Is it really ruined? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

David Dodge · #16 02-10-2004, 12:44 PM

It would start through out the day. But not in the morning below 30 degrees without being plugged in the night before.

kerry · #17 02-10-2004, 12:47 PM

So apart from that, there was no evidence of bad glow plugs? It may be bad glow plugs, but that could easily be a symptom of low compression. If you haven't tested the plugs, I would not rule out the possibility that your engine has been on the decline for a while.

whunter · #18 02-10-2004, 12:59 PM

Hello
Stop guessing; have a cylinder leak down test done.
This will tell you if the rings are good or bad.
It will also give a better picture of engine health or lack there of.

"In the absence of data; further speculation is futile."
S. Holmes

notlostmaybe · #19 02-10-2004, 01:03 PM

it is starting to sound like you have a glow plug problem.
the engine starts when warm (block heater) and doesnt
start when cold (defective glow plug system)
what i might do:
make sure the fuel is flowing and thin.
in order
check the 80amp glow plug relay fuse and connections
turn on the ignition and warm the glow plugs
turn them off after a minute or so, carefully
check the block/plugs for warmth. failure to at least
warm is a relay failure (or an ignition switch failure)
take out 1 or more plugs and look for pitting/breaks/buildup.
look inside the plug hole for buildup.
you can do electrical testing, volt/amp ect. i am clueless there

new glow plugs (5) are about $60-75 and plugs with relay
are approx. $100 through internet sources.

if you truely have only 60lb of pressure in the cylinders,
your wife should be able to rotate the engine by pulling the
power stearing belt.

good luck, don

David Dodge · #20 02-10-2004, 11:49 PM

I only have to use the block heater overnight. During the day, after it starts in the morning. and it doesn't get below 30, it would still start ok.

I was getting plenty of fuel when I changed the filters and pumped it up.

Oil pressure held constantly good.

I'm taking all of this information to the mechanic (except the part about find a new one....I'm saving that for last).

I don't know yet if I can save it, but you guys have kept me in the game for awhile longer. Thanks very much.

If I have to abandon it, I will make you guys that offered help, a good deal on any of the parts or the whole thing for that matter. Its in NE OKLA. Has a decent body, but I'm presently unsure on the motor!

David Dodge

Jim Dandy · #21 02-11-2004, 07:52 AM

I know of a non-turbo 300D available near OKC for $350. The drivetrain is good, but the rest of the car needs help. Just something else to consider.

Habanero · #22 02-11-2004, 08:10 AM

Jim Dandy:
I'll bite... What's wrong with the rest of the car?

Jim Dandy · #23 02-11-2004, 08:19 AM

The driver's window has been broken out, the windshield, trunk, and sunroof leak, the muffler's been cut off (I have no idea why), the interior is kind of beat, the A/C doesn't work, and it's just been somewhat neglected by its current owner (a guy at work). It's been owned by three people at work. The first two owners used it as their daily driver for several years and took reasonably good care of the drivetrain (they let the rest of the car fall into disrepair) and the current owner used it as his daily driver for six months or so (he's only owned it for about a year-and-a-half). If you're interested, I can give you the guy's pager number and email.

olpos · #24 02-11-2004, 08:38 AM

well this is pushing it but try some intake spray. wd40 or a TINY bit of carb spray. even with low compression it will more than likely fire and maybe run. then you can get it home.
all 4 cylinders dropping to 60 at one time.you would need to have really over heated the motor the last 5-10 miles to do this.
this you would have noticed or smelled.
get new mechanic or compression gauge.
rich

Habanero · #25 02-11-2004, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the info J. D. I have been thinking of a fix-up project, but will have to get the wife's opinion.

Jim Dandy · #26 02-11-2004, 09:26 AM

Where do you live in Edmond? There's somebody up the street from me with a 300 SDL.

Fixer-upper projects always remind me of a guy my dad knew in Ada way back. He collected, rebuilt, salvaged, and drove his neighbors crazy with those old Ford cabover Econoline pickups. At any given time he'd have a half-a-dozen or so parked in his driveway and on the street around his house and almost none ran. The neighbors would complain to the police who would in turn come around and issue him abandoned vehicle warnings. Every couple of weeks his son and him would go out and push these heaps into to new parking places so that he could at least comply with the city's regulations. Funny stuff.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the body on the fixer-upper 300D is straight as far as I know (I haven't seen it in about a year).

Habanero · #27 02-11-2004, 10:46 AM

I live over on SE 30th St right next to the interstate. My wife is a vet at Equine Medical Associates there on the west frontage road. If the SDL smells like burnt chicken, it is probably mine.

Jim Dandy · #28 02-11-2004, 11:11 AM

Not you. I'm closer to 9th and Boulevard.

Habanero · #29 02-11-2004, 01:00 PM

I did not figure it was, my street is very short so there are only 2 or 3 more houses on it. The next door neighbor has 2 old (not sure of year) 300D's, but I have never seen either of them move in 2 years of living there.

David Dodge · #30 02-11-2004, 06:15 PM

Thanks for information Jim Dandy, I might just be interested in the swap.

"I know of a non-turbo 300D available near OKC for $350. The drivetrain is good, but the rest of the car needs help. Just something else to consider."

Now I'm wondering if he can put it back together well enough to test this stuff. I didn't hear anything, smell anything, feel anything different about the whole process of driving it that day.

"well this is pushing it but try some intake spray. wd40 or a TINY bit of carb spray. even with low compression it will more than likely fire and maybe run. then you can get it home.
all 4 cylinders dropping to 60 at one time.you would need to have really over heated the motor the last 5-10 miles to do this.
this you would have noticed or smelled.
get new mechanic or compression gauge.
rich"