I've had my '85 300D nearly a week....I've removed the security system with no apparent ill effects. the car still starts and idles fine...The engine is covered with thick nasty gumpa made of oil/sand/hood liner/soot the oil cooler hose (upper) is getting chewed on by a belt. My current plan is to:

1 - thoroughly clean the engine bay and underside of hood
2 - replace the motor mounts
3 - replace the oil cooler lines
4 - assess/adjust valves
5 - assess source(s) of leaks
6 - assess vac system faults
7 - replace antenna seal (gotta have goals)

- scratch chin & shift attention to tranny & driveline & suspension


Does this sequence seem logical?

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Sounds like the perfect plan to me.................

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

While you are doing the motor mounts you may also want to check replace engine shocks and shock mounts. You will have them halfway out anyway. Once the new mounts are in place, check the accelerator pedal linkage to make sure you are getting to full throttle with the pedal floored and that the pedal can activate the kickdown switch.

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1985 300SD, 203,000 miles, dark blue

Lil Sarah says: "Poor old Grandma Blue Car...She's sad."

Do the oil cooler lines while the driver's side engine mount is out. That'll make the job much easier. And buy only MB lines from the dealer. There is a difference. If you'd rather order from Fastlane, call Phil and tell him you want the real MB cooler lines.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

That sounds like a good plan to me. I have had great luck with Gunk on the hard stuff and Simple Green on the lighter stuff.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200