I own an 84 240DL, driven daily. Now, after 17 years, it's feeling a bit tired/sluggish. What, if anything can i do to perk it up a bit? its Non-turbo, and well maintained. I though about buying a new cam... I think what it really needs is a good tune-up, and some newer parts. Just, give me some ideas on problem items/spots, and general suggestions on how to tune it up, squeeze some more performance out of it.

Thanks for your help!

Praetorian,

How many miles on the car?

Lack of power could be due to many factors. Has the catalytic convertor ever been replaced? It could be partially clogged. The injectors might also be gummed up. How new/old are your fuel 'n air filters?

What are the compression values for each of the 4 cylinders?

If the oil has been changed regularly, the engine should not have excessive wear.

Im a Canadian, so you'll get kilometers and all that metric goodness, sorry :) .. around 250,000 kilometers on the odo.. Uhh, i dunno about the 'cat converter, I dont even know if we have those in canada. (forgive me, im not really all that knowledgable.) Thanks for the tip on the fuel/air filters, I'll have a look at them. Compression values... I dont know them off the top of my head, I'll get that checked, but, I think one of the cylinders is a bit weak, or, so my mechanic friend said. (the engine runs a little rough, if that helps... it shakes quite a bit... complains sometimes.) The oil, has been changed almost religously every 5-10 thousand kilometers... (3-5 miles)..

Thanks!

" .. around 250,000 kilometers on the odo.."

Let's see..250KM would be about 150,000 miles or so?

".. Uhh, i dunno about the 'cat converter, I dont even know if we have those in canada.."

I think you're right about that.

"Compression values... I dont know them off the top of my head, I'll get that checked, but, I think one of the cylinders is a bit weak, or, so my

mechanic friend said. (the engine runs a little rough, if that helps... it shakes quite a bit... complains sometimes.)"

Not good. Could be rings, or the headgasket (or something else).

" Thanks! "

No problem, but hopefully some of the more knowledgeable folks will chime in too. I'm just a shadetree weekend mechanic with dirty finger nails. ;-)