I bought two 1985 300D Mercedes one is a parts car, one is the main car. The parts car was parked because it was driven over a ditch that had a log in it and ripped the oil pan off. The previous owner drove the car for about 20 minutes before parking it. Is it possible that the engine is still okay? I've heard how robust these engines are but I don't think even they will last that long without oil...

20 minutes without oil. I would say, unfortunately, the engine is toast.

Pull the bearing caps and see? Its 99.9% junk but its not like you will make it any worse by checking.

Is it the proverbial running when parked or it ran for 20 minutes before seizing?

Can you turn the crank by hand?

Sixto
98 E320 wagon
02 C320 wagon

Define drove... putzing on a slow road versus higher power ops?

The oil pan ripped off, as in zero oil??

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

maybe had slick 50 in it

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

I ran demo derby's for years...overheated,no oil ect.You would be surprised at how they survive sometimes.

Yes and yes. Also the engine wasn't seized when parked as far I know.

If it is not siezed I'd look in the pan and on the oil pump screen for metal pieces. If you don't find anything significant I'd install a pan and try to start it. If it runs and has good oil pressure you might have gotten lucky.

__________________
[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.