Right, it would be silly now - I have no plans to re-ring the engine any time soon (if ever). It started leaking some oil recently from under the valve cover and in other places, so I thought I would do this check to see where we are...

Did valve adjustment about last April - I may do another one this summer just for grins to check things out again... but overall the car runs pretty well - especially on the highway.

Looking to start making bio-diesel so this is just another step in checking the engine and working my way through the vehicle and frankly learning about its strengths (and weaknesses). Thanks all for your insights.

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Nice...its great to have a baseline so if problems do come up you have some data to fall back on.

You may consider doing an oil analysis from Blackstone if you are really keen on having a pre-bio history (I didnt do this).

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

220 is minimum cold, all readings should also be within 15% of each other. I will post mine from a worn out 1985 300d with 460K miles tomorrow for reference/perspective. It does NOT start easily.

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1984 300d turbo with 200k miles
on used filtered ATF

Here's what I found last fall, starts great.


" #1
09-11-2008, 03:34 PM

mobetta
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: minnesota,hey.
Posts: 1,690
compression test results
I finally got around to changing out the glowplugs in the wagon. I've been rolling w/ 4 plugs for a couple weeks. I also reamed out the holes, using a tool made by a fellow forum member.(Thanks for the expedited service, Diesel911)

I reamed and check compression numbers, put in 5 new duraterm's from NAPA. I hope the w/ clean holes they will last longer than the last set I put in(4/5 did not last a year)

anyhow- heres the numbers
312,xxx miles

1-420 psi
2-425 psi
3-405 psi
4-420 psi
5-395 psi "

my brand new chinese P.O.S. gauge must be wrong and I will borrow another to crosscheck.
My 460,000 mile 300d had these readings taken after removing all the injectors and car was completely cold:

1) 125psi
2) 200psi
3) 190psi
4) 150psi
5) 180psi

I've been on filtered ATF for the last 20K. The injector spray pattern is fine and I just adjusted the valves with no improvement in compression OR ease of starting. It is sometimes VERY hard to start even when warm but with those numbers I'm surprised it starts at ALL!!! It does run and idle well after starting!

john

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1984 300d turbo with 200k miles
on used filtered ATF

I wouldn't doubt those numbers with that kind of abuse.

why do you say that? Do you think the ATF has coked the rings since its been on ATF?

It's possible..... though it hasn't hurt the injectors any judging by the nice conical spray patterns.

john

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1984 300d turbo with 200k miles
on used filtered ATF