240D performance

My '77 240D with 125K miles hits a top speed on a flat Kansas highway with no wind of about 57 MPH. With a tailwind, I can get a hair past 60. Don't even ask about driving into a headwind or up a hill -- maybe 50 MPH. I know the reputation of a 240D, but I can't help but think I can get better performance than this. I have replaced the fuel filters, adjusted the valves, and run two bottles of diesel purge through the engine. The compression is good (front-to-back 305,405,375,405 psi). My mechanic neighbor swears there is a governor or something, but isn't the ALDA adjustment for turbos only? What kind of performance should I expect from my 240D? Thanks in advance.

Forums

Diesel Engine Specific Aid

Chassis Model Number

W123

Pull in the anchor

Wow, your description gives new meaning to the problem of cleaning bugs off the rear glass on a 240D! A healthy 240D should be able to top 80 on the flat. I have run across this problem on 3 or 4 240Ds in the past. It has always been either partially plugged fuel filters (don't forget the filter in the tank) or throttle linkage not moving the pump lever to full throttle! I had one customer come in after having had new carpets put in his 240D with your same problem. The carpets were too thick and the pedal could not go all the way to the floor. It was like driving a diesel with the anchor still out!. Check your linkage travel first and then clean the fuel tank screen. Let us know what you find. Kent

240D

It's good to hear I can do better. I actually had a dream that I passed another car on the highway! I removed the carpet some time ago and also had my wife push the pedal to the floor while watching the linkage travel, which looked to move the pump lever as far as it would go. The only thing I haven't done is replace the gas tank filter. I'll make sure and do that once the tank's not full and post the results here. My friend sold me the car for next to nothing after only having it a few months, because it was too slow. I will be ecstatic if I can get the kind of performance you mention, especially having never experienced it before. I'll post back soon...