So you agree it might be the Vac pump, right?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes TW,In my experience of bad engine noises on the diesel 617 the vac pump is the first look ,this due to the unit not expected to be pushed past 300k miles ,the 617 head and block are very capable to surpass this as long as the VPs dont end their service.Call me 2 times lucky in this department ,some of the old girls dont survive their young owners.

Someone could have done a poor job on a valve adjustment also ,possibley ,could be this,might be that.Shot in the dark til an actual mechanic takes her for a ride ,diagnoise and exploratory surgery is performed .Price may differ at the end ,old cars and your pocket book ,never come out winning against the odds.

Did anyone notice that the posting date for the youtube video was December 15, 2016? Looks like he's been trying to unload this TDT for a long time.

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1991 300D 2.5 "Rocinante"
2002 Golf TDI "Teen Spirit"
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1984 300D
1966 Mustang I6 3sp
1985 Mazda RX-7 GSLSE
1982 Toyota Supra
1977 Datsun 280z
1971 Datsun 240z

Hmm..

I would like to send him an offer on the car but am worried at this point I'll insult him. Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate it. Alot of people simply say " these motors are noisy" so I really needed some perspective before checking it out. The hope was that he would want to trade for my mint 450SEL but I'm thinking my car is worth much more and in much better shape.

Don't be shy. Make what you believe to be a fair offer and let him decide. It might be the only one he gets. Just be courteous about it and apologetic but firm. If he gets mad The helz with him if he can't take a joke!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I wouldn't send him anything. If I wanted this car I would set up a meeting and take cash in hand. You have to decide if you want the car and what you're willing to pay for it.

Since the add is old you might want to check the odometer and see how much it's been driven. Unless the odometer has a moved significantly since the posting I would walk away. If the guy thinks there's nothing wrong with the car then he would be driving it. If the odo hasn't moved then I wouldn't risk either of the following choices.

If he's parked it the most likely scenario is that he knows what's wrong with the car. He won't drive it because he knows the engine is going to fail. If the odo is dead you'll never know narrow it down without identifying the problem with the knock.

Most folks here think the racket from that engine is pretty bad. It's unusual to have so many point out such a variety of potential issues all which require major work but I think it's worth a look. If you decide to proceed take a mechanic's stethoscope or a small hose if you don't have the stethoscope. Stick one end in your ear and move the other around close to the engine until you've found the source of the knock.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

The difference between what he thinks the wagon is worth ($7900) and the consensus here ($1000) is so much that a reasonable offer might offend him, so at least have defensive measures if you go see it. There is a term "craigslist flake" which I would never toss around. I couldn't hear the video but when the vacuum pump bearing in my 1985 300D failed, it made a loud clacking sound and the source wasn't obvious. It wore half thru the follower arm in 100 mi so driven like that would have soon brought catastrophe (parts slide into timing chain). Another possibility is just the alternator fan clanking against the bracket. But, at least a 50% chance of "bad engine", so price accordingly.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

Feel free to compare with my blue car that had a worn out cam and followers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzLLIDDYk4o

That was a "cold" start at somewhere around 60ish ambient. my car always knocked worse when it got hot, and had a funny hesitation/roughness from idle to about 1500rpm (which could also be the alda was poorly adjusted)


A valve adjustment did little to help the noise, nor did a new vacuum pump.

Somewhere I have pics of the cam and followers:
Some ideas on a OM617 Knocking/Tapping/Nailing?

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1982 300D (w123, "Grey Car")
1982 300D (w123, "Blue Car")
2001 Ford F150 "Clifford" (The Big Red Truck)
1997 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
Previous Vehicles:
1995 E300D, 1980 300SD, 1992 Buick Century, 2005 Saturn Ion

You just make an offer based on general market. For the condition it is in. Even telling him that is what the general market indicates.

What he is asking is a lot of money for a car with a ton of miles on it in all likelihood alone. Yes it is a wagon but that still does not justify anywhere near the price. Even if the engine was sound.

I have a general rule. I will pass a 123 model by if the original seats are shot. In reasonable use they can last to 275K. Still in decent condition. You get a car with too many accumulated miles. Generally you will almost constantly be dealing with something.

There are still good examples of them out there it just takes some time to locate one.

If I were going to spend 8 grand on a 30+ year old car, I would demand that it be in near pristine condition. The engine noise is probably something the owner "fixed." Seeing that he calls it a 300TDT, I would not trust any of the work he did on it since he can't get the model name right to begin with. It could be an easy fix or an expensive fix, I wouldn't gamble my 8 G's on it, though.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

Interesting knock sound ~ sounds like upper engine to me, not bearing nor piston slap IMO .

I'm highly suspicious of this car because the factory air filter has been removed on the newer photos and this usually indicates poor maintenance and serious thrashing by whomever made the change .

The swapped out front seats is also a reason to be skeptical .

Looks nice but, Caveat Emptor .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

If the car is pristine, let him fox the simple engine knock. Otherwise it is like any other ragged out old car.

My current 84SD started at $5,000. I gave $1500 which was too much.