How do you know the turbo (84 300SD) is going bad? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bodyart27 · #1 01-11-2003, 10:15 PM

I had our family's 1984 300SD w/ 180K miles given the once over by our shop that has done about 10 years of work on the car to see how she was doing mechanically (that and so I could budget for needed repairs - great car - but always need something). I did not have a whole lot of time to talk to the service writer, but he had the turbo written down as needing to be replaced. He said it didn't have the pull (acceleration?) it should and though the turbine did not move back and forth (I guess the spindle can get slop?) it was hard to turn by hand (stiction?).

There are some leaks around the turbo that I would love to clean up as well - so it might take care of all those issues.

Does this sound right (needing to be replaced)? I didn' think the car was driving poorly - but then again - I expect it to be pookey off the line. I guess a boost gauge would be nice

Palangi · #2 01-11-2003, 11:21 PM

Turbo failures are seem to be not very common on these cars, but if it turns rough by hand, it's toast. If it turns OK by hand, check the banjo bolt on the back of the mainfold for krud buildup. Cleaning out the krud usually restores performance.