just when I was ready to get the car back on the road, BAM along comes
another gotchya. this is on the 1984 300DT. antifreeze hadn't been changed in five years (I know not good). drained the coolant, installed a 50/50 mix of white vinegar/distilled water with the intent of running the car for a few days to flush the cooling system.

then BAM out of nowhere, a leak that appears to be water and red fluid coming from the transmission area. I quickly check the dip stick and YIKES, we are two quarts over capacity. plus the transmission fluid now
has a clear slightly brown tinge to it. pulled the dip stick on the other car (560SEL) to compare the color. took both transmissions dip sticks and placed them on a paper towel. the 560's was still red, while the 300D's was a very light rust color (probably from scale and rust the white vinegar/distilled water mixture was flushing out).

fast forward, drained all of the distilled water/white vinegar from the cooling system, I'm going to drain the transmission fluid next (along with the torque converter) and remove the filter.

question: it may be a few days until I get the car to the transmission shop for a complete flush. should I fill the transmission with transmission fluid to keep the seals moist, etc or is it safe to wait until the car gets into a shop? don't want the seals to dry out, plus with the mixture of white vinegar/distilled water that appears to be in there, I don't want to risk any damage if possible.....

I don't know about your seal question, but it sounds like your radiator had an aneurysm?!! Yikes! Hopefully you're not going to even drive it to the shop...

__________________

1972 W115 220D/8 SLS, Coffman Starter "Ümläüt"

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

no, it will get a ride on a flat bed tow truck. yikes is right, right after
all this engine work and now this. the lesson here appears to be that
if your radiator is even slightly suspect, install a new one. otherwise,
the car could end up like this.

I love my manual trans even MORE now

__________________

1972 W115 220D/8 SLS, Coffman Starter "Ümläüt"

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

Seems to me that the lesson should have something to do with not using home-brew radiatior flushes.

X2 tango.
Never use an uninhibited acid as a cleaner. Vinegar is acetic acid and will remove metal.
The workshop manual for the trans suggests that coolant /water in the trans can ruin LB3 friction disk & B2 band and recommends their replacement following this sort of thing if engagement in D or R becomes harsh (page 113 of ATSG manual). The trans fluid coil in the radiator has failed, you have probably damaged the radiator core as well.
The use of these old fashion cleaners may have worked with the old heavy copper radiators, Benz's have alloy cores and your model may have a aluminum trans cooling coil in the bottom tank.
Good luck with your visit to the repair shop.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

The trans coil in the bottom tank on my 84 300sd is alluminum. I would install new radiator trailer car to a shop that can do a 17-18 quart fluid exchange while the car is running. I would use Justice Brothers TS/500 transmission service kit. I know this works good on mud race trucks that have gotten the trans full of water.

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His 2000 TDI Jetta 5 speed
Hers 2002 TDI auto Beetle
Toy Mercedes diesel powered 1995 Jeep.
Work 2003 Cummins quad cab 1 ton

Nah, the "REAL" lesson should be to stand behind that car and see if there is another letter after "300D"........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Jimmy,
I just received my 250,000 km award from MB. The certificate lists the model as 300D-T. Unbelievable.

Yah, Jimmy you may be fighting a losing battle. Just yesterday I called up my favorite local imports parts place and asked for a brake cable for an 84 300D after a very long pause on the other end the gal. (not a regular behind the counter) says "uh, there is no 300D." I reply, "How about 300DT?", Her; "Oh yeah, here it is."
I had to chuckle to myself.

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1982 240D auto
1978 300CD auto
1985 300D auto
1983 300TD auto
1984 Porsche 944 5 speed
1973 Opel GT 1900 4 speed
1967 Chevy C30 350 Sm420
1973 Mustang Grande Convertible 302 C4
1981 VW Pickup 1.6D Turbo 5 speed
1983 Rabbit 1.6D Factory Turbo 5 speed
Plus parts vehicles...

There are 300D's I have an 84. Just not in the USA. All 300D's from that era down here are NA. They didnt make RHD turbos.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Replace the radiator and have it towed to a shop to flush the transmission.

Right now you have about a 50/50 chance of not needing to rebuild the transmission, drive it and that will change...

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

To save money.First drain pan and T.C. disconnect radiator lines and plug them.Adapt trans line to a after market cooler.Disconnect one line from cooler as you pour in new ATF.When color is no longer milky(pink).reconnect lines,and fill transmission.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

OK, just spoke with a transmission shop. he said DO NOT START THE CAR FOR ANY REASON. I plan to heed that advice. he said to drain the transmission and the torque converter and then have the car towed to the dealership for a complete fluid exchange and refill.

I'm thinking of changing the transmission filter and adding standard ATF since the dealership will most likely refill with mercedes brand ATF.

Having a dealership or transmission shop do the flush is a waste of money. The damage is done, maybe, already. Drain the transmission and the converter. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the radiator and connect them together with a short section of oil-grade hose and some clamps. Pour in fresh fluid, start engine, cycle the shifter through the gears. Run for a few minutes like this. Dump the fluid from the trans and the converter. Pour in fresh fluid again and go for a spin around the block. If all seems well then you likely escaped an expensive mistake. Replace the radiator, hook up the transmission cooler lines correctly, drive for a day and then change the fluid, filter, etc. one more time.

Why pay to take an old car to the dealership or trans shop where, if the car is in need of repair, they now have it hostage? A simple fluid change and rerouting the cooling lines out of the damaged radiator will allow easy diagnosis. Whats it going to cost? A five gallon pail of ATF, some oil hose and an afternoon? Its the same thing the shop is going to do.

RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K