I really appreciate all the input I've recieved from you guys of such great knowledge. I was pondering the first thing to tackle when I head out to the garage tommorrow, and thought maybe I could start with a compression check to see if I have any dead cylinders. Problem is I don't know where/how to pull glow plugs....if this is the proper place to screw in the guage. any hints on this would be great.
Also, how might I check the turbo for foul play? As in, how will I know if the rebuilt turbo is shot? Is there a specific test I can do to it?

Thanks in advance for all your wisdom........skip in VA

To check compression on a Benz diesel, you need to remove the injectors. You will need a compression guage for diesels. A compression guage for a gas engine does not measure such high pressure.

Good luck,

Don't forget to have new injector washers handy, you may want to replace them before putting the injectors back.

I have never worked on turbos. Based on reading from this forum and books, I have learned the following facts about MB turbo:

(1) Remove the air duct to the air intake of the turbo, turn the blade by hand (remember to turn off the engine and the engine is not hot). The blade should have no damages. It should turn free with no blocking or play.

(2) If the turbo is removed from the car, inspect both blades (turbine and compressor wheels) and inside the housing for damages.

(3) Turbo should not leak oil. If it does, you may see oil dripping down from around the bearing housing (center part of the turbo where the oil supply tube is attached). You may see black smoke from the tail pipe, huge black smoke during acceleration, or oil buring type of smoke from the tail pipe.

(4) It should not make strange noise when engine is running or accelerating.

I cannot think of anything else now. I am still learning.

David

[Edited by be459 on 05-11-2001 at 11:15 PM]