Tragedy Strikes: Running witout oil in the 300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rashakor · #1 12-16-2008, 04:05 PM

I had that 300TD sitting in my garage for a year or so. I had never seen an engine starting so quickly (even in cold weather) and run so smoothly.

I was fixing myself up to go register it to the DMV, driving gently in a 35mph street when i suddenly the engine started screaming.
I came gently to a stop a few dozen yards later and the engine stalled...

Behind the car there was a 200 yard long trail of black oil. Upon inspection the oil cooler line was broken...

I towed the car home and replaced the oil line with one i had lying around (luckily it matched). Filled it with oil. And attempt to start. The car started, idled without a problem, but now oil pressure drops dramatically at idle and engine screams when revying it. It still drives but you can feel how weak the engine pulls.

is there even a hope...

rrgrassi · #2 12-16-2008, 04:12 PM

Sounds like rebuild time to me...I bet the main bearings, rod bearings, and rings are shot.

Shame that happened on the Euro...maybe you can find a good used engine from another TD.

Jimmy will be breathing down your neck now...

JimmyL · #3 12-16-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

Sounds like rebuild time to me...I bet the main bearings, rod bearings, and rings are shot.

Shame that happened on the Euro...maybe you can find a good used engine from another TD.

Jimmy will be breathing down your neck now...

For what????

I will keep my eyes peeled for a TD engine. I know Leathermang had one several years ago........
Man I hate to hear that Armando. Sadly, Ralph's diagnosis is going to be much more correct than not.

rrgrassi · #4 12-16-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

For what????

I will keep my eyes peeled for a TD engine. I know Leathermang had one several years ago........
Man I hate to hear that Armando. Sadly, Ralph's diagnosis is going to be much more correct than not.

For inadvertently killing a euro wagon...

Low pressure on the guage means bad oil pump, or bad bearings...unfortunately.

I hope Jimmy knows I'm rattling his cage..

If you cannot find a good TD engine, Have a machine shop go over the head on your ride, and swap the head from a known good sedan or coupe.

Rashakor · #5 12-16-2008, 05:14 PM

So is the problem on the head or in the block?

I do have a sedan turbo head in my garage. Getting a non-turbo block is a piece of cake (except for transportation). The hard part is getting a bloody NA head with the hydraulic rigging

.

Now, is the engine salvageable? in which case i may attempt the rebuild just for the learning exercise

.

vwnate1 · #6 12-16-2008, 05:18 PM

Drop the pan and bearing caps , see how bad the crankshaft journals are before giving up . occasionally the crank doesn't get ruined and you can slip in all new bearing shells .

It's a cinch the valves are all now tight too , adjust 'em and do a compression test .

I've saved a few but it's likely time to begin $aving for rebuilding or used engine to swap in .

I occasionally see TD engines in Pick-A-Parts ($250.00 fan to flywheel out the door) , my buddy is running one in his '84 sedan , he took it out of a rusted away midwestern TD so they're out there if you but look .

lutzTD · #7 12-16-2008, 05:20 PM

I think what was meant is rebuild your head and put it on a donor motor, since your engine has the hydraulic specific head, wasnt there a TD motor for cheap in the FS section?

Rashakor · #8 12-16-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Drop the pan and bearing caps , see how bad the crankshaft journals are before giving up . occasionally the crank doesn't get ruined and you can slip in all new bearing shells .

I occasionally see TD engines in Pick-A-Parts ($250.00 fan to flywheel out the door) , my buddy is running one in his '84 sedan , he took it out of a rusted away midwestern TD so they're out there if you but look .

Can you get there without removing the engine from the car? I dont belive so, but while i am asking might as well...
If not well... i guess i will have to invite Jim and Shell for a fun engine removal party.

On the TD engine... i have not seen one in 8 months (and it was a NA with a 4 speed; remember Jimmy?)

lutzTD · #9 12-16-2008, 05:26 PM

here it is, little far but maybe somebody up there is travelling to texas for xmas in a truck

Cheap low mileage 1985 300TD drivetrain in Milwaukee.

rrgrassi · #10 12-16-2008, 05:27 PM

It should be rebuildable as long as the cylinder sleeves did not get scored. The sleeves are the buggars here and have to be pressed in and out. The crankshaft will need to be inspected, as well as the piston rods. You should also have the oil pump checked.

You will need to have the cam bearings checked as well. You could have a good machine shop rebuild the head, while you learn on the block.

Oh, a N/A 300TD...oops my mistake. The TD head has the SLS hook up where the sedan will not. A N/A block from either a sedan or coupe will work. It's the SLS that dictates the head must be from a TD. You could swap in a turbo engine from a TD, but you will need the entire engine. It is best not to mix turbo and non turbo engine parts, unless they have the same part number and specs.

Whiskeydan · #11 12-16-2008, 05:54 PM

Note to self... check oil cooler lines.

rrgrassi · #12 12-16-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

Note to self... check oil cooler lines.

yes...

I always do whenever I have the hood open...too many horror stories on the forum...

I have also heard of hoses that let go, without warning, IE not weeping or leaking. It was interior fatigue that let go suddenly.

71inka02 · #13 12-16-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

Note to self... check oil cooler lines.

GREAT IDEA...

Note to self ---- check oil cooler lines!!

TylerH860 · #14 12-16-2008, 06:55 PM

One of these threads pops up every other month or so, and I just thank my lucky starts I noticed before it was too late.

daw_two · #15 12-16-2008, 08:18 PM

185K miles on the odometer of the 300TD in the boneyard.

Anyone want to guess what is still there?

Uploading pics........now; The donor is missing the rear hatch, rear bumper, 2nd row seat, fuel expansion tank, fuel sender, SLS valve, accumulators. I think someone else pulled the rear axle and maybe the shaft. OH...I got the SLS pump off of the head.

The radiator is toast as the oil cooler; if I recall correctly.

still loading....but all 46 pics can be found here:
http://s485.photobucket.com/albums/rr212/daw_two/82_300TD/

PM sent --- and Jimmy; it's not what you think.