A friend of the family is getting rid of his 300SDL and asked me if I wanted it. It is in good running shape, no visible rust, and he just had the exhaust done. I have wanted a diesel Mercedes for a long time and since this is free to me (paying for shipping), I'm ready to take it as is. While I have wrenched on old air-cooled VW's (68 ghia, 67 bus), this will be my first diesel and first MB.

A couple of quick questions for those who drive their older cars in wintry climes (W126 or other):

Aside from a block heater and a "well-adjusted" engine, what should I do to avoid gelling of the diesel fuel in the winter (I live in Milwaukee where it got down to -10 for about two weeks last year)?

At what temperature point should I not drive the car to work (where it is parked in a semi-indoor garage) and let it sit for 8-10 hours during the day?

Powerservice Diesel kleen sells a anti-gel additive for diesel.

When you get the car make sure it has the updated vacuum pump.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

Thanks for the response. With the additive, at what temperature should I leave the car at home rather than let it sit in the cold all day?

Any other things I should look for when the car arrives? Apparently a #14 head is a bad thing?

Thanks,

Alex

soon to be owner of 87 300SDL

If you use the Power Service conditioner in the white bottles, you'll be OK at -10F. and the fuel won't gel. Check the container.........with increasing ratio, you might be good to lower than this value.

I've had the SD at 0F. last winter without issue.

The #14 head is not an issue unless the engine is overheated. You'll need to carefully check the belt and the tensioner to be sure they are in good shape..........or have a knowledgeable mechanic check it out. You have less than two minutes at highway speed to get the vehicle shut down before you do damage to the head........the principal reason that the heads crack........nobody notices the gauge until it's too late.

How would I know if I have the updated vacuum pump? What do I do if I don't have the updated vacuum pump? I thought I heard this was a recall that needed to be done, but I really cannot remember.

__________________
86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

This thread tells all!!!

How to replace a 603 vacuum pump.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

I live up in Shawano where it gets just as cold. Shouldn't the diesel your buying at the pump be "winterized". I've driven my Powerstroke for the past 4 years all winter without any gelling or starting problems, but this will be my first winter with the 240D. Perhaps running a 5w-40 oil would help with starting.

John

__________________
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

looking at an '87 300sdl.. and after searching the forums cannot find a clear answer..
the '86-'87 had the 3.0 or 3.4 603? the 3.4 was the precursor to the dreaded 3.5 and nearly as bad?

3.0

the 350SDL had the 3.5


the car "name" usually gives you a clue on the engine displace ment

example

240D =2.4 litre

300D/SD/SDL = 3.0 Liter ( SDL has the om603 6 cylinder where as the D/SD has the 5 cylinder om617)


never heard of a 3.4 liter 6 cylinder diesel..

right on don.. a reliable local indy had said the early 300sdl's had a bigger displacement 603 (3.4L)
which was problematic similar to the notorious 3.5L 603.. anyone else have any info about this?

Avoid this indy like the plague.........he's clueless.

outstanding.. thanks b.c.