Hello folks,

I'm Dave and this would be my first post here.

I'm looking into purchasing an '81 300SD(OM617 engine) with 297K miles on it for around $800. The vehicle was originally from Louisiana, so the body is solid save for the front bumper(rotted in a few small spots and will need to replace).

I've given it a thorough look over on 2 occasions so far.

Noticed a few things that bother me, and others that i'm looking for answers on before buying the car.

This is not my first diesel, and i know diesels well, but not so much in the MB dept. I've rebuilt many of the old GM 6.5s and 6.2s, and own one of each myself.

First off it starts right up after the GP light goes out. Smokes a good bit on the first start, like the injectors are leaking into the cylinders after shutdown.

The fuel has a strong sulfur smell to it so it's either really old, or possibly home heating oil.

The primary fuel filter is almost black so it is filthy. I know it has to be changed as does the secondary before any real miles are put on it.

The engine smokes blue a bit when running. Smoke smells like diesel, not oil. Do the injectors in the vehicles wear out like the ones i'm used to dealing with and end up with poor spray patterns and leakdown issues? What is the change interval, if any, on injectors?

It has a pretty bad valve cover leak so that will need to be addressed along with i'd say the first valve adjustment it's had in probably forever.

I can't test drive the car due to a leaking transmission line, and that it's not registered. I'm guessing the trans line was struck by something at some point because the line is not rusted at all yet it leaks from right under the injection pump area where the lines run to the radiator.

The engine seems to run fine at a fast idle and throughout the RPM range(in-operative tachometer so i can't be sure where it's running).

If the engine is revved hard it will give a good cloud of blueish smoke and then it seems to clear up.

My other question has to do with the timing chain. Do these chains have to be replaced at a set mileage?

I don't think this one has ever been done, but i can't be too sure.

The car seems to be well cared for. The trans fluid is nice and red and smells fresh, so someone has tended to it before i think.

The gas pedal is also busted. Where it attaches to the steel bell crank rod it is no longer attached to the pedal. the pedal is still attached to the floor however. This can be repaired right?

Other basic things are just from the car sitting.

Ign switch is a little sticky. Sometimes the car won't shut down until i mess with the switch. Other times i have to mess with it to get the blower to kick on. The car did sit for several years unused so i'm hoping it's just a sticky contact/vac switch issue.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

I just want to make sure i'm not buying a disaster.

Thanks everyone.

- Dave