mercedes w123 230 conversion to diesel

WDB123

Has anyone converted a 230 petrol to a 240d on here 1979 cars,how big a job is it and is it very difficult to do,

Any help or advice would be great

twebb

would you not go with a 300d conversion? I don't think that is too big of a job

gyppo

I've toyed with the idea, but the 240d and 300d of the 1970's although long lived, wouldnt be the last word in refinement or efficiency. Im going to explore whether a 300D multvalve engine and transmission would be a viable proposition. You will pick up a 94/95 w124 300d for pocket money today. The old 240d and 300d engines from the w123 era are scarce.

WDB123

its just that i have the 240d engine

jerryg

I have posed this question before and I didnt get a satifactory answer,
However this company http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2137522 are doing a 90s diesel Mercedes, 300d non turbo conversion for 3000 euro,
I would like to hear from someone who has done this conversion!

Anan1

Surely it'd be cheaper all things considered to change cars?

twebb

my brother has converted a W116 from petrol to deisel, firstly to a 5 cylinder 300d from a W123 and then to 6 cylinder 300D...
He has a couple of 300D engines if anyone knows anyone looking for one.. also a couple of 280se engines:)

8~)

It's the 230 on a carb, right, being 1979?

What's the average mpg on that? I ask because I can't imagine there'd be a significant enough difference in mpg or power to make it worthwhile. If anything, replacing with a 240D would be a bad move for power and refinement in my view.

I've owned and/or driven w123s with the 200, 230e, 280e, 240D and 300D. The 200 on a carb is roughly as economical (29-33 mpg) and far quieter than the 300D. The 300D's great strength is that it'd pull any load all day long.

If doing a diesel conversion the only engine from the w123 range I'd consider is the 300D, I think with the 5 speed manual box.

For overall general driving, taking into account fuel consumption, power, etc. I'd opt for the 230e. It's a great all-rounder.

All that said, I guess it's not too big of a job if you want to do it, assuming a manual 'box. Engine mount locations are the same, there's no ECU so you just need to bolt it in and sort the fuel supply, electrical power and fit a manual button for the glow plug heating. Not sure about the gearing though.

8~)

twebb wrote: »

also a couple of 280se engines:)

Tell me more - maybe PM if not of interest to all here. What year, complete (with ancillaries, FI unit etc.) price, etc. I might need an engine for a '79 car but want the whole lot.

WDB123

yeah its the carb model,thats the issue getting the carb set up,i have had a diesel before and found it good and no bother,i know they run like a massey

i would be interested in 300d engine but it would have to be right money

also i am thinking about the veg oil route

as i have the 240d engine and box (manual) 230 is auto

twebb

The petrol engines I'm not sure are fully complete, but if I recall correctly one is a D-jetronic injection and the other is a k-jetronic.. Really don't think he'd want too much for them to be honest.. everything he has is diesel so they aren't too much use to him. He has 2 or 3 5 cylinder diesels and 2 6 cylinder ones..

8~)

Could be interested in a K-Jet 280 engine if it's known to be good and the right money. I have a car with that engine but with a noisy top end. Cost of fixing it might be more than an engine swap.

WDB123 - I found the 240D I had to be underpowered and screaming at anything over 60mph *but* it was a conversion from 200 petrol to 240D power so I don't know what the gearing setup was. Just that it felt like it needed another gear (was a 4 speed). But like you say, they run like a Massey. However, the 300D with a 5 speed was pretty good.

shawnee

Anan1 wrote: »

Surely it'd be cheaper all things considered to change cars?

Not really ! it is very difficult to get a good clean diesel 123. Most of them have several hundred thousand miles and if these were done on Irish roads the cars are wrecked. There are quite a few 123 petrol about. I have driven a few conversions and the best one I have driven had a 2.5 diesel engine from a 190 and had a manual box. The autos are sluggish and slow.:p

Kevin_Herron

My Father converted a few of them many years ago.
As far as I remember the only issue was with the Glow Plugs, as the petrol car would not have had a light or a timer. So a push button was fitted. You could of course fit a timer relay and would not need a light.

aidhan

WDB123 wrote: »

Has anyone converted a 230 petrol to a 240d on here 1979 cars,how big a job is it and is it very difficult to do,

Any help or advice would be great

I would think fitting the manual gearbox would be the biggest problem as i'm told the body is not drilled to accept the manual mounts. I drive a '79 200d as a daily driver converted using a 190d engine which is 75bhp similar in output to a 240d (74bhp) The gearing is 200 petrol which is too high making it slow up to 50mph but this cruises great on the motorway with around 40 mpg.
A friend has a 230e converted with a 2.5 engine w124 with an auto box. I think the 250d engine with manual box would be the best set up.
If you fit your 240d eng/box I would say the 230 diff would suit or wouldn't be far off.

WDB123

what kinda miles do you get out of the 200d ??

aidhan

I have done 9000 mls in the last six months at times using up to 70% veg oil (super value had it on special offer for a while 69c per litre) but it ran best with a 40-50% mix. This colder weather a 30% mix as cold starts would'nt be great.
Best mpg's was 44. down to 37. With the petrol 200 diff. it will do 97mph on m.way (has a diesel speedo fitted) with good accelleration from 70-90mph.Its very slow up to 50mph and bad on hills but I wouldn't change it even though I have the lower 200 diesel diff.

WDB123

I know wheres theres a good 200d thats all,I kinda think the 200d has novalty factor as there wasnt many in Ireland ,that mpg is good,so if it has an original 4 speed box manual & engine she will be slower top end do you think,

I am full of questions ,thats the trouble when you have little knowlage

new veg oil 50/50 mixed ,nothing to convert ,would you have to change fuel filters regular n clean out tank etc,or would the new oil avoid this hassle

thanks

aidhan

A lot of people talking about that 200d..
True they are rare enough in Ireland. some of them can be quite lively and some wicked slow. 60bhp. 240d is 74bhp and 300d is 88.
Using new clean veg oil I've never had to change a filter although I kept a spare. I keep an eye on it and it has kept cleaner if anything since I started using the mix.
A friend got a 300d estate from the u.k. that had been run on 100% used veg oil and the tank was ruined like an old chip pan.
There are five or six 123 diesel daily drivers here in Limerick. Most are conversions.
Original 200 diesel set up top speed would be around 75mph.

WDB123

I could live with 75 top end,I wont be doing much miles steady 60 would do me,might look into it rather than the conversion,
the 200d is it blue ??? the one you are on about

aidhan

Not sure what colour '79 in Birr I think..

WDB123

go thru birr all the time never seen it ,keep an eye out ,price ever mentioned,is it a good one