Hello everyone!

I am new to the forum, and am hoping to purchase a Mercedes diesel soon.
I came across one that has been sitting for a while (about a year) and had recently driven a long distance (arizona to colorado). The owner says that the engine was re-built about 4 years ago by his step-father who is a diesel mechanic.
The car puts out some whitish-blue smoke on startup, and the owner says that it has been doing that every time but it dissapears once it warms up. The engine seems to run okay. I then took the oil filler cap off the engine when it was running and smoke started to come out of it, not alot but enough to concern me. Recently it also had started overheating (above the 180 mark) and it has been parked since then (another 2 months).

It is a project I know, but what am I looking at in repairs?
I know very little about diesel engines so i would appreciate any advice anyone could give me.
Thanks and sorry about the long post.

It helps to list the year and model of what you are talking about.

Since you said "180", I'll guess it's an early 240D or 300D non-turbo with american pressure/temp gauges.

it is a 1983 300sd turbo

smoking out the oil fill is not too bad if it is minimal. if it is a lot that is not good. the oily smoke on startup might be due to one or more dead glow plugs. does it run rough at first too then smooth out after a minute?

you dont mention a price.

on a good motor the smoke will be slight and just drift out. if it is shooting up like a geyser that is not good. it is indicative of weak rings.

tom w

__________________
[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.

The guy wants 1000 for the car. The car had a dead battery and we jump started it, so it was a little rough on startup. It did smooth out after a little while (about 30 seconds). It reved up smoothly and sounded good, with a slight hesitation when I let off the throttle. The smoke from the filler cap does waft out, not in large quantities. Would that also be related to the car sitting for a while?


Thanks for answering my questions so far Tom

Brian