Hi,

So as I mentioned in a previous post, I got an 87 300D on Friday and so far it has been a great 400 or so miles! There are a number of things that need some attention, although most are not anything vital. I just don't know where to start on some of them.

First off, I don't think the previous owner put more than 5000 miles on it per year for the past two years, and I have noticed that in the past two days that it has become a lot more powerful, especially around town. At WOT on the highway though, it is blowing some smoke...not a lot, but more than I think it should. This is all between 3500-4000 rpm. Since it runs well I think it might be starved for air? The last owner put this AirRaid cone filter on it, and I think it has less surface area than the oem filter (which is in the trunk)

The cruise basically doesnt work, and I would like it to since I spend a lot of time on the highway. The nob feels really loose, like it doesnt really click into any position..is this normal? If I hold it on accel it wil accelerate but once I let go it doesnt do anything. New switch perhaps? Or just a solder job?

There seems to be some oil leaking on the front of the engine, like it might be coming out of the valve cover gasket (is there one?) The hose that goes into the v. cover near the oil fill cap is also a bit oily. Any concern or just something normal?

ABS light is on. I read that this is the OVP, but where is that located and does it need to be replaced or dealt with in another manner?

Mileage doesnt seem to be too great, although the odo is broken and I havent filled up yet (I always travel the same route so I know how much fuel I should use if I were getting 30 or so). It still has the trap though and I'm going to change all the filters soon so hopefully this will make a big difference.

I think I can address the other issues myself, so I will just leave it at this for now

Thanks! Finding the right car was a lot easier with all your help!

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

I have the same problem with my cruise. Check your brake lights. Make sure your brake light switch is not to sensitive. There is a connector behind the instrument cluster that has connection issues also, I read that in a book. Those are the free fixes. I bought a used cruse amp, but I haven't put it in yet.

I just got an 87 also. About 2 months ago. Odometer doesn't work either. I also have to replace the rear carrier bushings. Otherwise I'm pleased with the car.

You still have the trap. Maybe you can get the replacement?

Yes, I am going to have it done next week, I think.

What kind of symptom do those bushings give? My rear driver side makes a squeaky / creaky sound on any bump, of any magnitude, and I don't think it is the shock.

Where are you from David? I had a professor named David Wilson...

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

Go to the rear bumper and push down and bounce the car. Squeaks terrible. Especially when going slow over some bumps. Doesn't squeak when it's wet on the road. I think the water gets in there and lubes the bushings. I have new shocks. So they aren't the problem.

Never was a teach. Lived in southeastern VA for 45yrs

I'll have to look into that, I have not driven it in any wet conditions yet. It's a little bit embarrassing though

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

So after 18 or so hours in the garage, I have noticed that I have a decent oil leak (maybe two silver dollar sized areas). The whole bottom of the oil pan is oily, and I am hoping very much that I don't need a new oil pan...but looking at pictures of the pan leads me to believe it could be something else, since there are 3 openings. Anyone else have oil leak issues?

I plan on cleaning it all off soon to see where it is actually coming out of

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

Check the front crank seal for an oil leak. With the engine running, crawl under the front, and have a look.
These engines are notorious for leaks, it's just a matter of finding them.

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83 SD

84 CD

It's not leaking, it's applying rust proofing compound!

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The family I got my W126 from said "If it ain't leakin, there must be something wrong with it."

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W210 1996 E300 - Daily
W126 1981 300SD - Nice weather
W111 1966 230S - Weddingmobile
AVPCAR 1999 Honda Si - Drag/Showcar
W111 1968 230S - Parts car

http://www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/Service/W124/Index/602_603index.html

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Some of the pages do not work..any idea why? Overall it is very resourceful but there are a couple things that I cannot access

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

The OVP is usually bad, it is the red-top relay behind the battery with the fuse on top, check the fuse first.

Sounds like your cruise-control stalk/switch is bad, I've had one of those limp ones and replaced it, pretty simple about two hours to R&R the steering wheel and lower dash for access.

I have spares of both here in Holland, MI, if you're ever up this way we can swap parts in to troubleshoot the problems.

To get over 30mpg in an '87 you need to have a lot of things right. Bad alignment, dragging brake, delivery-valve leak, ... things will quickly conspire against you to keep you in the upper 20s if it isn't in good repair. Besides that, they only get around 32-34 when driven gently on summer fuel.

I HIGHLY recommend running RedLine Diesel Fuel Catalyst in the fuel to keep the injection system happy, all of my diesels seem to run quieter and with less smoke after a steady diet of the stuff. I know many will cry "snake oil", but it's a detergent base not a solvent base, so there's no harm in long-term use and a $7 bottle treats 150gallons, ... don't knock it if you don't try it I say (Autozone carries it). Many here like running Diesel Purge directly in the fuel pump, a lot of extra work IMO and solvent-based cleaners like DP can be detrimental to the engine over time and most of them are recommended to be done before an oil change to remove the corrosive components from your crankcase before bearing damage.

Anyway, let me know if you're on the good side of Lake Michigan.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks a lot, Babymog.

If I ever plan on being in MI or have nothing to do one weekend, perhaps we can meet up.

I was actually going to do a diesel purge today, but it is too humid and I don't want to be out in the sun

I'll try the redline stuff!

On my last fillup, I got 29.8, and that was 75% highway..I think if my cruise worked it might be a little bit better, plus I need to fix the slight brake drag that I have. Overall, I am happy though!

Ha, "the good side of Lake Michigan"? You're probably right...the longer I am away from Chicagoland the less I want to go back

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

We have beaches and dunes, and killer sunsets.

Funny thing is I used to go to Chicago for the night-life almost every weekend.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

AWSROCK,

'Cannot tell you why some of the portions do not work...try asking Paul D.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128