That the real problem is that I stopped checking the oil dipstick and just kept adding a quart of oil every 300-400 miles... So now after giving it some thought and checking the oil level, I can see that it is over-filled... I don't know where to go to drain out what is probably 1-2 quarts too much... I can say that it looks like maybe as much as one cup drains out of the air filter housing when I put it in park after driving a couple hundred miles... For now, obviously, I am not parking in the driveway and am not going to add more... Hoping that the excess is not going to cause any permanent damage over the next 300 miles when I can get home and just drain it all out, wash the engine off and start over...

Buy a small oil drain pan at an auto parts store and drain out 2 quarts. Do it when the oil is cold so you don't burn yourself putting the plug back in.

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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

I made it home on Monday around noon... As it turns out, it was my fault for over-filling with oil that caused my problems starting thru Texas and carrying over thru to Phoenix... However, enuf of the oil had burned off by the time I left Phoenix that it was smooth sailing all the way back for the final 300 miles Phoenix to Palm Springs... It is time now to drain the old stuff out and only add what I really need...
After this 5000+ mile journey I am well impressed with the performance of my "Old Grey Mare"... Had it not been for my own incompetence I would have to say that the car turned in a flawless performance... Now, having said all that I am not sure if you all knew that I made this trip without the benefit of A/C... Yes, it was one of those things that like "no smoke, no leaks" that while it was blowing cold when I bought it, within a couple of weeks that stopped and the leaking and smoking started... lol...
I bring this up because I am now at the crossroads... Do I decide to become a "Mercedes Guy" and continue to invest in the rehab this car or if I should go the other way and say "Yea, I got my kicks on Route 66" but pass the car on to the next enthusiast... For sure I enjoy the occasional "nice car" comment and don't know if I would have enjoyed the trip as much by renting a Toyota Yaris for $1000 (saving myself $4000)... So I am going to get the car cleaned up again and spend some time evaluating how I really feel... Either way it has been fun sharing this experience with all of you...

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well, how much rehab do you think you're in for on the CD? Sounds like fixing a leak will return your A/C, which needs to be done as soon as possible to prevent damage from air getting into the vacuum system. How much do you think you'll need to spend to get her in tip-top shape? I think you'd enjoy having that car for a long time, will little more than maintenance after you get her in "tip-top."

Torie

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

Ok ~ I wanted to check in to let you all know that I sold my Ol' Gray Mare last week... I decided that it was a lot of fun, but that I was gonna hang up my mechanics hat for a while... I was happy to get what I paid for it... For now I am gonna be driving my other old faithful, which is my '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee... After a while I am thinking to get myself a newer MB... Altho I will be staying with the coupe that I like, I will be looking around for a 2001-2005 CL500 or CLK430/500... So thanks again for all of those that stuck around for my journey !!... Take good care... ~kevin

I enjoyed reading this story. In 2005 I was living in Houston and they started evacuating people for Hurricane Rita. My mother asked if I would pick up my grandmother as she was out of town. At the time I had a new E55 and my grandmother was driving a 1998 S500. When I got to my grandmothers house she already had her bags in her old 300D, there was no question in either of our minds which car we would leave town in. I don't think that would have been the obvious choice for most people but when you know these cars and are familiar with how they work and what their capabilities are the choice is obvious. We left town and never looked back, stop and go traffic for 5+ hours and another 3 to get to where we were going, that tank never missed a beat. My grandmother is no longer with us but I would make the same decision today.

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2001 G500 (45k and counting)
1991 350SDL (211 and counting)
1998 C43 (50k) Silver/Black (sold)
1995 E500 (40k and counting) Pearl Black/Anthracite (sold)
1991 300CE (50k and counting) Silver/Black Cloth (sold)
1983 300D - 79k Classic White/Blue Leather
2002 E55 Obsidian Black/Black
1996 S600 Coupe - 75k Black/Black (traded)
1984 300D -145k (sold)
Silver Blue Metallic/ Blue Leather
1985 300D - 87k (sold)
Manganese Brown/ Palomino Leather
2005 E55, 50k(sold)
Flint Gray/Black

Not sure if someone already posted but an extra voltage regulator and some jumper cables.

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83 300CD- sanden, dual p/f condensers, 160a alternator, ect
91 300TD- 722.6, #22 head, 3.5L IP, w140 manifolds, ect