Hello to all and many compliments on an outstanding forum. I just purchased an '87 300 SDL with 220,000 miles. It was a one owner car up until 190,000 and I have all the dealer & maint. papers up to then. The car is very solid and clean inside and out but I do have a few concerns mechanically. It has a terrible cold start. It will fire right away but run very rough and stall after 5 or so seconds. It will do this 4 or 5 times (until it gets a little warmed up?) before it will stay running and then it runs a bit rough until fully warmed up. It doesn't have any knocks or hesitation. I'm noticing a lot of black smoke on start up and also during acceleration and I am VERY disapointed with low and mid-range acceleration. It is almost embarrasing to drive in the city. I can't percieve any feel of turbo boost. I'm going to start with replacing the air (very dirty) and fuel filters and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The trap ox. was removed by the dealer. I would also appreciate the name of an honest repair man (for the major stuff) in the metro detroit area. Thanks to all in advance!

Keith

Replace ALL filters first, easy and cheap. Then check your records to see when the last valve adjustment was done. There could be other things causing this problem. Employ the "KISS" principal, Keep It Super Simple.

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1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

There is no valve adjustment required on these cars. I agree, replace the filters first. Before a cold start, make sure you let your glow plugs do their job. They don't stop glowing as soon as the light goes out, they keep going for about 30 seconds and if you let them glow that long I'm sure your cold idle will be better, assuming all your glow plugs work. If you feel no turbo boost, check for clogging in the plastic vacuum line going to your injection pump. If it's clogged it will prevent the turbo from kicking in.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

603's will skip a bit on a cold morning that is normal. But it sounds like yours is skipping really badly.

It sounds almost like you might have a weak glow plug.

As to the being slow off the line I am not sure I have not had to deal with that problem yet. Maybe a turn of the ALDA would help.

Change the filters before you do anything though, a very dirty air filter will cause black smoke.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The air filter is the first place I look as just trying to establish if past owner cared the slightest about maintenance or car at all. Unfortunatly most my aquisitions have had filthy air cleaners. Since this is absolutly the minumin effort to check and replace on a diesel and the results so common and generally known if dirty when i find this it means I will have to check everything of a maintenance nature out sooner rather than after awhile when I get time. Your case sounds simular. You almost know now that the other more involved things have probably not been done either. Some people feel a diesel needs nothing other than fuel filter changes no matter how long they drive it if even that. One thing to check pretty quickly is timing chain condition if the records you have show not changed at recommended interval as if it decides to part company the least of your worries will be the items mentioned in your post. The timing chain will still need checked though as if car has not had it's regular oil changes the chain is the most wear sensitive component with dirty oil inside the block. Think your engine is touchy about overheating as well so check and replace all hoses in cooling system that are even a little suspect. Your other items are most likely modest in comparison. Check belt or belts very carefully as well. Make sure car does not have green antifreeze, Look and see if brake fluid clean or dark. All will give indications and in some ways may make your other complaints easier to rectify as they will almost be just general maintenance items as well. This site will easily get you up to speed if you read the posts pertaining to your type engine. If I purchased a 603 type engine would not want to loose it just from lack of general maintenance. We have never met but there are one or two gentlemen on this forum that service mercedes independently in the detroit area and it might be cost effective to let them have a look if you either do not feel up to it or have the time. From their help freely given on this site plus the generally balanced involvement they display I do not need a recomendation as it is about as good as it gets. They will take the systamatic approach to your engine that you may lack plus the equipment or experience to do. Their experience and integrity might also save you a bundle down the road. Wish there was somebody like that in my area but there just is not. Just a few thoughts and my opinions. Oh yes, welcome to the forum it's by far the best one I have had the pleasure of experiencing by far. How they tollerate me is beyond my comprehension.

Welcome to the forum.

If you are not familiar with this engine, or diesels in general, it would be to your distinct advantage to contact WHunter, a professional mechanic, who is also a member of this forum. He works near you in a shop in the Detroit area.

I'm quite sure that the time invested with Mr. Hunter will pay you back many times in starting you off on the right track with understanding this new vehicle.

You can contact him via a private message through this forum to make arrangements.