What to do with SICK 98 E300D Turbo Diesel ??
 

Hey folks,

** Like an Aging Supermodel .. my baby needs some work!!

I know its one of the most sought after and stylish diesels that Benz ever made which is why I bought it!!

About 6 months ago my water pump broke on a long trip... didnt notice the gauge until it was ALMOST too late after running in the RED for a good bit.. I got it back to the house put in a new water pump and all seemed to be OK... Well a few months later it has slowly been losing power and then DIED on the way to work.

I got it running again but has low compression around 225-260 PSI in different cyl. The previous owner and I have run bio/veg/and diesel in it which Im sure didnt help...

I thought I would attempt pulling the head check out the gasket and go from there.

Well I finally decided that it is over my head (no pun intended) and Im looking to sell it as is..

The question is what should I expect to get for it? Assuming worse case needs rings, valve job etc.???

Its been sitting for a while but still turns over and stays running but Im too much a WUSS to take it out.. if I havent killed the battery yet.

Basics: 285K miles, Great body, glass, leather all around in GREAT shape.
Here are some pics.

Just needs engine work or a transplant engine I would think?


Where would be the best place to put it up?? EBAY? that "bring a trailer site"...

Open to ideas on what a realistic price would be..I want to give someone that wants to get dirty a fair shake but not give it away either. I just know Im not going to do it...HAHA

thanks

What part of Fla are you located?

St Augustine

Any response on craigslist?

You might consider putting it in the for sale section here to "keep it in the forum family." I'm sure there are forum members looking for a project like that. I would be, but the wife would... well, you know...

If it was mine, I would try to nurse it back to life. I have one of these myself (well sort of). You may want to try a water injection system and the old MMO soak. You would be amazed at what the combination of those two things will do to bring the compression back to acceptable numbers. You should expect to pay about $300 for a good WI kit that will work with a turbo (Snow & Coolingmist are the best). I got a used kit for $120.00 that will work great on my 300CD. To do an MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) soak, you will need to remove the injectors (glow plugs are the other access point, but harder to get to). It takes a couple days or more to do the job, but the results are worth the effort. Another problem is the EGR. Being computer controlled, there is no good way that I know of to defeat the EGR without throwing codes. The WI system will clean up all the carbon in the combustion chambers, and reverse the effects of coking caused by the EGR and the fuel (WVO).

Engine Cleaners

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2562486&Searchpage=1&Main=134990&Words=kreen&Search=true#Post2562 486

I wouldn't assume the lower compression is the main issue because low compression will not make an engine die that is running. It will make it difficult to start.
Using vegetable fuel or bio diesel will expand the fuel fittings and then when you switch back to normal fuel they contract creating air leaks that can cause the symptom you describe. It has become more of a problem since the introduction of low sulfur fuel. I had same thing happen to my 1999 turbo.

Hey, a friend of mine has a nice, 100k miles '99 OM606 turbo engine in a wrecked '98 E300D in Sheffield MA. They want to get rid of the whole car cheap!

Hi Chief,

Man if that wrecked one wasnt so far from FL Id really consider it.

Renntag, Yes I have received a good bit of interest and some "offers" but none I want to entertain at the moment.

I did reprice it to $2300 in Jacksonville, FL craigslist to generate some commitment and not just "tire-kickers"

Since no one really tossed out a number from my original post. Is $2300 a reasonable number for a nice car that needs engine work?

Seller I've been looking atfinding one of these for the lonest time very rare as you well know.
But I don't know which diesel powerplant something new? or the old 300TD out of 1985 vintage or a 6 cylinder 300 TD out of 1987 model? thanks, 4bnbad

Here's the thread on the EGR delete. I've done this on my 99 and took me most of an hour to do it in a tidy fashion. Works fine, no codes.

I was successful in deleting the EGR on my '95, but thought it was not possible on the '98. Thanks for sharing the info.

You bet! I'm one of those wacky WVO users, and have been considering WI for my setup. I recently had a valve job done (head was removed for a big glow plug ordeal already). The valves for sure had sticky build-up on them, at the top of the "flutes." :( I'm thinking the WI would help keep that at bay. So thank you for that tip!

No responses if $2300 is reasonable??

I think its in the ballpark yes??