I purchased a 1981 300TD wagon recently, with a pretty nice overall body, just a horrible paint job. Interior is very clean. The odometer stopped at 197000 so no telling how many miles it has on it. I noticed it to be leaking a little bit of oil so I asked my friend the mechanic to analyze it and figure it out. He told me 2 of my gaskets(crankcase? and valve cover)needed to be changed, but he only changed one (Valve cover). The amount of oil my car had been leaking increased. So I take it back and we open up the air filter and there was a considerable amount of oil in there. He tells me that there is a lot of blow by happening within the engine the only way to fix it is to drop a new engine in there. The car to me runs pretty good, not really any rough shifting, starts right up. I want this thing to be my daily driver (Far commute) last awhile. Would it be wise to drop a different motor in there? Or just continue to let my car leak oil? Suggestions on what would be the best route for me to take... Thanks for all the help...

Is it a greaser by chance?

Some folks feel that a wvo conversion will stick the rings on one of these diesel motors. stuck rings will cause massive blow by and high lubricating oil consumption.

If that is the case some oil additives might help clean the rings out and get it "off the sauce" so to speak.

Tom W

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[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.

Get a new mechanic. If you read thru this forum, you'll see that many 617 engines have a fair amount of blowby but continue to perform well. As long as your engine is running fine, there is no reason to consider replacement.

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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

yeah, I would start with removing the air cleaner assembly and cleaning out the oil separator, sealing up any leaks it has, replacing the vent tube off the top of the valve cover with the new style, and making sure you have a clean air filter. then I would pull each glow plug, and squirt some marvel mystery oil in there and let it sit for a week. test all the gp's while you have them out and replace any that are not Bosch and are not working. spin the motor over thoroughly before you put the GP's back in, to be sure no mmo is left on top of the pistons. see if the oil leaks subside.

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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!

just wondering what everyones input would be, on my situation. i found someone selling a 300TD wagon engine for pretty cheap and apparently it only has 131,000. would it be wise to replace mine, if i can get a great deal on installation and engine? ($1700) or should go with," if its not broke, don't fix it attitude." thanks for all the replies....

If yours starts easily the engine is fine.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine