200D; Burning oil
 

Looking at a car, 1966 200D. Body is in very good shape. Trouble is car is burning about a quart every 150 miles.

Guy I may be buying it from says "someone told him" it could be the valve stems as the car was not used much.

1. I have not gotten a compression test on the car yet.
2. If he is correct do I have to pull the head to change out the valve stem guides on this engine?

Your thoughts please.

Regards Tom

No, they can be done in place. You will have to remove the cam rocker arms and valve springs. Fairly easy job, just be 100% sure that the cylinder you are doing is at top-dead-center before you remove the springs.

The seals would have to be almost rotted off to get to a quart every 150 miles. Just in case I would pay a price that would allow for a 240d good used engine replacement if required. . If you land up to not require it you are ahead. If it turns out you need it you have allowed for it. A rebuild of that engine is just too costly. Is that block before cylinder liners were used? I believe some of these early diesels had wall wear problems. I do not know if this was the period. A blowby test might give a clue and there are a couple of vacuum issues that can consume oil as well. Engine may be leaking quite a bit as well. I might insist he change the valve rubbers out if he tries to keep the price too high before concluding the deal and see if smoking has really dropped off. He says after all it is just the seals.