Will post few pics tonight . This is the 240D with head gasket issue.

....

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Brought home today 83 240D
This was probably heading to the bone yard if I didn't buy it from the PO.

Mechanic who stored the car for the PO says needs new engine or blown head gasket.. It does start and drive, and the oil pressure gauge does get pinned on acceleration. However it didn't make it all the way up to the top of the flatbed on the ride home. This is my first 240 but I am guessing they can go up hills.

The nice things here are the interior. Seats are excellent. The dash has a few cracks but not as bad as I've seen on other Florida benzes. Seems all 4 windows & sunroof open & close fairly well . I have a folder of records 1" thick to sift through since the PO bought the with 50,000 miles in May of '87.

They kept it running and did things but it has rust issues around the rear window seal. lower doors , front fender , but on the lift the chassis is solid ....

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

long term project .. After I do my best dealing with the rust issues I probably will be making some calls to local Florida forum member buddies, for help getting the engine either repaired or replaced. If I do a good job probably will want to add a 3rd pedal for my left foot.


..

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Yes, 240 automatics can go up hills (with a running start and no AC on!).
Sounds like you have a good project on your hands, congrats on keeping another one from heading to the junkyard!
I don't often hear of head gasket failures on these engines, but I suppose it can happen...

__________________
1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

This is the 3rd engine - Was told 1st time the oil filter housing cover was not tightened properly - 2nd time the oil pan drain plug came out !!

It is a moot point so I didn't want to ask but sounds like they were taking their benz to jiffylube. (helpmelord)

...

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Oh my... three engines... jiffylube...
I'll keep changing the oil on my cars as long as I am able to crawl under there, for that very reason...

__________________
1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

Any input on a good indy, or sharp forum member near the Boca Raton; or Broward ; even Dade County area would be appreciated. I am not exp on engines....

AA

...

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Its a hike from Boca but my grandmother always had my 240D serviced at Karl's German Auto in Miami. It was located off SW 136th ST and US1 in the warehouses by The Falls if you are familiar with the area. I can't remember the name of the owner (not Karl he passed away years ago) but I was always pleased with their work and it was very close to my house.

There is also Pierre Hedary. He is known to do excellent work and is a member of MBCA. His shop is somewhere on the east coast in the Titusville area I think. Also a hike from Boca but by all accounts worth it.

Hi GB,

Looks like Karls moved further south of Kendall and Pierre is little far.. I keep Karls in mind ....Thanks!

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Karl's German Auto

Found them. They are in the same place as they were before. The picture of the new owners looks like its the son of the guy I dealt with before. Still cant remember their name though.

What engine symptoms are you seeing?

Found this website Mercedes-Benz Repair Shops - Find a Mercedes Mechanic | BenzShops.com which is probably just advertising but it is helpful to vett out indys .. I was also referred to a shop in Ft. Laud named Autobahn Performance by a place that rebuilds heads called Cylinder Head Exchange first, .. then found this site. ( no affiliations)

Symptoms far as I can tell: Car starts up - holds idle - runs & drives - oil pressure when accelerating does get pinned high - ( as pictured ).
Driving has lack of power even for a 240D. It moves slowly but when the flatbed came to pick it up and take to my place - I tried to drive it up the flatbed ramp and couldn't make it past about 3/4 way up . Maybe a 240D needs a running start ? Not sure...

When idling there is no white smoke - but if I accelerate high - it does blow some white smoke - I think there is a smell of steam in the engine when removed the oil cap after shutting it off.

Thanks. Austin

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

You want to check a few things out perhaps before commiting to outside work. Common isssue on these 240ds is when you press the accelorator pedal to the floor. The linkage does not move the injection pump arm to the end. Some previous owners drive years with that situation.

Also might want to check for fuel starvation. Is your coolant level dropping down? What coolant temperatures are you seeing?

Some of these cars have had so little attention in so many years there are problems usually of a minor nature stacked on top of each other.

The white smoke can be water vapour or unburnt fuel. An indication is the anti freeze it should smell sweet coming out the tailpipe. Also will condense on a mirror held right behind the tailpipe when the white smoke is present.

Unburnt diesel also has a different smell. There are tests you can use to narrow the probability down. Does the engine idle smooth? Compression test? Should be done anyways to see what is present. Both as a diagnostic aid and to acertain if there is much upside with this engine.

In my opinion you need to know a little more of where you are at before writing an open check with an outside source. Anything is fixable but the amount of dollars might be stressful.

If you cannot diagnose the overall situation youself paying for one is not a bad ideal but the mechanic should be competant. Then you could decide what to do. Good used engines can be had reasonably cheap still in many geographical locations.

Barry,

This is info I was looking to get...
The accelerator checked and it doesn't quite go to end when floored but it gets close.. going to drive it around the streets a bit and check the temp & level.

Thanks, Austin

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Took a 15 minute drive around the streets -
Engine temp stayed at just above the 80 degree mark steady. The engine does idle smoothly , and accelerates smoothly too.

The car seemed to drive ok to me this time. Yes initial acceleration is slow but this is my only exp w/ a 240D. Like a slow 300D. Once I get up to 20-25mph it seems to drive normal. The oil pressure is fine when driving pinned at "3".

Coolant stayed at the same level in the radiator after the drive as it was before.

Any next suggestions appreciated...? I was thinking to get some CRC and clean the Mass airflow sensor..Never done that before but read up on it last night. The current air filter is pretty dirty .

AA

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."