1987 300SDL, no power, smoke from the engine. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alfa 75 · #1 11-01-2008, 03:14 PM

I'm looking at a 1987 300SDL for sale. It has 136k miles and this is the way the owner described it:

"I drove it up from Phoenix and little by little it started losing power. I parked it and haven't touched it since, I think the transmission is out"

I went up and looked at it, the transmission is fine. It's quite slow but not terribly slow, maybe on par with my old 1979 N/A 300D. However, when you press the accelerator, grayish smoke comes out from the right side of the engine. I can't tell exactly where from but I think it's turbo-related. Seeing as this isn't my car, I can't grab my tools from my trunk and start tearing into it. What are likely causes of this?

compress ignite · #2 11-01-2008, 06:24 PM

BUT,that's not the problem...only the way the smoke "Gets Out".

It could have something as simple as fuel filters(or Tank "Sock") blocked.

Or it could have Turbocharger Seals Bad.

or it could have major mechanical damage.(Overheat)

alfa 75 · #3 11-01-2008, 08:06 PM

It didn't overheat, according to the guy. Turbo seal was something that came to mind. I'm trying to draw a parallel between the sluggish performance and the smoke.

sixto · #4 11-01-2008, 08:09 PM

Smoke in the engine bay could be an exhaust leak or oil leak onto the manifold or turbo. Can you isolate the source of the smoke? Maybe wash the engine first.

Sixto
87 300D

Diesel_Canuck · #5 11-01-2008, 08:20 PM

A plugged trap oxidizer will produce the same symptoms. The exhaust back-pressure gets high enough to blow the exhaust past any of the several gaskets on the exhaust side of the engine. Don't ask me how I know.

I eventually replaced my trap oxidizer with a straight pipe off a different 603 engine (it might have been a 606).

alfa 75 · #6 11-01-2008, 08:25 PM

Keeping in mind I saw the car briefly, it smokes a lot when you give it gas (it was in neutral but I doubt that matters), not a whole lot at idle. The engine was cold.

Cr from Texas · #7 11-01-2008, 08:32 PM

Why haven't you already purchased this car?
If you can get it for what you'd pay for a parts car, how can you go wrong. If you fix it before purchase, the price will go up. If you fix it after purchase, it's all your gain - but minimal risk.

Is it located close to me?

alfa 75 · #8 11-01-2008, 08:38 PM

No, it's not close to you (guessing you're in Texas.) I haven't bought it because I need something to drive, not something to mess around with. Worst case scenario I can change the turbo but damned if I do any engine work to it, I already have enough cars to mess around with.

Parts car: I have a w123 so a w126 parts car with a different motor is useless, nor do I want to part it out.

Cr from Texas · #9 11-01-2008, 08:43 PM

OK, so make a firm offer and get a commitment at that price to close the sell pending you getting it running better. Do the simple things like filters and see what happens. Invest a little $ and time - may be worth it.