I have been on the hunt for one of these for quite a while for daily diver/commuter duty.

I have come across an 81 that the guy claims had an oil leak that he didnt know about and the motor seized up on the interstate. I find it hard to believe that any human would miss a leak of that size but stranger things have happened. Maybe it blew an oil cooler line, who knows.

Moral of the story is I am going to check out the car, other than the claimed engine problems they car is cherry. Perfect pain and interior, AC that works, heat that will melt your face off, solid working automatic transmission. With all that being said, I got my 27mm deep socket in my hand and i'm hoping this guy is just a moron and I can turn it by hand.

I grew up in the back of one of these cars, my dad daily drove one for 22 years. I am somewhat familiar with the car, but it's been a while. I worked on a farm and know my way around a diesel. I don't know if any of my ag tricks are going to work on a German automotive engine. I obviously cant go pulling valve covers and poking around. Other than trying to turn the crank by hand, what other obvious things should I be looking for?


Price of the car, $300. Its been on line for sale for quite a while so I have good feeling he will take less just to get it out of the way.

if the car is as good as you describe it, 300 is a good deal. Swap in a used engine.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If he ran the engine with no oil it is almost certain it is gone. Three hundred is probably about the price he would realise from scrap so do not expect it much cheaper. Actually the price is not bad and there are engines around.

It actually is quite easy to miss that the oil pressure gauge has sagged on these cars until it is too late. They have no low oil pressure audiable warning or flashing lights. Happens quite frequently and is mentioned on this site. Almost always costs the engine.

You may be the one in a hundred that has the engine survive. Personally I do not like those kinds of odds. Keep the ideal in mind there will be an engine in your future far more likely than not. Even if the crank turns.

I dont mind doing a swap. From the research I've done on here it seems pretty straight forward. I'm in south Louisiana and this is not a real common car so finding a good running motor will be difficult.

I very much have my doubts that the guy selling the car has te diagnosis correct. We will find out soon!