Dec 10 2007: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dmorrison · #1 12-11-2007, 01:17 AM

Well the day has not been good.

Figured we would use the friends lift to repair tranny modulator bolt that I broke off and then get my sons new 85 300D on the road. I was going to test drive it for a week or so before handing it over to my son. Just so I would know that everything was in good shape. So this was going to be a good move.

At 630PM my son called and said my car , the 82 300TD, which he had been driving, had no power. He pulled off the side of the road, engine was smoking a little. Said the temp was OK but the oil pressure was low, not zero but low. He checked the oil dipstick and it showed none on the dipstick. Thats when he called. I grabbed a few tools and some oil, I know the car has some blowby and a few leaks but not severe. It had quite a lot of oil under the car. I put in 4 quarts. Had to jump it to get it running. And it did not want to run. Got the car into a safer locaton a mile down the road and filled the oil to the upper mark. It took 5.5 quarts. So the engine had 2.5 quarts in it. One in the oil filter and 1.5 in the sump. Not enough to lubricate the engine properly. So the engine is now toast.

I did not figure the oil consumption was that bad, but I guess it was.

Very upsetting. I have owned the car since 1990, 17 years and its in very good shape.

I can, and cannot blame my son. He should have checked the oil at every fueling, but hell even I don't do that. He's a really great kid ( actually 24 ) undergraduate degree in 3 years, Summa Cum Laude, honors MBA program in 16 months, an A average, and a MS in Finance. All this in 5 1/2 years (Definitely can't be my kid). Also a Certified Flight Instructor- Insturment. So he knows about preflights. He has been very busy with work and trying to start a new business with my daughter. So his mind has been elsewhere.

SOOOOO now I decide whether to get a long block, short block, used engine or rebuilding this one. I have considered getting rid of the wagon and getting some thing new in a pickup truck. I've also considered just driving the Honda and the 560SL. And if I need anything big at Lowe's I'll have them deliver it, or rent the truck. The wagon has a trailer hitch and I have a 4' X 8' folding trailer to carry large items (think 4X8 plywood ).
I think I'll give it some time and look into my options.

Really pisses me off. I guess the engine was showing an increased blowby. So I guess engine problems were coming, in the back of my mind I sort of new this.

Dave

PS I know, I get the 300D engine for the 300TD and all is well. He even said this, but then he does not have a car.