What to look for in a diesel that has sat FOR TEN YEARS - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 05-13-2013, 07:14 PM

I've got a line on a mid-80's MB diesel that has sat in a garage, undriven, for ten count 'em ten years. Though I have not seen the car yet, apparently it is in cosmetically good shape. I'm confident it can be picked up for pretty cheap. New tires and battery, oil change, fresh fuel and filters are obvious. What else would one do to bring such a car back to life? What kinds of deterioration should I especially look for? Thanks.

Phillytwotank · #2 05-13-2013, 07:19 PM

Motor mounts. Trans mounts. Fuel lines. Drive shaft flex disc.

ayrtonsenna · #3 05-13-2013, 07:21 PM

Cv boots, all rubber lines. all rubber in general, really.

SD Blue · #4 05-13-2013, 07:48 PM

EEK a MOUSE!

I would expect to see mice or signs of them. Moth balls will drive them out.

I would remove the glow plugs and inject a little Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder. Then, after a couple of days, turn the engine over by hand several times. Even better, use some 2-stroke fogging oil that is used on outboard motors.

Once you feel that everything is moving freely, crank it without the glow plugs to blow out any excess fluid. Reinstall the glow plugs and fire it up, with a large grin on your face.

cooljjay · #5 05-13-2013, 08:10 PM

Ahh just start it, mine has sat for 20+ years....start it, let it idle....then change all the fluids....and yes everything will be rotted from the horse hair in the seats, to the oil cooler lines....

shertex · #6 05-13-2013, 08:14 PM

Might be too much for me to tackle....but does sound kind of fun.

t walgamuth · #7 05-13-2013, 08:30 PM

If its not stuck I'd prolly put in some biocide, a new battery and crank it over.

GregMN · #8 05-13-2013, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Ahh just start it, mine has sat for 20+ years....start it, let it idle....then change all the fluids....and yes everything will be rotted from the horse hair in the seats, to the oil cooler lines....

X2

But First !!! Remove the air cleaner and remove the mouse nest.

Skid Row Joe · #9 05-13-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Might be too much for me to tackle....but does sound kind of fun.

First you have to see and inspect it's condition and miles. If it has an asking price, then try to decide if and when you want to try and buy it, by analyzing it's current state of condition.

My 16-year old 300SD with 305K miles on it was in better condition and light years ahead in every way versus abused diesel MB cars of the same vintage with less than 1/3 the miles. Many ppl really let their cars go to pot, that's why you can't tell anything until such time as you can see, feel, touch and listen to the merchandise. I'm finding the same lack of care in MB diesel cars of my 14-year old car's vintage. It's amazing how seemingly all of them get used and abused. Just tragic the poor condition some are in.

cooljjay · #10 05-13-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregMN

X2

But First !!! Remove the air cleaner and remove the mouse nest.

Depends on it'd location....you may also want to de-snake it.....fumigate the mud wasps and or remove the bees nest from the trunk

I'll take a jar of honey!

PPS....find out if it was ran on any alternative fuels.....if it was runnnnnnnn fast fast away...

fdanielson · #11 05-13-2013, 09:29 PM

Having some first hand experience firing up a motor that sat for some years I can tell you that the rack in the injection pump can bind up internally and, if it does start, it may run away. Take a few minutes and remove the screws on the top cover of the pump, swivel it around, and look down inside while operating the accelerator linkage and then applying vacuum to the shut off valve to make sure the rack is moving back and forth properly. When you do start it the first time make sure to take the air cleaner off and have a block of wood handy to cover the intake and kill the engine.

You may find it hard to start and need to clean the delivery valves to unstick them. Of course it may just start up and run like it was parked yesterday.

Alastair · #12 05-13-2013, 09:30 PM

Ah--what hasn't been mentioned--or I missed it-- All the brake-components such as calipers and master-cylinder will probably need replacing too, not only the fluid!.

dude99 · #13 05-13-2013, 09:35 PM

If it sat in a garage it might be alright shape. Don't worry about the fuel, odds are it'll be fine. I'd check the oil, pull the airliner (as other have suggested) and start er up. The tires probably have flat spots by now. The rest really depends on how it was maintained prior to being parked.

shadetree77 · #14 05-13-2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alastair

Ah--what hasn't been mentioned--or I missed it-- All the brake-components such as calipers and master-cylinder will probably need replacing too, not only the fluid!.

what he said! i got my 83SD after it was sitting for 7 years. i did all new rotors/calipers but did not do the master cylinder. brakes went out after 1st test drive with new "brakes" because the rubber seal in the MC broke. the MC's are not really expensive

cooljjay · #15 05-13-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdanielson

Having some first hand experience firing up a motor that sat for some years I can tell you that the rack in the injection pump can bind up internally and, if it does start, it may run away. Take a few minutes and remove the screws on the top cover of the pump,

That's a very very bad idea, don't ever remove the screws from the IP let alone the cover....its a Pandora's box....things will pop out everywhere....

If your really really paranoid about breaking something....turn the engine over by hand for a bit.....that should get the oil circulating again....if your super super paranoid....remove the stater and turn the flywheel with a large screw driver....tooth by tooth back and fourth...