My father just gave it to me. It's only got 110k on the clock. A white one. Moby. He's got a few of them. None running but this one is and won't stop even when you turn the key off.. Don't know what that is. He's great at keeping things running but it's a bit of trial and error. I don't want to make any mistakes with this gem. I want to keep it running for a long time.

I've always been the type of person that buys gas cars that have 40k+ on them and need the usual brakes, tires etc... This one will need the same.

The diesel world is all new to me. I have a best friend who makes bio so I could use some pointers there. New fuel lines needed?

Also, this thing has been sitting for a couple years. What is the list of fluids I should change in order of priority? Filters etc?? General specs and sources would be great. I live in Massachusetts.

Thanks!

Welcome to the site.
Welcome to the world of white '85 wagons.
Welcome to the search function. You should spend your first week there. Lots of info.
Your lack of turning off is a vacuum leak. Probably the most common malady of these old cars.
So, search, search, search......

Oh, and btw, if your 300TD isn't a wagon, I'll be back........

__________________
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

It's a whale of a wagon

When we actually meet ... my arch anti T nemesis... we will battle.


WITH KATANAS!

Oh and sell the car. You'll get too engrossed and obsessed with it that you'll find yourself dumping inordinate amounts of money trying to get it back to it's OE state. I call it chasing the smoking star. Except you'll never actually catch the star.

If you try and ignore the star then it will come and get!

Post some pictures! Your shutoff problem is vacum related. Buy a mityvac and search for the w123 interlock vacuum diagram. Print it out and tape it above your bed for good luck.

__________________
-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Of all my misguided Rogue T villians, I would probably enjoy meeting you the most. Of course, you would lose!!

__________________
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

time is money. your time is money. many of today's businesses contract out services they need to other companies. same for keeping up an older mercedes. there are a few items that at least for me, I contract out to
others. one of those is the vacuum system on a merc diesel. unless you
have a lot of time and patience, a vacuum leak can test anyone's patience.

when a leak materializes (and they always DO), I take it to a trusted indy
and let them track it down. my time is worth more doing other things.
ditto for transmission repairs, motor mounts and air conditioning service. other than that, you can learn to do most of it yourself and save
yourself a boat load of money. I concur on the bio decision. stick with
#2 diesel until you really understand the car.

TWO IMPORTANT ITEMS: in cold weather be sure and add a diesel
anti-gel additive to the fuel tank, otherwise you will regret it. if the car
doesn't have a block heater, install one. you'll need to plug it in in
cold weather conditions, otherwise the car may not start. ALSO,
never use WD40 in the air intake unless you want to snap a timing chain (can you say expensive?). best to keep a full tank of fuel in cold
weather conditions. ask me how I know about this one. diesels
run hot and they don't like cold weather starts. if you have a heated
garage, all the better. at a bare minimum plug in the block heater
and keep that baby warm. carry a 100 foot extension cord for situations
where the car might sit out in ice cold weather conditions.

You will soon learn to ignore this poster. Welcome to the forum.

He may be on to something here. I often ignore myself and seldom feel like I'm missing anything.
But utilize a "T" with careless rogue-ness at your own risk......

__________________
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

Learn the car before dealing with bio.

At the age of the car, likely rubber parts need to start to be dealt with in the suspension and other places.

Change all fluids as a good start. Including brake fluid and coolant.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

Welcome aboard!

The best way to search that I've found is to go to google and goto advanced search. Type in www.peachparts.com in the box to search within a site or domain. Then type in your keyword search into the main search box. I.E. won't shut off. OR... vacuum troubleshooting. You can use the search on the site as well, but I've found this method works a little better.

__________________
RT


1984 300D---Sold
1995 E420 - 106K - Brilliant Silver Metallic/Orion Gray --- Sold
1984 300SD - 151K Manganese Brown Metallic/Mostly Black --- Sold
1982 240D - 79K - Manila Beige/Palomino---Sold

That's a cool searching trick. I like the craigslist google search box too. Thanks.

you came to the right site, welcome.

check your window seals for leaks. Push against the windshield from the inside at the corners and look at the seal. if it gives, you might have a bad seal, which means leaks. Check carpets after a good rain.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

Funny you should say that. It has a cracked windshield that needs replacin. Can I trust the local window guy to put in the seal correctly?

I had no problem w/my local shop replacing the windshield...I used a shop that specializes in only auto glass. Most shops will use a serious amount of sealant unless you happen to give them a new seal to work with. (That's what I did) You may want to order a new gasket and then take the car in...if they don't use it you can return it but I suspect they will.

Good luck and welcom to Dieseldom! You'll probably get addicted like the rest of us!

Safelite auto, $175.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42