New guy, '86 300 SDL
 

Hello, I am new to Mercedes Benz. I typed 300sdl into the search and read just about every post in anticipation of getting my car today.

My friend wanted a 'diesel' engine to put into his 1950 Ford F2. He found this car with a bad transmission and figured it might be a good donor.

After fiddling around and doing some research, we discovered that it was probably just the kick down switch keeping it in first gear. Apparently it was, because the trans seems to work fine now after mashing the throttle several times (engine off).

So, I drove the car, and really liked it. I thought it would be a shame to part such a nice car just for the engine, and so I traded him an '89 F30 that I was just going to part out anyway.

I have allot of receipts of work being done and just some of them include;

6/10/7 Fuel hose return line, in-tank hose, filter, screen
3/27/7 11" fuel level sender, 3 pos switch VJD1
2/11/7 6 injectors (NA 36x) OE Reman 6 heat shields (601-017-00-60)
312324 Oil PSI tube on turbo
310598 Head replaced
305253 Fuel shut off servo, 'mono' valve, Fan Clutch
302344 A/C condenser R-134a changeover, switch, relay, Cruise Control Amp, align"major service"

291494 trans overhaul/update, drive line disc @ trans, vacuum valve on injection pump
3/19/3 alternator
274840 Vacuum pump
268947 radiator, oil level sending unit


Anyway, that is my story, and here are some pictures. Nothing exciting, probably just looks like another old SDL but here they are; http://picasaweb.google.com/deanstud/Merc#

Welcome to the forum!
 

You'll probably get the "bug" like the rest of us! Dang cars are addictive and they quickly become part of the family...my kids think I love the car more than them...I won't tell you what the truth is! :D

Stay tuned into the forum..almost anything you'll need to get things rolling is available here. I've brought my 300D back from a certain demise using the infop.

Ask lots of questions...we're all in this together!

Way to Go!!!
 

Thanks for saving yet another 300SDL and welcome to the forum. These 300SDLs are starting to become rare. The car looks like a beautiful one. What color is the interior? Is the exterior metallic silver?

Now, get the shop vacuum out and clean all those leaves out from under the hood --- take out the battery and battery tray and clean under there; both hood hinge "pocket" areas; and especially the area between the brake fluid reservoir and the fusepanel. You want to get EVERY leave or other old dried up piece of material out of those areas.

I noticed the aux. plug at the passenger side corner of the front bumper. Is this some type of block heater? If you have any questions about your car, just do a search and if you don't find the answer, post the question.

How does the air filter look? Primary fuel filter?

Well, if you've got a new vacuum pump, rebuilt head, rebuilt transmission and new injectors, you're doing pretty good. For such a large car, it'll also get quite respectable fuel mileage.

The engine is a OM603, which is also found in the W124 chassis (yours is W126). There is quite a bit of overlap, so, if you ever need more information, use that search function!

Sounds like you might have gotten a deal on a "bad transmission" :)

The color of the interior is filth, but seriously an ugly orangish brown. The exterior is a very light golden color. I added more pictures in a different light, and of things people asked about.

http://picasaweb.google.com/deanstud/Merc#


I assume the thing on the bumper is a block heater, it looks like a plug. The primary fuel filter looked used but not 'odd'. I pulled handfuls of pine cones and needles out of the cubbyhole spots, and there was allot of feathers under the master cylinder. The air filter!!! It says made in west Germany! I hope it is not THAT old!

The color of your interior is Palomino. In pic #15, that will probably clean off. In pic #22, your power steering fluid is quite low. You should go ahead and do a flush and replace the filter. Is it leaking anywhere?

The air filter might be that old.....My current 300SDL air filter was so old that I was able to shake grit out of it.

The paint looks quite decent on the car --- you have quite the keeper. I didn't see any cracks in the dash. Lots of us with old w126 would like to have a car with no cracks in the dash. It's a lot of hours to change out a dash --- I've done it.

Welcome to the club :D

We SDL owners need to stick together!

You have a really fine car.

Here are some suggestions...

1) Post here often. Ask questions, use the search function, and let us know how yo are doing.

2) Change all the fluids (Oil, coolant, power steering, transmission, rear end, and brake) The torque converter has a separate drain plug so you can really get rid of all the old trans fluid. I went with all Mobil 1 fluids except for the coolant which is Zerex G05 (use only G05 or MB coolant in the SDL)

3) Join the Mercedes Benz Club of America (MBCA.org) and go to your local chapter meetings. There you will find fellow MB nuts who will appreciate your S class and be able to give you more tips on how to get the most out of it.

4) Enjoy your new car!

I took that picture of the power steering to ask if it was low. It looks low to me but I don't see any markings and thought I would ask before over filling.

I also didn't know the PS had a filter, so I will add that to my parts list. On th efilter note, what is the brand you all use? I know to each his own, but there may be a 'guru recommendation' Hengst, Mann, Mahle, Bosch etc.. I plan to order the bundle from the site rather than deal with local 'experts' The website prices seem the same or better and I like to support the sites I goto.