Hello All

Long story short I bought my first MB six months ago ('80 300TD) and fell in love, paid $1800 put another $800 into it and it is a great car. About a month ago I decided to sell my two gassers ('96 Ranger & '89 Blazer) and go with another MB diesel, I'm now learning how to make biodiesel. For the last month I've been looking but not in any hurry then my Dad calls and told me he went to a friends house and they have one they want to sell. The good news it's a '78 300SD Turbo with 160K and looks great, and I could get it for next to nothing. The bad news is they have only started it two or three times in the past two years (it was running great before the parked it), he said he would try to start it this weekend and let me know what happend. So the help I'm looking for is if a MB has been sitting for two years what problems should I look for, or should I just run away. It's only 60mi from my house and I would change all fluids, fillters, and glow plugs (maybe update). Check hoses, vacuum lines and wiring for breaks or leaks. I think I would be willing to put up to 2k into this car to get it running if thats what it takes. I do have a good Indy who I will talk to in a few days and get his feedback. Any help would be appreciated I'm not a mechanic but have done a lot of work on the car from what I've learned from this forum, thank you.

Les

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1980 300TD 304K Miles "LuLu"

If it starts, GP's will be fine. You might want to crank it before the light goes out so it pumps oil around before starting. Check fluids before starting of course. Once it's running, walk around it and check it over for leaks, strange noises, etc.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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The early SD's are mechanically very similar to your TD. The engine will have a turbo, which means it will have quite a bit more power with really no sacrifice of reliability. The body structure however is quite a bit different. The early SD's (which are called 116 chassis) have a reputation for rust problems and rust in certain structural areas can make them unsafe to drive.

You would want to check carefully for structural rust before buying one of these cars.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

an area of concern is the brakes in a car that has set that long,.. they may be stuck or get stuck as soon as you use them. if you are a long way away a trailer is a good precaution so you can start with shorter drives to test things out... also algae in the tank. it wouldnt be a bad idea to get some algacide and do a kill in the tank as a precaution. if there was any water in the tank aglae will probably be a problem. fuel, brakes. after that if all is well when parked all should be well now and it should run. also battery will probably be dead and ruined. of course tires too will probably need replacing even if they have good tread from dry rot. good luck.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

No way should you buy this car besides being one of the worst diesels MB ever made after sitting for so long all the metal will have fatigued run from this money pit as fast as you can. Did you have the owner’s phone number by chance I just happen to be in the market for a money pit. Seriously it is in my opinion the best MBZ diesel ever made I have owned more w116 300sd than I will admit if it has clean original paint decent interior broken with a blown transmission it will fetch a grand on eBay. This is one car you should not let get away. I am generally against additives but since it has sat so long I would put a bottle of the oil additive that restores seals the kind you run for 2 to 3 hundred miles than change the oil. The rear main seal can tend to dry up after sitting for extended amounts of time I have used this and it worked I would also change the tranny fluid adding trans X drive it a hundred or so miles then change filter and fluid don’t forget to drain the torque converter. You will absolutely love this car if you do a lot of highway driving. If you decide to pass on it I would be seriously interested in it if the paint is original and in very good condition. Count your self lucky go get it.
Dave S

I was about to blow a gasket!!!

These are GREAT cars. Watch for rust.

--Matt


( Mattdave)

The above post is from my son who is still upset because I bought a 1078 300sd that he pretty much stole from me, Well because of some poor driving on my part it is now in the local junk yard and god it was a great car we put a low mileage engine and rebuilt transmission in it a year ago and now it is going to be beer cans because I love to drive fast in the mountains. Matt we will get another one I promise I might wreck that one too but you just have to have some fun besides deer don’t belong on the road now do they and whoever let California oaks grow so big right on the side of the road what were they thinking not even a tank like the SD wins that battle.
Dad

How fast were you going when you hit whatever obsturction?

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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