Just picked up a 1 owner, dealer maintained 1987 300SDL with 62,000 miles.

I last owned a 300d, 1983 about 2 years ago, so I haven't been driving or around a MB diesel in a while. I am having a hard time deciding if this engine sounds normal, or loud.

Link:

https://youtu.be/IDusRLs32L0

Thanks!

The engine itself sounds normal. You have a craptastic lifter or two in there though. Try running some high-test oil for a while and driving it hard and see if it goes away. If not, plan on a set of lifters, they're not that expensive and the whole job takes about an hour and a half including cleanup.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Thanks. Planned to change oil with 15w-40 rotella T.

Would you suggest a different oil, or possibly an oil additive? Or fuel additive?

Going to take it on the highway and around town for a shakedown. Hasn't been driven much in the past year

I'm not a believer in a "fix in a can", I'm sure others have their opinions, but I haven't personally had good luck with any of them.

A common thing to try for noisy lifters is the Mobil 1 5W-40 diesel oil. It contains a relatively strong cocktail of detergents that can sometimes free up the varnished components in the hydraulic tappets in the lifters. Drive for an oil change interval and see if it helps. Either it will or it won't. Since you're changing oil and filter anyway, it's a good place to start. Not trying to start an oil war here, it's just a common piece of advice that's often suggested and has a 50-50 chance of working.

My SDL sat in a field for 10 years. All 12 lifters were collapsed in it and it sounded horrible. I took the originals apart and cleaned them in solvent and got a good 5000 miles out of them before one of them started making noise again. At that point I changed out all 12 with new INA branded lifters and the engine is so much quieter.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Thanks again!

Yeah, it sounds very similar to the car I have when I first purchased it.
Once you get new lifters it will run like a champ.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

I hear a raspy rubbing note in there, as well as the lifter clack. Maybe an issue with an accessory on the serpentine belt?

I see you're also in Charleston! Maybe we can meet up and I can listen in person?

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC