This weekend, I bought a '93 300d w/320K miles. The car looks good, interior is good, and seems to run good. It was a 1 owner with all service records since new. This car is about the most solid car I've ever driven- not a rattle in it, and it handles fantastic. I got it for just over $2000 and think (hope) it was a good buy.

I've owned several 70s-80s MB diesels, and even an '84 190d, but I'm not real familiar with this engine (602). It runs good, but seems a little underpowered. Of course the first thing I did was change fuel filters (as well as underhood fluids), and removed/plugged the EGR hose. I also cleaned the gunk out of the intake fitting that goes to the alda hose. That helped performance a noticable amount. With my older 300d's I would typically back out the adjustment screw on the alda. With this '93, it's hidden under the intake manifold, and would be a bugger to get at.

What do you folks recommend to help with the power of this car? Also, are there any "out of the ordinary" items I should be looking at or taking care of as "known problems" with this model?

I sure appreciate the information I've gleaned from this group! Thanks!

If you can go 0 to 60 in around 12.5 to 13 seconds then it is running like it should.

Check this out.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

At 300K + miles even running at 14 seconds 0-60 is good.

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1993 Mercedes 300D 2.5

1987 Mercedes 300D 3.0

2000 Volkswagen JETTA TDI diesel 5 speed

2002 Lexus ES300

2006 Lexus GS430

You probably have a vacuum leak or a component failure in the "rat's nest" near the airbox that controls all the emission controls.

If you are getting a power surge around 1800-2000 rpms then your turbo is working.

If not, I suggest you do the pressure actuated wastegate mod.

You will have to buy the actuator and drill a hole somewhere in your intake but it's worth it and it eliminates multiple sources for vacuum leaks. It also eliminates the need for the EGR.

Here's the thread.

Wastegate actuator swap for OM602.962?

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1993 W124 300D
-297K on the clock as I type this.

True dat.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

Thanks for the link to the article about the wastegate. I read it and will be doing this modification soon.

The car has been serviced every 4-5,000 miles w/ MB filters and Castrol oil. Any idea how long the engine will last w/o overhaul? There hasn't been anything internal done so far, oil pressure is OK (at least by the dash guesser), it starts instantly with hardly any cranking.

I would be more worried about transmission because these engines usually outlast two auto trannies.

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1993 Mercedes 300D 2.5

1987 Mercedes 300D 3.0

2000 Volkswagen JETTA TDI diesel 5 speed

2002 Lexus ES300

2006 Lexus GS430

Yep, it's had a new transmission! It was replaced in 2006, seems real good now, fluid is bright, shifts good, pulls good.
Thanks!