Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-21-2007, 08:28 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Carson City, Nevada
Posts: 31
3 vexing problems

Well, vexing for me at least.

I just bought a 87 300 sdl. Its a great car, but is exhibiting some bad symptoms that I was hoping y'all could help me out with.

1. It pumps out a fair amount of blue smoke (oil) when started in the morning, as well as rough running, until it reaches operating temperature. No overheating, and normal diesel smoke and a smooth engine after that. I checked out the car when it was warm, so I don't know it was doing this when I bought it.

2. It makes a clunking noise in the drivers front wheel well when the brakes are applied. Also, there is some vibration in the steering wheel and car seems to dive a bit to the left when the brakes are applied.

3. When driving down the highway, there is a noticeable change in the trajectory of the car when the pedal is pushed down vs. coasting. It feels like the wheels change directions without the steering wheel being turned.

Are these symptoms of common problems with 300 sdl's? Thanks for your help.

Cheers!

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-21-2007, 09:04 PM
Abandon the Roads!
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 283
While I can't say much that is specific to your car, you probably want to examine the front suspension components (removing the wheels if necessary) and take some pics of what you see. It sounds like you have some bad suspension parts moving in ways they aren't supposed to.
__________________
1984 300DT turbo 138k mi

Still hauling me to school and back.

Handy Site:
http://www.dieselgiant.com/
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-22-2007, 12:45 AM
Kuhlrover's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Washington
Posts: 122
You definitely have some front suspension issues. I would guess either in the tie rods or guide rods. You have components so worn that they are changing the toe-in on the wheels when you break or accelorate. This is a bad deal and can be very dangerous.

About the blue smoke. Does it smell like motor oil or unburnt diesel fuel? If it is truely oil, it could be either worn rings or worn valve guides and seals. How much oil does it burn per 1000 miles? What weight of oil are you using? Can you live with it or is it so bad the cloud envelops the neighbors house? Since the car is new to you, have it checked and tuned. Such as valves adjust, fuel filters, oil change and maybe a compression check.

TimK
__________________
EPA 609 & 608 HVAC Certified
_________________________________________
83' 300D Turbo - 300K + Miles
00' 1.9L TDI Beetle
85' 6.5L Turbo, GV-OD, GMC Suburban,
67' 2.5L Diesel NA - Land Rover Series IIA

Here's what you do if it's so cold your diesel fuel gels. Smear some on some toast and stay inside until it warms up outside.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-22-2007, 01:00 AM
Cervan's Avatar
Crazy mechanic.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: olympia washington
Posts: 1,809
White smoke means unburt fuel Or water . Blue smoke means motor oil. Black means partially burnt fuel.
__________________
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-22-2007, 02:14 AM
captainmonk's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: portsmouth nh-point pleasant nj
Posts: 554
1. probably the engine is a lil tired it is 20 years old Heavier weight oil might help a little a straight 40 weight compared to a multi vicosity But your valves are hydraulic no adjustment needed

2-3 most likely same problem and above advice accurate. Remember these diesel engines are heavier hence more wear
__________________
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)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-22-2007, 07:53 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Matthews, NC
Posts: 1,356
I just worked on an 87 300SDL yesterday with the same breaking problem and noise. It was the guide rod mount on the left front. Also a problem I have seen on a few 126 cars is the P/S leaking onto the left front guide rod mount.
As mentioned before, tie rods and control arms can also be the problem. On the smoking problem, does the car run smooth when started cold? If not, you could have a bad glow plug or two and cause smoke on startup. Had that problem on this same car. A set of glow plugs took care of it.
__________________
84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-22-2007, 08:57 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,832
the highway direction change could be rear suspension too. I have heard the 126 can rear steer with worn parts back there, have that checked too.
__________________
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!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-22-2007, 09:31 AM
TX76513's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brandon, Mississippi
Posts: 5,209
1. Could be injectors, EGR, Old age -
2. Guide Rods
3. Alignment - BUT SDL are very touchy on tire inflation - check pressure
__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-22-2007, 09:47 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Buford, GA
Posts: 438
(1) You could have one glow plug that is not working. My SDL ran rough until it warmed up and then, I had the glow plugs replaced. They had all appeared to work originally, but with the new plugs, it is a lot smoother when cold.

(2) vibration could be a number of thing. With mine, it was a couple of bent rims. I also had to have the front end bushings replaced along with the rear suspension links.

(3) the change direction upon acceleration /deceleration could also be a bad motor mount.

Once you get the issues straightened up, you'll love the ride.
__________________
87 300SDL - 215K Miles !!
99 F-350CC Dually PSD - 190K
86 300SDL - 189K
All on B-100
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-22-2007, 10:35 AM
bobman006's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 32
As to the blue smoke only at startup, I had the same problem when I first got my car. I had no visible oil consumption. When I finally changed my glow plugs, it went away. I also changed my oil more frequently like every 1,500 miles. Also, the 603 has a habit of the turbo sucking in little oil droplets through the CCV system and into the intake, which could run down through the valves and be burned at startup. It is a good idea NOT to overfill a 603.

So I say, make sure your oil level is correct, change the oil frequently, and get new glow plugs.

If your car burns oil, check turbo seals and valve seals.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-22-2007, 11:31 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Carson City, Nevada
Posts: 31
Thanks!

I will change the oil and the glow plugs this weekend and report back. As to the suspension issue, it looks like you have to compress the springs on an SDL to do much of anything, so it will head to the shop ASAP. Thanks for the help!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-22-2007, 11:48 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,832
compress the springs? only if you have to remove the lower ball joints... the steering and such components should be removable without spring compression. but a shop is best anyway, they can do the alignment as well. good luck!
__________________
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!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-22-2007, 01:00 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Portland
Posts: 191
Quote:
Originally Posted by lukas View Post
...and normal diesel smoke and a smooth engine after that.
"Normal diesel smoke" in a 603 is not much, if any, smoke at all. Very little noticeable smoke visible to the driver at least while you are going. Does it have a #14 head?
__________________
=-=-=-=-=
1987 300TD 231,000
#22, afterglow, plastic fan, euro lights, alternator upgrade, cluster housing update
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-24-2007, 08:37 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Carson City, Nevada
Posts: 31
Yes, # 14 Head it is.

What are the implications of that? I think the head is ok, no water in the oil or oil in the water.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-24-2007, 08:41 PM
lietuviai's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SW WA
Posts: 5,744
You could still have a cracked head w/o water in the oil or vice versa. There are lots of threads dedicated to the subject of a cracked #14 head.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page