The SDL is the first IDI diesel I've worked on. I've helped many friends with their Powerstrokes and Cummins, but not worked on an IDI. It's been a learning experience for sure. Wouldn't say unpleasant, but definitely challenging at times.

The DV I pulled out of Cyl 4 had a certain amount of wear on the sealing faces. Without a magnifying glass, it wasn't even visible, but you could feel it when rotating the 2 halves together. I tried to get a photograph to post to the forum, but couldn't get any of the detail to show up. Not sure where the wear came from as all of the rest of the cylinders seem to be OK. The new (used) DV that went in had a nice smooth sealing surface.

My guess is that there was JUST ENOUGH of a leak to make it nail. Fairly amazing how something so small and minor can cause such a profound issue.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]