A related question, if I may...

My '91 350sd has an oil leak, which looks to be coming from the valve cover gasket. Looks and sounds like an easy enough job (did the same for a Mazda 929 once), but I want to make sure I'm solving the problem.

Some mornings the engine runs very rough and whitish smoke comes from the tailpipe. Can a bad valve cover gasket cause such a problem? Makes me wonder about the head gasket (please, no!).

No, the valve cover gasket cannot cause such a problem.

What's your starting procedure for the engine?

who's the shop in NoVA that is quoting $175? There's not a whole lot of indy's in that area and a lot are ripoff artists. Silver Star, HBL (local stealership). There's an indy shop up next door to Rockville Ring and Bearing (in MD) who seems like he'd be a lot more honest about the prices. No gurantees though..it's NoVA and inherently expensive.

Go the DIY route as suggested. It's the only way to keep MB expenses in check.

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

Starting procedure: turn key, wait for glow-plug light to go off, engage starter. It is possible that a friend who occasionally drives it might not follow this procedure (despite our repeated instruction).

Why do you ask?

Power wash the engine top and bottom. When removing a valve cover, check the timing chain,verify everything is getting lubed, look over upper chain guides if possible and adjust the valve lash.

for the record: my indy did a valve adjustment, timing chain check and, of course the gasket $98.72 out the door.
this in sacto. same indy the PO went to for everything.
-nB

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'83 300D Turbo
Current: ???K mi - 19.2mpg -> 17.4mpg -> 22.9mpg ---> ODO Died
bought at: 233.8K mi - 10MPG For $1.00
3.5 cylinders work: 320 320 100 340 280
Got insurance? FarmersReallySucks.Com

You could get a friend with somewhat more experience to assist or guide you while doing the job. An oportunity to learn and build up self confidence presents itself here. Just read everything pertaining to the job before doing it. To maintain this car into the future you do not want to depend totally on paid labour. I really do not know of anyway you can go wrong if you prepare yourself properly. The resultant savings spent intelligently will give you a good start on essential tools that you will require for the balance of your life. Remember we all started somehow as none of us were born with a wrech in our hands. You are reading this site and that alone shows good judgement in my opinion. This is a much simpler job than doing the brakes or at least requires less judgement in my opinion as well. Increases your comfort level too and that is also very important.

You know, for the most part I agree with you. In my case I wanted to be sure it was done quickly and correctly. I plan on doing all further adjustments, but didn't have the tools yet to do the job. So I paid for it. At least the price was fair from what I can glean.
-nB

__________________
'83 300D Turbo
Current: ???K mi - 19.2mpg -> 17.4mpg -> 22.9mpg ---> ODO Died
bought at: 233.8K mi - 10MPG For $1.00
3.5 cylinders work: 320 320 100 340 280
Got insurance? FarmersReallySucks.Com

ill have to remember that!

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MIKE
1987 300D Turbo, 225K
124.133/603.960

one of the first fishing boats i ever worked on had an Atlas engine (500 rpms if i remember right) all open had to be oiled constantly stopped and started in reverse etc etc etc at 18 years old 100 miles offshore and the captain says hey kid go oil the engine you learn stuff real fast Kinda like getting thrown in the lake and Dad says swim Oh and i agree dont touch the a/c oops some back yard wannabee wanna be shady and come fix mine

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

This is a 6 dollars, 10 minutes job (ok 15 minutes, if you have a pesky throttle linkage. I would even say it is easier than changing the oil. And you get to see the pretty camshaft .

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

New starting procedure:

1. Turn key.

2. Wait for 20 seconds if above freezing.
Wait for 35 seconds if below freezing.

3. Engage starter.


Please institute this procedure immediately and report back with your results.