Fixing Up An Old Diesel-Powererd Mercedes, Continued

[@mganymed8165]

Hello Simon, I'm from Germany/Berlin and couldn't believe my eyes when someone from the USA started working on a Mercedes 240 D. You should know that this model series has long since disappeared from the German streetscape, but was the taxi model in Germany and Europe until the early/mid 1980s. I myself had a 3.0 litre diesel from this series, they were extremely reliable but also boring and slow. Today in 2024, the picture has changed, today they are "eye-catchers" and are revered. In Greece and Turkey, they still run as taxis, some with a mileage of 2 million kilometres. The engines are oversized and can be overhauled at any time. The big problem was rust, which you can also see on your green bouncer. From here I can only tell you that you carry out the repairs with absolute professionalism and I appreciate the fact that you now wear protective gloves when handling the various liquids and often support your vehicles when you lift them. You set standards compared to the many screwdriver videos that repair their cars with a mechanical jack on sand. And as an outro I find your various cat relationships funny, I also have a stray cat who sometimes sits on my BMW S1000 in the morning and thinks he has to tell me his women's stories. So, I am eagerly awaiting the continuation of your 240 D development, and if you need support with parts or whatever, I will be happy to hear from you. Michael from Berlin

[@maoxian]

"his women's stories" made me laugh.. cheers!

[@ЕвгенийЧерепанов-ц4б]

Приветствую, Михаил. Судя по стилю Вашего комментария, Вы скорее всего переехали в Германию из Казахстана. Я родом из Казахстана.

[@gushchinica]

@@ЕвгенийЧерепанов-ц4б А может из России)

[@thomasknobbe4472]

Just from observing the quality of the components, these cars look like they were designed to last forever. They kind of remind me of farm machinery from the 60's and 70's, which was still designed then with the same intention.

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

My best friend used to drive around in his grandfathers 300TD wagon, we used to have a blast driving around in that thing.

[@mfc4591]

sounds of nature, tools clinking, engines, no rubbish music or chit chat, what a pleasure. A man who knows what he is doing.

[@beboboymann3823]

Simon……I’ve done basically what you’ve done here for new brakes all around on my ‘85. I want to warn you of a disaster lurking waiting to happen and that is the driveshaft u-joints. There aren’t any. This model uses rubber donut components that most owners do not inspect and they fail and drop the driveshaft flipping the car. Do a thorough inspection of them front and rear and replace if any rubber degradation is observed. You can handle it. Not as hard as the brake work.

[@patricks8086]

Almost all Mercedes Benz have those same rubber joints. Also inspect the carrier bearing, engine and transmission mounts. All are commonly worn out and fairly inexpensive.

[@ikaros4203]

They’re called flex discs

[@perkypat2214]

Is there a modern rubber free or safer version that can be used?

[@patricks8086]

@@perkypat2214 Unfortunately, no. Even Mercedes from the 2000’s use this same basic setup. But a joint would have to get VERY bad to drop a driveshaft, you would definitely notice something was wrong first.

[@elext9q]

yes those are often called "guibos", good advice

[@buggy478]

I love your videos. Full of peace and hope and the silence is wonderful. Greetings from Poland. All the best ❤️

[@WilliamEllison]

it's the best.

[@tabrown01]

For real. I save his videos for evenings on long days when I need to turn everything off for a bit.

[@soulextracter]

The wonderful silence, occasionally broken by aggressive wet fart sounds.

[@nimas.1415]

FCP Euro is my go to for euro car parts. Lifetime replacement on all parts, even wear items. Brakes, oil, filters!

[@dirkwittig2929]

Hello Simon, I also come from Berlin and have driven several W115 200D (/8). I still own one, but it hasn't been driven in almost 27 years. Your great film over two parts convinced me that my /8 also needs to get back on the road. Thank you.....best regards Dirk. And it's also nice to see how much success your channel has had recently.

[@Mason_Dixon]

Good mechanic and editor......What we have here ladies and gentlemen is a real life "JACK OF ALL TRADES"

[@evanjc5780]

Simon Mercedesman does not disappoint

[@handyman007]

Excellent content, well done. When I replace tie rods or ball joints, I keep the nut top flush with the top of the threads, then hit it with a hammer. Works first or second hit everytime

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you. I only keep the nut on like that if I'm reusing the tie rods, incase I accidentally hit the threads. Otherwise I don't see the advantage, to be honest.

[@chrisgreen1094]

I used to do oil changes on my E30 320i from under the bonnet/hood, I’d slide a thin drain pan under the car then as the drain bolt is on the side of the sump, I could just reach down through the engine bay and undo the drain bolt and the oil filter is just above it. No need to jack up the car, it saved so much time.

[@SimonFordman]

Don't know why I didn't think of that, great idea

[@patricks8086]

Well done Simon. It’s always a pleasure to watch your videos. That old Benz is by far my favorite to watch you work on.

[@VintageTexas59]

Great work fixing up the Mercedes again, I had a 1975 300 D back in 1986, first diesel I ever owned but what a nice comfortable car and in the winter months even better. Was equipped with a block-heater for the engine and made it so much easier to start those frosty winter days. One time it was so dang cold and bad snowstorm going on all evening and night..I left the car running the whole night.. lol Diesel was cheap back then...defroster on high speed and such a good insulation on these cars..kept it warm & cozy inside. Snow tires made the Benz go like a tank thru ice and snow, just a great automobile built with quality !!

[@SimonFordman]

All night, wow haha, thanks for sharing the story

[@hondeep]

Señor, le brindo mi más sincero reconocimiento, un excelente vídeo sin comentarios, sin música y sin torpes añadidos extra; después de verlo me siento tan feliz como su gato de las últimas secuencias. Una suscripción más desde España, enhorabuena.🥰

[@milanpanek9850]

Hello, Beautiful work. Just a practical detail: when you want to knock out a ball joint, you can't just hit it from one side. You need to hold a larger hammer against the other side to prevent it from bouncing and to make the impact compress the housing so the joint pops out. 😉

[@nickgiard8553]

What have we all learned here ... Old German cars are a pain to work on! Still love em though. Man another great video. I didnt even read the title, just saw the new notification for your new vid and watched it. Probably my most favorite channel now. Used to be road kill and vice grip garage but they are so commerical now. Your channel is every back yard mechanic with basic hand tools. Actual mechanic vs parts changer. Rebuild parts vs replace em. Awesome job man. Keep em coming!

[@detroitdiesel7074]

Old bmws are fantastic to work on, it’s like a breath of fresh air with something that’s actually *designed* to be repaired

[@nickgiard8553]

@@detroitdiesel7074 well that's true, a bit more complicated and often last longer too

[@detroitdiesel7074]

@@nickgiard8553 yea I’ve got three e34s and 2 of them have over 220k on the clock, incredibly solid cars.

[@nickgiard8553]

@@detroitdiesel7074 I'm soon getting my dad's 2002 z4 with 250km on the clock and she still works like a top. He has had it since new and haven't missed a beat. Well the top stopped working this summer but I'll fix that when I get it. Pretty stoked

[@detroitdiesel7074]

@@nickgiard8553 nice, that’s a little new for me, but I hope you enjoy it

[@gushchinica]

Ну до чего же аккуратный и грамотный парень! Мое почтение! Час созерцания эстетической красоты! Такому Мастеру можно доверить свою машину и свою жизнь!

[@1977id]

When you watch the brakes change, when you know that the first disc will be replaced, followed by the second, and so on until the last, it calms you down. Even the cat wonders what's going on! Thank you!

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks for watching

[@GhettoWagon]

good trick with the vice grips and the adjustble wrench ill use that when i need twisting. Never seen that even in all my shop years

[@ptp79]

Best Car repair channel on KZbin !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Alex-ku2ff]

hm ... best repair channel? and heating up axle parts

[@VIEW66]

Of course, the application of the BMW parking brake and the pressing of the power window button deserve their own shot. The shot of the 240D undercarriage worthy of George Lucas - Bravo!

[@harryireland1935]

Fantastic, as usual. Even though this isn't your car, it's got loads of character and I just prefer the older stuff to these modern, plastic cars. Hope your move to a new home has a place to wrench.... cheers, Simon!

[@unclewilly2]

Love your videos, back to true simple honest youtube. I've got myself a 1974 240D been using it as a Dayliedriver for the past 12 months, going to park It for the winter this year. Those cars don't go along well with winter, water and salt... 😅 Otherwise it works perfectly for European road and fuel price conditions.. Mine got the 3,91 gears with manual Trans. It pulls ok and Tops out at 75-80mph but cruises we'll at 55-60. Arround here I'm getting 30 - 35 honest mph.

[@SimonFordman]

Nice!

[@mikbigton2267]

Perfekt. Die gute alte Technik 🤩nicht klein zu kriegen.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

For a young guy, you’ve got some crazy good skills Simon, really enjoy watching your vids, inspires me to get some of my own projects in full swing.

[@horaciosanchez7947]

I love when you work on this old Benz and the beautiful sound of that diesel completes the great video!!

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks!

[@litdabber21]

That's totally insane! I daily an 86 325 and I have a 75 240d with a seized caliper too!

[@SimonFordman]

Wow

[@gregrussell5374]

Simon, thanks for your videos. I learn tips and tricks every time.

[@middlefork6530]

I love the fact that you love your kitties

[@madyura]

Конус рулевых пальцев тоже смазывай графитной смазкой, в следующий раз рулевые тяги и шаровые снимуться гораздо быстрее. Ну и съемники конечно же, стоят не дорого, а работу облегчают. Желаю удачи и больше новых видео 👍

[@Seneka008]

Это не графитка. Это Алюминька. В Америке ее используют.

[@madyura]

@@Seneka008 возможно,но и возможно,что графитка Перматекс,по видео Батюшки один в один.

[@Seneka008]

@@madyura В описании этого парматекса указано. "изысканная смесь алюминия, меди и смазок графита". Потому и цвет у неё не черный а алюминиевый!

[@eduardojacon8640]

I developed a new anxiety: waiting for new videos from Simon. This is not just a video, it is a work of art. 🇧🇷

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks!

[@joecordaway3783]

Basic tools, a ton of knowledge and experience and one of my favorites to watch. Keep them coming SimonFordman.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

I am so happy to have discovered this channel. I could watch all day❤

[@kimwulff6062]

You can also use cat litter, the stuff you use to put in litter trays, for use when oil and other liquids are spilled on the floor, it's great, just in case you didn't know.

[@SimonFordman]

I like Zep spill absorber, It's a finer constancy than litter or the gravelly type stuff at the parts stores.

[@tomcobey4015]

Thank you for another hour of fine content. I consider myself lucky for discovering your channel.

[@johnkendrick7304]

Another fantastic video thank you. That is probably my favorite era of Mercedes-Benz. Those breaks must have barely worked if it all before you fix them

[@roloe6381]

Grandeee Simon.. aprendemos mucho con tus videos. Saludos desde Uruguay.

[@Hellcat71782]

I have a low mileage 1982 240D. 145,000 miles. 4 speed. Things super clean.

[@jamesspencer404]

Every week it’s more subscribers. Happy for you. Really look forward to seeing the new videos. Great stuff

[@chasenewberry6866]

Glad to see the orange cat blessed your BMW engine

[@chrism.2231]

Been enjoying several of your videos this past year. I find it relaxing, if not a little twisted on my end, to watch you work. First of all, I appreciate where you are filming from as my daughter went to school at Minnesota for a year and her freshman dorm was over at the St. Paul campus by the fairgrounds. I think it was the Ford F-250 video when got it you were under that bridge on campus by the river, I was guessing. Not too mention some other sites looked familiar. She is still in school but in London now. I preferred this continent, but that is a dad thing... I keep threatening her I will have her bring home some MG parts, but I digress. I am actually more of a sports car guy. I raced a Ford Fiesta Mk1 (places like Road America and Blackhawk Farms Raceway, here in the Wisc. area) and have owned several BMW's. Heck, I have owned several cars, period. I had an E-30 about that same vintage in red. It had a slushbox in it or I might have kept it. That was 25 years ago. Better build quality than the E-46 I have now as my daily. It is fun and you can feel the lineage in the car, but I enjoy the earlier cars. Anyway, just thought I would let you know your time with the camera and the channel is appreciated. Take care and keep enjoying these cars while you can.

[@loudfast1261]

I always watch till the end to see the cats😅. Nice work once again SF🎉

[@nunyabuziness8421]

I subscribe to a lot of channels and this is one of very few that I look forward to when a new video comes out. I don't get parts from RockAuto because they have no customer service

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you and yea, you're not wrong about that.

[@DPcar-mania-65]

No fuss, straight into it. Great channel ! Great viewing ! Great content ! 👍

[@vannerdherd]

Duder, you have skills to make great moola anywhere...either mobile repair, working for a ma & pop shop, or even your own shop...You might want to make these videos as ASMR playlist, then do a voice over and make them as a How To series on maybe another side channel...idk...but whomever you mentored growing up taught you well. Cheers!

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

Cats aaaalways know a sucker when they see one... lol Cool couple of vids on the old Mercedes. An old friend of mine used to be an import mechanic down in Tennessee years ago and I can recall all the old cars he used to troubleshoot there in the shop he worked for, as well as at home on the side (he's how I ended up with my '89 VW Cabriolet, as a matter of fact). Saved a lot of money over the years with careful shopping on RockAuto... I think you beat me when it came to the number of mice, though I DID have a live one that was a copilot for a few days in that old Cabby. lol Enjoyed the vids over here on the far western side of North Dakota.

[@paulfellows2094]

excellent work yet again you are very enjoyable to watch and learn from jobs well done thanks

[@mariuszkorycki8042]

Hello Simon,you make great videos and I'm sure you know that from amount of praise you receive in the comments. I wonder if you have plans for tackling rust on your Mercedes . That might be like a cherry on top of the icing. Best regards. Mariusz from Warsaw

[@andrewlisenby9693]

I compared a Mercedes 240D with a Volvo 242 back in late 1977. The Volvo was about $7500, versus the 240D at over $10,000.00. I ended up buying the Volvo, but I've wondered if I had bought the Mercedes would I still have it today? I sold the Volvo in 1979 and bought a VW Rabbit Diesel, 45+ mpg. Maintenance is the key for longevity in any car, but especially for the diesel versions. You are a very good mechanic, Simon.

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you

[@0745VaclavDubskyMVDr]

Simone na tu dobu to byl vůz velmi luxusní měl jsem ho v České republice tomu říkali piáno ❤❤❤

[@staric4863]

Another cool contemplative video about a well built car. Plus I learnt a few things (ejecting the piston from the caliper this way for ex) Thanks for that.

[@agee8322]

Cool. This weeks installment of Simon fixing stuff therapy. P.S - havent watched through yet, but using a grease gun is a good way to pop out stubborn caliper pistons.

[@TihomirTesanovic]

WELL done Simon it is a joy to watch your videos, you are one good mechanic !🚕🏍

[@БезПроблем-к1ф]

Я обожаю старые машины,сейчас таких не делают,ничего лишнего ,ремонтопригодные ,прасты в обслуживание. У меня у самого есть Мерседес 123. он конечно моложе чем ваш ну очень похож По конструкции , В ближайшее время планирую еще приобрести себе авто в коллекцию...Удачи вам ,с меня лайк и подписка.😉

[@JaughnDough]

A hose from the bleeder valve submerged in brake fluid at the other end.... absolutely genius. I will be stealing that idea next time I do my brakes for sure. Such a pain trying to coax somebody to come help me.

[@halvardollikainen3999]

Nice 😊👍. I have had good success with using two hammers when loosening ball joints or tie rods from their taper.. hit it with both hammers at the same time from opposite sides. Not always access for this. but when it is, it has been working great for me.. 🙂

[@SimonFordman]

I'm gonna try that next time

[@zaffvideos5688]

Great to see you have a work bench after all. Way to go Simon. well done.

[@ptp79]

You deserve atleast a million subscribers already... I am just so sure that you will hit it very soon.

[@andrewgrace4410]

Thanks Simon for another great video 🐈

[@Alwayswatchin2534]

You've done more top-notch work in getting those bolts taken out on the differential, you figure out what to do and how to get it done. Keep these videos coming along they're great 👍

[@stevevlossak2443]

Simon, i really learn alot from your videos, you are an awesome mechanic buddy keep ehm coming

[@digitalgulby]

Hello from a local MN neighbor. Recognize those roads you’re driving on.

[@SimonFordman]

Nice!

[@texascottonfarmer]

👍👍👌👌 Well done! Thanks for the video. I like your style of video recording and editing. I also like the extended format and ASMR.

[@ЕвгенийЧерепанов-ц4б]

Приветствую, Саймон😊. После просмотра твоих видео жалеть можно только об одном - что видео закончилось. Лучший канал про обслуживание настоящих автомобилей молодым человеком с прямыми руками. Не обижайся, что к тебе на "ты", мне далеко за 60, так что простительно. Не знаю, как переведётся мой комментарий на ваш язык, тут уж как получится. Всего доброго, с уважением.

[@ryanhodges7101]

Ah, the noise an empty gear lube bottle makes. One of life’s simple pleasures.

[@gorankrajnovic]

I didn't know I needed an ASMR car repair video on a Saturday morning but seems I did. This was great. Also, maybe that orange cat can help to find the rest of the mice in the Mercedes :)

[@unclewilly2]

Always a good thing to know about those old up to ~1985 mercedes Diesels is, that the injectionpump has its own oil reservoir. You have to change that to.

[@SimonFordman]

Yes I should’ve done that, didn’t realize till afterwards. Next time

[@marcelotelles9455]

Another masterpiece. Relaxing and inspiring.

[@0745VaclavDubskyMVDr]

Výborná dostupnost a práce .Vše nové super ❤❤

[@chrisbar6230]

I love videos like this. I bow to your work, to what you can do - namely everything. But my question is always: you go to such an incredible amount of trouble and work - why is nothing (!) done about the rust, no holes plugged, and not all the rubbers (on the front axle, etc.) replaced at once? It's so unfair, with the tough German TÜV - other countries, especially the USA, have it much, much easier. Something like what you do, wouldn't and couldn't happen in Germany.

[@RidersInBlack]

Best hour and ten minutes of my day

[@jimmyngktpi]

Love this video ! Great detail into the brake service. 👍

[@barryburkholder4000]

True artistry. A pleasure to watch.

[@marcels5237]

Beautifull cars and Nice work.I love this old cars.Mercedes and BMW-two diferent sounds but beautifull😊 👍👍👍

[@gabrielmoreno1592]

Tenes un GRAN FUTURO muy bueno tus videos saludos desde Argentina !

[@ptp79]

Hi Simon, i was literally waiting for your video all week... it didnt appeared in my feed. So I went to your channel and just found 37 minutes ago you uploaded one.. Man I am super excited.. Love your videos man !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks!

[@ty2010]

Similar to all I had to do to make the 300d a daily to make 4x as many things shake out :/ differences - I didn't feel comfortable chewing on caliper pistons with pliers so I bolted the two halves back together attached the brake line and put those lines to the test getting them out differential I got the plugs out with the kind of impact driver you use with a hammer, almost habit with steel in aluminum from having snapped too many fasteners on motorcycles Important - replace the 2 main (or only) rubber lines in the fuel system and refresh/replace the manual primer, one is under the back seat,replaced mine while doing shocks, the one under the hood exploded right as I turned on to my street after a long trip, same long trip that all the shifter bushings gave way 5 miles before my destination and I had to finish stuck in 2nd gear XD miss that car, it held on as long as needed, had a tire blow 10 blocks from home, put spare on and it got me 50 feet from the driveway before it popped *under hood hose search "fuel banjo hose" should be cigar shaped, it keeps the fuel pulsing from pump from exploding the line or messing something else up

[@billm83army]

Love these videos, no talking, just doing

[@elext9q]

28:34 next project is to clean those gutters! But for real, love your vids, especially the long ones like this.

[@pks41805]

I wish Simon all the best. There is not a better channel (maybe Mustie) on KZbin.

[@SimonFordman]

Yea Mustie is great

[@kemalkemal7961]

I am also a fan of the w 115 chassis. My car is a 69 model with 220 gasoline. I installed the same brake center. I am waiting for the rest of the w115 videos.

[@lanfrancosenno7536]

Bella revisione delle pinze freno complimenti per latua manualità 😊

[@Bayer1968]

Best German Cars ever. This ist real quality. 2 Million Kilometer no Problem. Greetings from Germany/ Bavaria 🍺🍺👍👍

[@andreti2010]

Ese gatito curioso jajaja me encanta tu respeto hacia los animalitos. Saludos!!

[@wolftmfg]

Nice content, pretty hooked. Judging the tachometer from the 325, it’s an ETA.

[@Carter45ofthecrescent]

Quite the repair video. Use alcohol jell or liquid for sticky stuff

[@jasonatkin6787]

I bought a car that had been smoked in, and tried everything, but the only thing that worked was an ozone generator. It requires multiple treatments and as somebody down below mentioned, you'll want to leave your blower fan ON and in recirculate mode during the treatment. I put a battery charger on my battery so as not to wear the battery down. I'd do 90 minute treatments this way, probably did half a dozen of them all told, and the smell is completely gone.

[@SimonFordman]

Good thinking. I let it run a couple times but I see that wasn't enough

[@ptp79]

You gave Catnip to Gino.. Now Gino will never forget you !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@woodsontr]

😉 Click, click. Thanks for the video. Yours are some of my favorites.

[@musasahin592]

Greetings from Turkey Simon, I like your videos very much, you do great work. I'm following :)

[@TheKerb10videosandpictures]

Wow, that;s my old 1969 240D 😍😍

[@SilvioCastelluccio]

Just go to the store and buy reman calipers? Nope not Simon. Pull them apart free them up rebuild them. Hard work truly is pain. Doing it right is pain lol. There are no shortcuts here. Just time, effort, perseverance and pain.

[@s.salari5800]

I really enjoyed watching this video.

[@thomasknobbe4472]

So good to see you back in the driveway after the experience with the Pontiac. You are so systematic in rebuilding those brakes, I would get in this car and drive it with confidence. Do you suppose some of that stain and odor remover you use on your carpet after your cat uses it as a bathroom would help with the mice odor? Maybe spray some on the inside of the seat cushions, under the carpet and inside of the door cards. You would probably have to remove the seats, disassemble them and then clean the backs of the fabrics to really get it out, anywhere they nested. Too bad, that would really detract from the enjoyment of puttering along in this machine. All the best!

[@SimonFordman]

Maybe it would help, I'm guessing there may be more rodent evidence hiding somewhere, probably in the headliner. Fortunately the smell is only that bad when you first get in the car after it's been parked. Once you roll the windows down and get moving it's pretty ok.

[@luismoraes-v7s]

Aqui do Brasil acompanho o teu canal , aprendo muito , tens uma técnica interessante abraço.

[@Григорий-ю6й5ш]

The best grease for brake pistons is special grease by TRW or ATE. Brake fluid is not lubricate at all.

[@winnerscreed6767]

From what I have heard I thought It would destroy rubber🤔😟

[@SimonFordman]

I find it works well, it doesn't need to be an ever lasting lubricant, it's just to keep the seals from ripping or the metal from scarring when you put it together.

[@Scotty4806]

Nice! Video. Thanks! One the best part of the videos always the end. Very cute cat's. Congratulations!

[@rong.7768]

buy a puller for the tie rods and steering levers. when I see the hammer I get dizzy... 😁

[@ernstleib317]

Very nice Service on the Mercedes. Good work. You drive 500000 tskm with this old car. very good car .👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 You must fix the rost .

[@juanmaledesma7208]

Muy buenos tus videos un abraso desde ARGENTINA!!! 💪💪

[@AM4project]

Simon great video! Next step 50k subs before the end of the month!