Just saw an ad for a '83 300CD. Ad says it needs a fuel distributor. How hard is it to replace and are they available?

Thanks.
Mike

__________________
Thanks,
Mike

'83 300D
'87 Volvo DL Wagon
'88 420SEL (SOLD)
'98 Toyota Camry SE V6
'96 Ford Brono XLT
'94 Mercury Villager
'46 Willy's CJ2A
'40 Packard 110 4DSD

"Just another squirrel, trying to get a nut"

What the sam-hill is a fuel distributor?

Maybe they're referring to the fuel injector pump. If that's the case, unless the car's really cheap, I'd pass. Injector pumps aren't cheap, and when you replace them, you have to reset the injection timing...which is doable but is as much art as science.

Thanks Warden.
I thought I was on the wrong path when I could only find
references to a fuel distributor for gas engines.
The car seems cheap enough at $1800, but I won't know any more about mileage or condition 'till Monday when I call the
shop that has it for sale.

Mike

__________________
Thanks,
Mike

'83 300D
'87 Volvo DL Wagon
'88 420SEL (SOLD)
'98 Toyota Camry SE V6
'96 Ford Brono XLT
'94 Mercury Villager
'46 Willy's CJ2A
'40 Packard 110 4DSD

"Just another squirrel, trying to get a nut"

BigMike,

You should find out why they think it needs a new "fuel distributor" AKA injection pump (IP). If they don't know the correct name of the IP, they might not know much else about it either.

If it does need another IP, they can usually be rebuilt at a Diesel injection shop for less than purchasing a rebuilt unit. Sometimes only a small part is bad and an honest shop will only charge you for repairing that instead of overhauling the entire pump.

P E H

If they think a diesel has a fuel distributor then chances are they know nothing of diesels. Take a good look at it yourself. Perhaps it just needs a glow plug relay or a filter change.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

$1800 seems a little high considering the details. Shops usyally buy cars if they messed it up or saw a quick dollar. They might have caused the IP problem themselves. Keep looking and be patient, your dream car will show up.

Thanks gents,

I will be calling the seller tommorrow for more details.
The ad I saw was for an outfit that sells rebuilable wrecks, with a smattering of "ready to go" vehicles. I plan on asking how they came to the conclusion that the car needs a "fuel distributor".
As well as the rest of the details, like mileage condition of the car, and oh yeah, DOES IT RUN?

Thanks again.

Mike

__________________
Thanks,
Mike

'83 300D
'87 Volvo DL Wagon
'88 420SEL (SOLD)
'98 Toyota Camry SE V6
'96 Ford Brono XLT
'94 Mercury Villager
'46 Willy's CJ2A
'40 Packard 110 4DSD

"Just another squirrel, trying to get a nut"

Just spoke with the seller.
Car is not running after a head replacement.
An edumacated guess brought him to the "fuel distributor" diagnosis.
With 225k miles, and what sounds like a bad repaint ( bubbling and peeling ) I think I'll pass.

Thanks for all the sound advice fella's.


Mike

__________________
Thanks,
Mike

'83 300D
'87 Volvo DL Wagon
'88 420SEL (SOLD)
'98 Toyota Camry SE V6
'96 Ford Brono XLT
'94 Mercury Villager
'46 Willy's CJ2A
'40 Packard 110 4DSD

"Just another squirrel, trying to get a nut"

Smart choice.