After about 3 minutes of diag, I've concluded that my glow plugs are all dead, all ohming out over 50k ohms, the wiring is good from the plug to the glow plugs, and the relay is putting out 12v to all 5 glow plug wires. What/where is the best place to buy glow plugs from?

The car is in decent shape. Has 123k on it, body is alright for the most part. Tune-up time for sure, I'm not too awful familiar with these cars. How many fuel filters are there? I see there is one filter, then also a fuel-water separator, that unfortunately, somebody has bypassed, that I need to repair asap. Is there a replaceable filter element inside the water separator, or is it just an open filter setup?


So far, my maintenance list consists of the following:
Glow plugs
fuel filters
oil/filter change
power steering fluid and filter change
air filter
rear diff fluid change
valve adjustment

Anything else I should be looking into doing? I plan on doing a complete fluid/filter change on everything, a valve adjustment, and repairing the glow plug system. I see it has the bullet fuse box setup like my BMW E28 5 series did, so I need to go thru and clean all of those contacts, but other than that, hopefully she should be good to go. Look forward t being here everybody, and thanks for any help in advance!!!


Do these engines ever come out of time? Should I be timing the injection pump while I'm doing my maintenance?

BTW - what is the best repair manual?

Enthusiast book from the 45 years of "the Star" technical Magazine ,covers 45 years of models

This is what was recommended to me, should I go with it?

I'd go with Bosch plugs, you can get them here at Fastlane.

I have not seen a water separator on these cars, although a number of folks here have put on aftermarket ones. I would not worry about reconnecting it unless you want an additional maintenance chore. There are three fuel filters, one in the tank, one clear plastic in-line, and the screw-on filter just before the injection pump. Keep those fresh and you should be fine. The tank filter requires an empty tank, be prepared for spillage.

Check your drains in the hood hinge area, and battery/brake booster area. You should see the holes, if you don't clear them out. Rust happens.

Make sure you have a good battery; if you don't know the age of yours, get a new one, it will help with starting in the cold.

Good luck with the car.

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

does the rear sit level in the morning? any puddles near the rear tires? you may want to check the drive shaft bearings and flex joints any cracks, replace them. rear CV boots got cracks? What color is the fluid in the brake master cylinder? what color is the fluid in the SLS system? the SLS fluid is pricey, like 20.00 per pint. so PO's may have put ps fluid or any number of liquids to keep it up.
when you check and adjust the valves, check the chain stretch too. high miles? you may need a new chain and tensioner guides
look at the sunroof, any rust chips around the opening? a new set of seals are pretty easy to change and really quiet the drive.
I have a LONG list of to do's on my 83 TD (like an inch of water in the rear footwells...) but my 79 is pretty easily driven.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

We are talking station wagon, right? (TD= station wagon 83 D=turbodiesel)

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

no, 1983 300 turbo diesel sedan. I hope I don't have SLS, I'm pretty sure it doesn't though, as I saw somewhat-new shocks in the rear.

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably be ordering glow plugs by the end of the week.

Is there a difference in Bosch or Beru glow plugs? I'm being recommended to buy the Beru units, and being told on another forum to avoid the Bosch?

Your model is referred to as a 300DT, as to differentiate it from a 300TD and 300TDT.

I was excited because I thought there was another wagon owner on the board.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

just a different brand i believe... i have heard good and bad about both and since i have never replaced my plugs i cant say which is better... sounds like you are on the right track getting the car back running right... good luck

Thanks. I think I'm going to go with the Bosch glow plugs, as that is what my supplier carries, and says he puts in his cars, and sells them for $11.30 each. I guess I'll place my order today.

Also, does anybody else have any feedback on a service manual? Can the factory manual really be bought for only $40?

I have a W124 so my experience may differ, but...

I have the Bentley (not recommended), the Haynes (recommended, but not as extensive as I was hoping) and the MB Shop manual on CD, which is thorough and extensive, but not the easiest thing to use. I like my shop manuals to be real, not on the computer.

Call 1-800-FOR-MERC to order a CD, I think the one for the W123 is $20.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Sorry about that. Thanks for the correction.

Just went ahead and ordered 5 new Bosch glow plugs, all the filters and a valve cover gasket.

Greetings, kendogg. I'm a recent 300 (TD though, not a D) owner too so I can't offer much advice-wise as I'm in the same boat as you. Mechanically mine is in good shape however I do look forward to the replies to lead me in the right direction in the future.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I highly recommed you take a look at Diesel Giant's website. He has just about everything you need to keep your car running and also posts good info on this board as well.

www.dieselgiant.com

FYI- there isn't a TDT or a DT- that's what some part websites put (incorrectly) to distinguish between turbo and wagon. The people here will tell you the same thing.

300D- diesel sedan
300E- gasser sedan
300TD- diesel wagon
300TE- gasser wagon

Those are what are written on the deck lids- they are the actual names.
Turbo is just assumed unless you write N/A next to the car name (not on the deck lid).

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

I have one too! 1981 300TD 258k miles everything works except for the HVAC.

It is common for these cars to have old coolant in them...and often the wrong type.

Flush well (until clear) and replace with Zerex G-05. Check all your hoses at the same time.

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2009 VW TDI Jetta Sportwagon 172k miles (rear-ended harder than Elton John on 8/4/13. Total loss)

1991 Volvo 240 142k miles (T-boned by a stop sign runner. Total loss)