Hey Folks,

Quick question... I am interested in a car listed on local craigslist. its a 84 300td
with 295k miles - no rust (so the seller says) in decent shape.

Heres the catch, the seller posted a video of it cold starting and the motor has a knock I think is concerning. My 82 616 with 150k is pretty clattery on cold starts, but I presume its injectors nailing since it comes and goes very sporadically for the first like 10 seconds of running and then goes right away as the car idles better. I also think injector nailing and engine knock are quite different noises.

I have heard a number of 240Ds that are quite clanky and clattery with many miles on them but honestly haven't been around many 617 turbos.

Heres the ad: https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1984-mercedes-benz-300td-w123/6379695854.html

Heres the video: https://youtu.be/ShxybdMEbP8

If the seller is on here please don't take offense... just doing my due diligence !

thats not an injector nailing its metal on metal. it could be something in the valve train as it doesn't sound as deep as a rod does when it goes. if you go take a look look at the blowby and see if the sound resonates in the intake or if you remove the oil cap.

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1985 300D om617: 8mm M pump 175cc 5200rpm, holset he221w @ 30psi, large A2W ic, compounds on the way.
KD9AFT
A&P

Don't buy it, find another wagon. That's not normal and you would need to address that immediately. The price is too high with a engine problem.

Definitely sounds mechanical in nature. Possibly a wrist pin? It doesn't sound like injector nailing to me.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

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

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]

Would anyone want to suggest a reasonable price for the car with the motor noise?

An engine rebuild would cost at least as much as the seller is asking for the car. Body is not perfect. Maybe $1000 and then try and find a good used engine?

If I were selling my 85 with perfect running rebuilt engine, I wouldn't hope to get 1/2 the asking price for that car. (It's not for sale!)

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Might be a failing vac pump. Nothing to sneeze at.

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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.

spun rod bearing?

Usually injector nailing has rough idling/running associated with it. The ad says valves were adjusted, so unless one was not adjusted properly, I would rule out a valve/follower problem. It was also stated that the injectors were replaced (this can rule out or confirm injector nailing depending on if the injectors were rebuilt properly). A Diesel Purge was done as well. Although it is hard to tell exactly what is causing the noise on the video, my money is on a wrist pin. I had an engine that I was sure the sound was coming from the valve train, but turned out to be a bad wrist pin. After pulling the head, I could see where #1 was just kissing the head. Either way, the car is not worth the asking price with that many miles, and even without the knock (in my opinion).

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

When people post a video so you can hear how it sounds and they talk through the whole thing.

-Rog

With TW ,Vac pumps give out at the roller bearing armature ,the sound is undetectable where its coming from when this does occur ,lends itself that its the motor ,it is the bearing itself that fails ,you then end up with the armature piece riding around on the drive surface of the pump landing (roller coaster looking piece )and making this exact noise ,if you wait long enough the armature fails and ends the guess work for you ,spills into the chain gallery.Had the same noise ,2 different cars ,saved both with a replaced vac pump.Once you have it off its very noticable.

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.

Bottom end noise, rod i'm guessing.

Don't understand how a low millage OM617 can produce such a horrendous sound. Why and how did it happen?

It probably has triple the claimed millage
Ran it low on oil
Ran the wrong oil
Never changed the oi

It doesn't add up.

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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.