Which car is better for using biodiesel fuel...Mercedes Benz 300 TD or the 300D, both early 1980's cars?

Question

Which car is better for using biodiesel fuel...Mercedes Benz 300 TD or the 300D, both early 1980's cars

Answer 1

Both run great on biodiesel.  Get the TD if you have the opportunity because its zippier.

Answer 2

they both will run biodiesel...the cetane number of biodiesel is the same as that of petroleum derived fuel. They (300 series) should have Viton components which resist degradation by biodiesel... contrary to what you hear biodiesel exhaust does *not* smell like french fries (I know, I am running my 300TD on it)

also, oil pump in 300TD is run by a chain - not gear driven, if the car has high miles it is good to replace the chain... if it breaks (mine did) it will fry the engine...

Answer 3

Biodiesel is a better solvent apart from that it can be used in most diesel engine. For being a better solvent when you use a old engine it is always better to flush all the fuel system so that any parts taht would have attached to different tubings etc are removed. This will prevent the clogging of filters etc.

I find most of my information from http://boilkerala.blogspot.com also try http://biodiesel.org

Answer 4

the 1977 to 1985 Mercedes 300d had a precombustion chamber/IDI (In Direct Injection) and a heavy duty injection pump, that burned about anything you could put in it.  For that matter the 240d also is a good choice and more economical because it had the same engine but minus one cylinder and you could actually get a manual transmission which boosted the mpg.  These cars not only will run biodiesel, but in warmer climates will run vegetable oil with no modifications at all.  They are the only cars that can claim this.

But the E300d the 300td the and the new E320d mercedes will all run biodiesel just fine.

Owner of a 1987 mercedes turbodiesel running on 75% veggie oil and a 1999 E300 turbo diesel running on 100% biodiesel.

Good Luck Shutterbug!  The turbo MBZ's are great cars to drive in and you can feel good about the fuel you use, plus you drive down the road and smell like a really big french fry!  The guys at the toll booths always appreciate us, and let us know "they know" by saying "you guys frying the chicken, huh?" It makes everyone smile.