i just bought a 1979 240 D for my daughter. an mb dealer told me they only came with 4 cylinder engines. mine has a 5 cyl. how do i identify it so i can get the right parts and work on it, i.e., adjust the valves, etc...?

the car has 275k on the odometer, but second set of numbers from the right stopped working. the trip od works but not the main one. i found a link for that repair and will get to that later.

once i find out what engine is in it, what are standard repairs or preventative maint. that i should be looking at? i found a thread regarding the vacuum pump blowing itself up and putting lots of little parts into the engine. is that a common problem.

i am a pretty good wrench and have a diesel pickup i do most of the work on, just new to MB's.

thanks in advance.

Someone may have transplanted a 3.0 liter, 5-cylinder engine into your car--the chassis is the same, I'm told it's a fairly easy procedure. You probably have an OM617 engine. If you can post a picture, it will help us with the ID. Does it have a turbocharger? The best way to learn from this forum is to click on the "Resources" link (top of page) and read the appropriate articles. Then learn to use the search function to answer specific questions. Just about everything you want to know has already been written here. And don't worry about the vacuum pump until you have figured out some more about your car. We'll help you.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

All W123 240D's had 4 cylinder engines(OM 616).

Looks like someone has swapped the engine.

.10mm intake and .30mm exhaust valve

The vacuum pump self distructing isn't a very common problem.

Im sure you know, but be sure to always use diesel rated oil, such as Rottella T 15W-40.

www.dieselgiant.com shows how to fix the odo.

Where are you located?

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

The engine number is stamped into engine block at driver's side just below the head.

Could look like this = 617912-12XXXXXX

thanks for the help. shawn, i found the id number: 617912-12067448. are there variations of the 617 or specific years that pertain to that model when getting parts or spec's? the guy i bought if from put red line synthetic in it (for diesels) and it leaks like a sieve. when it is time to change will go back to petro based like delo or rotella. for 79 mercy, i am in the foothills of northern california. for jeremy, i see you run bio. i blend for my pick up without any mods to the truck, can i use it in the benz without mods?
thanks you guys for helping the new guy. my daughter ( 16, first car) loves the car, i like driving it and would like to keep it nice as well as doing preventative maint. to keep it on the road. take care

Is it a Four speed or automatic?

4 on the floor

The 79 300D has a 617.912 so just use this when shopping for engine parts

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1979 300D.