I'm having trouble finding parts and info for this car... (1975 300D, 115 chassis, 117.983 motor, automatic). The glowplugs dont operate, at least the indicator doesnt come on , and it takes a good few seconds of cranking to get it to fire up. This glowplug system is different than my 82 240D. The parts suppliers I've been able to find arent listing anything besides glowplugs for this... Also, it smokes pretty bad on startup and until it warms up. (white smoke, no antifreeze smell, and no water mixed with oil when I look at dipstick).
It runs well, has a few vacuum lines broke, (shut-off switch doesnt work, tranny shifts late, and brakes are heavy).
I would like to find a Bentley Manual for this thing, or even a Haynes.

Ah, and there it was in the links at the bottom... thanks!

http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Mercedes_Benz_Repair_Manuals_1970_1979_s/2.htm

when the glows are not working the light blue smoke on start up is fuel.

Tom W

__________________
[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.

Is fuel shut-off on 115 300D vacuum operated?? Hell it oughta be cable driven coupled with the gorilla knob, itself a work of art. My suggestion is quit reading *about* the car and spend more time driving it.

If ye mothball the vehicle then you'll constantly suffer "revival" syndrome wakin up semi-seized injector pump and oil sump sludge, fouled pre-comb chambers too. Even worst treatin these old classics as 2,000 mile per year "sunday" cars is you end up with 1/8" carbon deposits on piston crowns and valves.

Why dont you sell the '82 240D and treat yer 115 as well maintained daily driver instead?

And Tom is right about blue smoke bein perfectly normal unburnt fuel at startup. Hell, nobody in their right mind attempts to diagnose diesel engine based on perfomance when stone cold. Gotta laugh at lunatics cryin about lousy dead stone-cold diesel engine performance. Yer 115 naturally takes 5 minutes just to get it started, character of the beast. Arguably modern pencil plugs are just designed for those in a hurry wantin their diesels to operate more like gasoline engines.

I believe one reason you may be having trouble finding parts is that the engine is numbered 617 and not 117.

__________________
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

Indeed, this car was mothballed, and not by me. The previous owner had been feeding it filtered WVO, mixed with diesel fuel, before letting it sit for 3 years, starting it once a year. I bought it cheap. The car is in good condition, no rust, no rips in the seats, etc. A new battery, and it fired up, without glowplugs, after about 5 seconds of cranking. (after sitting for a year). That, I will take as a good sign.
There is a leak at the IP, below where 2 of the metal fuel lines thread on. Not from the lines, but closer to the body of the pump. THAT is why I need some 'readin' material on this car. I dont know my way around Mercedes. The 240D I had was a $400 project car that I barely drove home, and I think I paid about $350 too much for it. THIS car is a classic, and will definitely be a daily driver, as soon as I can figure out what is what.
Yes, I believe the shut-off is vacuum controlled. There are some broken vacuum connectors, and I have no clue where to find replacement parts, or even replacement vacuum line.
A website, I believe ImportedCarParts, led me to beleive the engine was identified as 117.983. I will check the stamp on the car.
Having said all that, the car drives well, and gets up to 80 on the highway, no problem. It does shift late, but I'm guessing that repairing the broken vacuum connector will help with that.

Wow, could'a had a V-8!


Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

IIRC blue is oil not fuel.. fuel is grey or black