tempting me to buy 84 300SD
 

I looked at an 84 300SD non turbo, yesterday, looks ok, starts and runs shifts into gears. Did Not test drive, guy says it will not shift into overdrive.

Any advise what I might be looking at to fix the no overdrive issue.

I've read a bit on the vacuum issues - could it be this or something mechanical???

Any input would be great.

non turbo in a 300SD? Hmmmm....sounds like an engine swap to me. I'm sure others will chime in and add to your thread.

Does not have overdrive. Was it a gas car?

It is a diesel
Seller used the term Overdrive.
How about won't shift into 4th or high gear.
He stated it will do about 45 and still get good fuel mileage. Above that mileage drops because it's not going into high gear.

I'm more interested in it being non-turbo than the transmission issue. Did you look for a turbocharger on the right side of the engine, hidden under the air cleaner? I'm thinking the seller you're talking to may just be extremely ignorant of what he has.

As for the transmission, it should be a four speed automatic with no overdrive. If you drive it, you should get three shifts as you accelerate. Check under hood, test drive, and report your findings to us.

Kickdown switch could be stuck down under the accelerator pedal. As mentioned above though, a non-turbo SD never existed from the factory, at least not in the states (don't know enough about euros). I would be running from this car...if he did a swap and then gets stumped and not willing to fix something.

What is the badging on the trunk lid? If it says "TURBODIESEL"...

Part of the problem could be my issue.

I had owned a 300D prior. Don't know much about the 300SD and turbo, it could be there and I just didn't know to look. Took his word on it.

The seller does not seem to know much about the vehicle. Unaware of vacuum locks, preheat the glow plugs, many other basics........ He bought it and drove it, he's a pickup truck kind of guy.

Car sems to be in reasonable shape a little surface rust, 2 rear windows don't work, a/c worked, blower had been replaced, front end had been rebuilt, my main concern is the no top gear. the rest can be addressed.

The price is very very reasonable well under $1000 which would allow for misc. repairs. He was asking $2,200 before the top gear issue.

He did state that the top gear just stopped working one day. It has not been driven since.

With the kick down being stuck, how does this effect the top gear? How do you fix it?

9 times out of 10 that minor surface rust turns into hidden rot. Inspect it without rosy glasses, lift up all the carpets, etc. etc. I would run far far away from your description, especially considering the guy you're buying it from doesn't really know how to take care of it. You can unplug the kickdown switch, located underneath the accelerator pedal. When you step on the pedal and floor it, it sends an electronic signal to the transmission to upshift. Check the fluid level also - incorrect levels can do some funky things.

I am totally new, and some may think I have no business posting, but here's what I think.


"Well under $1000" So like $300? In my short Merc experience I think it is a running driving cars so buy it, and if you can't figure out the trans and decide not to try anymore after awhile, sell parts.

I personally do not believe there are any cars in Michigan with surface rust, but then my Oregon climate may give me a different definition of surface.

if it has good seats, dash, a good running engine? Heck there is even another guy posting ads in mich. wanting SD parts car!

You could sell the engine alone to some jeep guys for "well under $1000"



So, you are not interested in parting out a car. I understand there are allot of troubles that come with that.


If the car is truly not rusted and it has all this front end work done, runs well etc etc maybe it is worth replacing the trans. I have read here that the reasons people throw these cars away is when it becomes too expensive to repair the suspension. Well if it really had allot of suspension work done, someone must have thought the rest of the car was worth the trouble.




One post says "gets good ,mileage under 45" another says "hasn't been driven since" (the trans problem) To that i say what gives? Driven or not driven?

-=DeanstuD=- Thats what I was thinking, If I can't fix the top gear I can find a used one and drop it in. Work on the rest of it over time and if it doesn't come together part it or sell it.

I'm just trying to figure out the 4th gear issue!

I have a 1993 chevy caprice wagon LT1 with no rust. I have a few dents from the deer that commited suicide 2 weeks ago, but no rust.

And yes they drove it a little after the trans issue but has been parked for a while.

The bad kick down issue can be checked by unplugging the switch on the floor behind the gas pedal, then take it for a drive. If it goes into 4th, then the switch is stuck or faulty...(just replace it)....if it still doesn't go to 4th, then it may have more serious issues.

Also, no such thing as a 300SD non-turbo, if the engine does indeed not have a turbo (should be obvious) then its a hack-swap with a much older non-turbo motor, and the car would be quite underpowered IMHO.....

Sounds like a potential run-away-from vehicle unless the body/interior/other mechanicals are excellent....and the price is looow. (under 1k, preferably well under)

First off welcome to the forum guys, should have said that earlier!

Here is my $0.02. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap benz. I drove my MB home thinking I got a bargain at less than $1000. A couple thousand dollars later, many hours, and lots of sweat, I'm buying a whole 'nother SD to swap my engine/trans into. My surface rust issue (or so I thought) developed quickly into frame rot. If I addressed all my issues, I'd run up another couple thousand bucks VERY easily. We rarely get a good ROI on these cars, even after sinking a lot of money in it, you'll rarely get it back if you try and sell it. I'm not trying to discourage you, just try and look at it more holistically. Decent diesel MBs pop up all the time, no harm in waiting for a great example to come around. Rust is the biggest issue anywhere up north, and these cars are GREAT at hiding it, mainly why I recommended running from it. Perhaps there are some members around your area in MI who could check it out too and let you know what they think and you could weigh that in. That is my somewhat harsh but sincere advice. We'll be happy to answer any more questions you've got.

Well in that case you GOTTA get a SD without a turbo!

B bodies didn't get the LT1 until '94...

As mentioned, ALL SD's were turbo charged. The transmission may be starting in second gear making you believe it has "lost" fourth.