PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - The Defiant in Drydock

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The Defiant in Drydock

As the title says, the Defiant (1983 300D) is is drydock after an alarming oil cooler scare.

http://www.starshipfarragut.com/images/DryDock.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0283.jpg

The past few days I've been using the Defiant for my daily work errands and school. The Ol' junkyard dog performed admirably, though with nagging issues, until this afternoon. Every time I make a right turn with a moderate amount of G-force, I hear a metal on metal noise. The car has new motor mounts, and shocks, but still shakes slightly at idle. Today, I nearly drove past my destination, but braked hard and made a quick right into the parking lot. The Defiant didn't like it very much.:o

Yes, this is the third time I've coated a 300D's engine bay with oil... I seem to like rustproofing.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0375.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0374.jpg

As you can probably tell, the oil cooler lines are horribly redneck engineered, with 2 big kinks probably restricting flow a bit. The metal on metal noise in the right turn is a oil cooler line fitting getting pushed into the wheel well.:eek: What I can't figure out is where the car dumped the oil. It leaked out about a quart and a half executing that turn, and has not leaked since. I power washed the engine and cautiously drove another 20 miles, no oil loss.:confused: Thankfully, the oil remained on the dipstick at all times and the pressure never hiccuped. 2 weeks from now, I have an appointment with my indy to replace them. In the mean time, I hope to tackle some of the items on my lengthy list.

In no particular order...

Green=Competed

Oil Leaks: Known leaks with oil cap, oil filter housing, and oil cooler lines

Change Fuel Filters

Perform Valve adjustment (first time trying) (order hazet wrenches)

Install interior driver's door handle

Install new (used) interior

Flush Green Coolant

Flush other fluids, power steering, transmission, air filter, brakes.

Lubricate sunroof rails... (Sunroof very slow)

Install CD player:cool:

Detail, Detail, Detail

Take car to PDR man to pop out dents, install replacement impact strip on front bumper.

*edit*

Fix heater monovalve. (Goes cold above 40MPH)

Install AC compressor and Line that runs across the engine. Take to AC shop to test and charge.

Replace brake light bulb

Refit front bumper, rear side bumper moldings.

Fix broken rear door lock. (door would not open, pull tab disconnected)

Re-install washer reservoir and get functional.

Repair/Replace Left rear window switch

Refinish Bundts

Figure out what happened to the cruise control switch, replace.

There will be additions, I'm sure, but I'm happy to finally record some list to get started on. I'll post as I complete each task. Wish me luck.:o

Any ideas on how a car can explode a quart and half, then continue normally?

oil cooler or oil cooler line leak... I think you know how to handle that one eh

It looks like there's listerine in the coolant bottle! :)

Not sure where the oil went, my car has a rotella T crack habit so I have to add oil every now and then.

I'm dreading doing #3, I bought the wrenches but I don't want to screw anything up.

#12 I would like to do too.

For #17 install a new AC Delco R4 compressor (about $224 shipped, latest r4 compressor version, drier and TX valve, flush out lines well and add that missing one, etc etc. DIY cold r12 A/C is the crowning achievement of my MB ownership, feel free to ask about what you need to do while I still remember.

(Get your r12 license from ASE for $15, go buy 3 cans of Freon 12 on eBay while it's around $12/can in the winter! You even get an "ASE Cert. Tech card in the mail :P)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 2101621)

.....Every time I make a right turn with a moderate amount of G-force, I hear a metal on metal noise. ....
Any ideas on how a car can explode a quart and half, then continue normally?

Yeah, the cooler hose somehow gets pushed and is pried open at the fitting by making that right turn. Thus leaving a gap to spit out oil. Once the pushing pressure is relieved, the hose seals back up and you can't find it... I would guess.

Wouldn't that be "Space Dock"????

What is it with you and oil cooler lines!!?? :D
Good to hear you are going to tackle the valve adjustment. Just another step to take as you learn to do more and more things yourself.....[like buying a car with new oil cooler lines]

Well, yes, but the characters seemed to always use the term "drydock".

Let's see what the star trek encyclopedia says.

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Drydock

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Earth_Spacedock

hmm... Perhaps space dock is more appropriate. How do I edit a thread title?

I don't understand the oil cooler line either. Why don't people fix these correctly the first time, replace the motor mounts, and use proper lines/fittings.

Ol' Turbo's redneck rig was done by a tractor mechanic, and I think this one was done by a legitimate car mechanic. How can they sleep at night thinking kinked lines, improper routing/fittings, and ignore extremely failed motor mounts? How can an owner live with the constant shake at idle?

It looks like somebody had a hydraulic shop make those hoses, but they had them made too long hence the kinks.

I guess oil cooler lines are the first thing you should replace on your cars, how is the Excelsior's oil cooler lines (if it has any)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast (Post 2101669)

I guess oil cooler lines are the first thing you should replace on your cars, how is the Excelsior's oil cooler lines (if it has any)?

Not sure on that one, I'll have to look. Gassers don't tend to shake as much, and wear out motor mounts as fast. The SL is still on its original mounts, and running smooth. I gather from a Jimmy thread that one of the Excelsiors mounts crapped out the oil inside of it, but it still idles smoother than any car I've ever owned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 2101672)

I gather from a Jimmy thread that one of the Excelsiors mounts crapped out the oil in one of its mounts, but it still idles smoother than any car I've ever owned.

I replaced those this evening and am working up the post, but here is a teaser pic of the blown out mount:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...MBE300D100.jpg

Whoops, messed up that sentence you quoted...Its corrected now. That usually means I'm tired. These Tribble like creatures are getting me up earlier.

Jimmy - it looks like a cat puked on your engine mount :puke:

A lot of the gassers don't even have an oil cooler......the M103 doesn't.....thankfully! One less horrifying thing to worry about!

Those lines on the Defiant look scary, I'd put the right ones in ASAP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast (Post 2101707)

Jimmy - it looks like a cat puked on your engine mount :puke:

"Two girls, one mount"........:eek::eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD (Post 2101712)

It goes to the Indy two Mondays from now to do that, and only that. The rest I want to attempt to tackle myself.