This is the best tech forum I have found for these cars.
Congratulations Guys?

The car was owned by a service shop owner, so I assume it was maintained:
Brake rotors look near new, minimal rust
But, it has glow plug issues.
The mechanic carefully sprayed starter fluid at the air filter intake (from about 1-2 feet away) while I cranked so we could test drive, nice smooth driver, heat, lights, good brakes, a littel "loose" in the front end. Then stared well for the rest of the day. I gave them $1600 cash, and they delivered it to our house on a flatbed.

Any comments, advice, words of encouragement, for a newbie?

Mark
P.S. I never had a diesel before:
My other car is a 96 toyota previa, with cronic sensor issues and poor 17-19mpg but ALWAY gets me there.

__________________
1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Not a good idea!! Why didn't it start on it's own?

Where are you in NJ?

It was aboutabout 35f outside when we did it at 7:45 am in Northern NJ last Saturday. There was no glow plug light, I hadn't read any of this yet, and he was the expert.

Do you think it will be a big deal to fix my glow plug system. He said it was the timer, but I've read it is best to start by replacing the plugs first, so I am planning to try that this weekend.

Mark

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1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Hi there
I had similar issues when I bought my Benz and had to troubleshoot cold starts. The plugs are relatively cheap ($11/ea x4) and you can remove them using a wrench, though access to them is difficult. Expect greasy knuckles. I ended up replacing my glow plug relay as well--look for the "new"/"updated" relay kit, because it allows after-glow: essentially it will provide power to the plugs after the light goes off, for extra help. Also, check your battery: what does the sticker say for month and year? When I bought my car, the battery "looked" new but was actually 7 years old, and will have problems delivering the juice to the plugs before you've started the car.
hope this helps

Congrats! These W123's are great!

How about some pics?

__________________
Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

My parts car started with 2 year old diesel in the tank in 18 degree weather...on the third engine revolution.....you have glow plug issues and or COmpression problems....I would get it checked out by an independent guy before you fork over cash.

__________________
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

Thanks for the advice.
Assuming I do not have a compression probelm, What kind of longevity can I expect from a car like this? I know that is a loaded question, because longevity = the point when you decide it is better to get another car, rather than maintain it. The guy I bought it from probably considers the car to be finished now.

Mark

__________________
1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Will the 4 glow plug / time kit work with 1 additional plug?
anyone try it?

Mark

__________________
1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Welcome
The answer to your questions is not easy. You must get better info on its repair and maintenance history. Properly done I have seen these things run for over 300K.
Considering you are going to give $1600, if you can get 50 or so thousand miles you are far ahead, and you get to talk ot nuts like us
Let us know how we can help
Nice car.

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

Its possible it needs nothing more than a few glow plugs.....but assume nothing.....

__________________
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)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"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

Best money you can spend is to check previous threads in search function. It is possible the more you know the less you spend. You most likely have a glow plug or glow circuit issue since the light on dash does not seem to function. With knowledge you can run down the offender or offenders with less cost. These cars are fundementally easy to learn on compared to the majority out there. As you have noticed support is tremendous as well but the onus still is for you to participate. Not a car type to run to garages with for every little item. Above are just my own opinions but best of luck with car. You should buy a cheap digital volt/ohm meter if you do not have one already as it is indespensible in helping you save money on glow plug and many other types of problems. You have to start somewhere. Everyone else on this site by one method or another started at some point with little or no knowledge. Oh yes, I believe you can use the long glow relay with either 4 or 5 plugs. Saw the delay relay and 4 plugs for 95.00 new somewhere the otherday. You just buy the fifth plug for 11.00 I believe.

Mark check out the pre glow system 15-705 15-708 15-710
http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/service/w123/index/617T/15Engine/Elec.htm then ask questions if needed. KHB1

hey MArk,
Welcome to the forums!
Did you notice the Sticky's up top? LOTS of useful info there.
Congratulations on your purchase and good luck.

With a little TLC that car will be very good to you!

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

You're on the right track, just search the forum for testing the glow system.

My money is on dead glow plugs (this is why your glow light doesnt come on, or flashes). Pick up some new Bosch's from any worthy parts supplier.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Good advice here, read a lot and don't throw a bunch of money at it.

Weak batteries and slow starters also cause starting problems.

Do your back windows go up and down? Typical 123 coupe problem.