330 ??K
2005 Chrylser Crossfire LTD 6K

Play guitar? Go to www.cyberfret.com for free online lessons!

I give the 300CD an italian tune-up all the time, almost everytime I drive it. It shouldn't really hurt anything, as long as the engine is warmed up, and there is pleanty of oil. As for my Subaru, I have yet to redlined it, mostly because I get scared by the time it gets over 4000rpm, and the thing redlines at 6500rpm

Me to, mine 300CD loves to drive fast. Yesterday when going home from work I decided to take a detour: from Hollywood all the way down to Malibu taking Sunset blvd., this is one off the nicest streets to tune up the car. I'm always amazed how good the car takes the curves going fast, like an arrow!

__________________
1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Thank you all for the input:
So, the question is just how long does one run the engine near the redline to get decent cleaning of the injectors and glow plugs.
1,2,5 or 10 min? And lastly, how often, if a car is used for mixed city and highway driving?
rsl007

__________________
RSL007
1999 ML430
2001 C320 Sport
2000 SAAB 9-5
1998 E300DT
1998 C280sport
1991 300D
1991 350SDL
1982 300DT
1972 Porsche 911 Targa

rsl007,

I have a 1998 E300D TurboDiesel too. I do this regularly, in an area on my way home from the airport where I am reasonably secure from the revenue gathering arm of the law. I will typically punch it in 3rd gear, run to redline, shift manually and keep it punched until I notice the cloud of soot diminish or my free path to do this ends. When I bought the car it never smoked at idle and I never noticed it smoking at any other time. It almost seemed like a non-Diesel. I decided to blow it out just to see what it would do and it blew a huge cloud of soot out the back. I do mostly highway driving, but have a few miles of rural/neighborhood driving to get to and from the highway. So, it still hardly ever acts like a Diesel in normal driving (it clanks in sub zero degree Fahrenheit weather when it idles, for example) but I do this pretty regularly now.

Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Jim:
Thank you for the advice.
rsl007

I learned early on that the 617s like it rough. Many mechanics told me too. In fact, its hard not to drive a 617 rough, for they aren't the most powerful engines out there (well, technically, they're very powerful, but not fast.)

The engine, like the human heart, needs to be exercised to be kept in top shape. This is how I think of it anyways. Like everyone else said- you'll be surprised at how smooth it is afterwards.

why is it "italian"?

how is it different from an 'afghani tune-up' or a 'mongolian tune up'

huh?

__________________
Jennifer
90 350sdl