Hey SDL fans:

Can you give me some quick advice on this '87 SDL:

Ebay #1814626120 (withdrawn from normal page now that its sold)

A buddy just bought it for $4400 but doesn't have to lay out cash until he gets there. The actual mileage from carfax indicates more like 197k. What should he watch out for? Was that a good year, good engine?

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Don,

The OM603.xxx engine is very powerful and smooth. My 87 300TD uses the same motor. However, the motor has one week spot if the engine overheats. The AL head cracks. If you searched the forums here, Lance in IL just had the head on his 87 300SDL replaced and the cost is about $5k.

Hey Bo:

Thanks for the info. I assume then that the SDL in question has an aluminum head verses the older beasts like mine. I'm assuming that mine don't?

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Yours has a cast iron head and block. Both having the same coefficients of heat expansion/cold contraction. This is good. The six cylinder Diesel motors have a cast iron block and a aluminum head. Hard to keep head gasket material in one place for a very long time (as in the lifetime of a car) when two metals have different coefficients.

Kirk is right.

Also, aluminum is not quiet as strong as iron. In an overheating situation, the stress developed due to the thermal expansion between two different materials will crack the aluminum, especially in those areas that are thin (between cylinder hole and valve, for example).

I believe I have seen some pics of these cracks. Do a search and you might find them.

The symptoms of a cracked head are higher coolant temp, coolant disappearing (slowly), white smoke, rough idle, etc.

This thread has some links to the crack head.

Pics of crack in OM603 head - do I need a new one?