Kieth:

If there are any rough spot in the rotation, or binding every so often, etc, the turbo will never get up to speed unless you floor it a while, and then it will still run slow. Makes a huge difference on performance.

$300 trade-in sounds about correct to me. I would still check out the boost signal system -- likely the line and banjo bolt are full of crud if the turbo went bad.

Good luck!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Well, I went with the cheapo rebuild, BUT when I checked at the dealer about replacing oil lines, I was told I was the first ever to ask and they're $100+ ea. and probably not available anyway. Work begins in earnest tomorrow, although the wash and wax really brought the best out in my neighbors. Keith

While I am sure no one is watching this thread anymore, I feel a certain obligation to post the outcome. When I removed the turbo I could see instantly that it had been killed by chunks of ceramic honeycomb breaking off the trap oxidizer and sticking on the turbine. When I called to find out the cost of a new one of these, I was told that the dealership will in most cases replace the oxidizer and the turbo at no charge. Which is what has happened. Yes really. I have to admit that virtually all of my experiences with automotive dealerships have not been to my liking.As a result I tend to be negatively predjudiced toward them. Mercedes though has me wondering if perhaps I have merely been driving the wrong car all along...K

Your car is 18+ yrs. old.........and they replaced the turbo and T.O. retrofit for FREE. Are these cars great or what! Congratulations.

I, for one, really appreciate it when the final outcome of the problem is posted. Thanks.

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

KeithG,

Great to hear the end of the saga, and what a great ending! Most of us like to see a story end, so posting the final result is always of interest. Thanks, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

There is a reason people used to plop down the price of a Benz -- MB is still replacing W107 front subframes if they are orignial and crack in service, and they started selling them in 1972! Probably the only manufacturer to take that kind of care of their product.

The trap oxidizer/turbo replacement is a continuing thing -- the trap has been replaced with a catalyst (usually downstream) and if the turbo got trashed by a bad oxidizer, it gets replaced too! Good deal! However, it will only be done at the correct milage (30000 mile intervals) or if the trap fails.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

My prior experience with dealers leads me to believe they tend to consider higher price just a platform from which they can really stick it to you on parts and "service". To learn Mercedes owns up to flaws on even older cars than mine is almost shocking. I actually found a flyer describing the 30K replacement scheme that I had overklooked in the glove box. Thanks again to all who wrote in with warnings and encouragement.

What a great ending!----Thanks for posting the end of story----I like to hear them too...Aloha

__________________
RT


1984 300D---Sold
1995 E420 - 106K - Brilliant Silver Metallic/Orion Gray --- Sold
1984 300SD - 151K Manganese Brown Metallic/Mostly Black --- Sold
1982 240D - 79K - Manila Beige/Palomino---Sold