86 sdl sitting for years... good deal? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kamaainakev · #1 02-07-2008, 03:21 PM

I have come across an 86 sdl turbo diesel that a 90 year old man is selling. It has 66,000 original miles, and it has been sitting for the past 4 years. The interior is almost perfect, the paint has one section that is faded. He wants $3k. Is it a steal?

I am unfamilair with this engine, I have searched to no avail, is this engine better than the one in my 81 300sd turbo? How do these engines take to veggie oil? Should I do something special to start the engine for the first time in four years or just crank away?
I probably can't do anything too major since I have not purchased it (yet). Anything in particular that I should specifically look for besides the obvious stuff. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

imagesinthewind · #2 02-07-2008, 03:27 PM

If it's been sitting for 4 years there is bound to be nasty stuff in the fuel tank; water, fungus. Maybe take 5 gallons of diesel, some diesel dry and some diesel kleen. A fuel filter?
Others will have a long list. ..

Hatterasguy · #3 02-07-2008, 03:30 PM

Without more information it is impossible to know what shape its in. Sitting where in a garage? Under a tree? In a muddy field? It could be a very good car, and if its in 66k mile shape thats about 1/2-1/3 of its market value.

You need to do a little research here so you know what your looking at, or have someone who does look it over.

RUN-EM · #4 02-07-2008, 04:06 PM

The plates on the sides of the diesel injection pump have developed leaks. You might want to keep an eye on the pump. When warmer weather arrives, I shall investigate re-sealing the pump. Other than that, I'm satisfied with my deal.

Regards

Run-Em

latitude500 · #5 02-07-2008, 06:11 PM

After setting for 4 years your going to have some problems with the car. Go over it and find out what needs to be changed.

Rubber belts
Shafts
fuel lines
What leaks?

I would at least change the oil and oil filter, remove the fuel lines going into and out of the IP and get a plastic bottle and fill it up with some diesel. Make sure you put a filter in between the IP and bottle. And change the larger fuel filter. Your going to need a fresh battery and get ready to jump it. Then cycle the glow plugs, and fire her on.

Let her idle for sometime and see if everything works inside and out. Windows, radio, shifts in and out of gear.

As long as your understanding that every liquid in that car is trash, your going to need to replace all the rubber hoses, and belts and do the normal work on a MB. Then you got yourself a nice ride.

Good Luck

daw_two · #6 02-07-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamaainakev

I have come across an 86 sdl turbo diesel that a 90 year old man is selling. It has 66,000 original miles, and it has been sitting for the past 4 years. The interior is almost perfect, the paint has one section that is faded. He wants $3k. Is it a steal?

I am unfamilair with this engine, I have searched to no avail, is this engine better than the one in my 81 300sd turbo? How do these engines take to veggie oil? Should I do something special to start the engine for the first time in four years or just crank away?
I probably can't do anything too major since I have not purchased it (yet). Anything in particular that I should specifically look for besides the obvious stuff. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

A car that has set for 4 years....you are going to have some problems with it. You should just tell us where the car is so one of us can look at it for you.

t walgamuth · #7 02-07-2008, 07:15 PM

If there is no water in the diesel it should be fine. If there is bacteria in it a good dose of biocide should do the trick. I would just put jumpers on and give her a spin. diesels suffer from sitting a lot less than gassers, in my experience.

Brakes might be stuck but also might very well not be. I would purge the brake fluid right away, and change oil and air filters and fuel filters after it runs for a while.

Tires should be changed probably too unless they happened to be new when it was parked. Everything else I would wait and see.

Good luck.

It could be a jewel.....good possibility.

Tom W

JackG · #8 02-07-2008, 07:34 PM

If it is rust free, Go for it.
yes, you will need to go over everything, but 66k WOW

Hit Man X · #9 02-07-2008, 07:43 PM

I'd probably do it

gatorblue92 · #10 02-07-2008, 08:06 PM

i would buy it

kamaainakev · #11 02-07-2008, 08:17 PM

What about the durability of the 603 engine? Is it comparable to the 617? Do they take to veggie well? The car didn't seem to have any leaks anywhere at least with a visual inspection. The gas cap went whoosh when I took it off, so the chance of water being in the fuel is probably low. So do you all think I should be ok if I bring a fresh battery and 5 gallons of diesel? I don't really want to change the oil where the car is at. If I add some fresh diesel to dillute any potential bad fuel, and put in a fresh battery in am I safe to fire it up? I know with gassers it is a good idea to crank over the engine manually with the plugs out but I imagine that would be very difficult on a diesel.
Basically will I do any damage just firing it up after it has been sitting so long? I haven't yet talked to the actual owner I have been dealing with the manager of the condo the guy lives at, so he knows very little about the car, he said he hasn't seen the guy use it in the last four years but you never know, so there is a chance it might have been at lease moved around. thanks much for the help

unkl300d · #12 02-07-2008, 08:20 PM

The price is not a big gamble if it test rides well. check the dip sticks and do the basics.
66K is low.

daw_two · #13 02-07-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamaainakev

What about the durability of the 603 engine? Is it comparable to the 617? Do they take to veggie well?

Well.....IMHO, you have to heat vegetable oil to about 250 degrees F before it gets to the point where you can burn it SEMI safe in our cars. If you want to do an alternative fuel approach, turn your WVO into biodiesel, wash ALL the soap out of it, and pay your road taxes.

barry123400 · #14 02-07-2008, 09:52 PM

Car is possibly too good to take a chance on burning vegatable oil. Get a junker for that. That said I would tend to jump on the car if generally it looks good. You will not find another in my opinion.
Diesels do not seize up sitting as easily as gas cars because of the tighter fits. Low milage is a tremendous bonus as well. Car is worth the asking price in average condition with somewhere around 300-400 K. Forget what the odometers indicate on most examples. To say most are not accurate is a vast understatement.

werminghausen · #15 02-07-2008, 10:27 PM

[QUOTE=kamaainakev;1756441]What about the durability of the 603 engine?

I bought my SDL in 2004 with 295 K miles and it was sitting for 5 years.
It had no rust, West Coast, and I was lucky.
I put a lot of time in the car basically exchanges all rubber, vacuum and fuel lines, exchanged step by step all fluids and injectors, took out the cat and worked my way through turbo and compression testing. The engien has still close to spec compression. You can check the head#. I think #14 might be original anything bejodn 17 might be fine. Mine has a #22 head meaning it was exchanged at some point in life
The only problem I hardy get rid of is the fungus stuff. There are still some black particles in the prefilter. exchange the fuel filters and put buy the stuff from
the German company who sells the Diesel purge stuff.
I tool out the Alda, new timing chain and check injection timing.
The car runs like a champ today.
I also did a lot work on the steering and suspension, engine mounts.
This year I will change the dash (mine has cracks-ugly) and redo all vacuum pods, heating, blower fan and AC- going back to R12.

Your car seems to be much easier, few miles.
i wanted to tell you: if you fall in love with the car it can take you far.