A Brand New Member With Three Ailing Merc's (2xTD, 1 SD)

[Mustapha63701]

Hello,

My name is Mustapha and I live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri USA and I have been a very long-term Merc lover... I have been lucky enough to have owned a variety of Merc's (even a trio of D-309 Omnibuses) and not have experienced too many, truly "serious" problems... (Of course one of my D-309's was aptly named the "anti-Christ" as it had the habit of being "highly" undependable and temperamental – and I’m being kind!)

God has, in His/Her infinite wisdom, given me the unexplainable love for all things in need of serious repair and as a consequence, has tested my sanity to its limits, over many, many years…

Recently (all at once it seems) I came into ownership of three fairly old and neglected Merc's (two 1979 300TD's and a lone 1982 300SD.)

The first; a 1979 300TD suffers from the usual W123 extensive rust issues (front fenders, rear quarters, etc.) This one really is a "twenty-footer" in that it looks very "impressive" in its very shiny red appearance; that is until one approaches close enough to notice the numerous "bubbles" (oh so indicative of serious rust/cancer "issues...") Though the car "sits" fairly "high" and almost has a rally like appearance, there seems to be something "wrong" with the rear hydraulics... Even the lite and moderate bumps causes riders to bounce about (while laughing out-loud...) Of course there're other problems but, those I've experienced before (such as a bad climate control valve, etc.) with other Merc’s. I've owned a European '83 500SEL in the past and that one too, had a similar "bounce" problem but in that case, the "bounce" was much more pronounced and severe... The engine in this red beauty runs well and starts relatively easily and the transmission shifts as should. I think the rust issue could be corrected with replacing the front fenders with new ones and well, hoping for the best with the other areas... Perhaps an exorcism too, would be helpful. (Has anyone ever tried the "Power of Christ Compels You" approach in regards to the hydraulics woes?)

The second; a 1979 300TD (Originally sold/driven in Belgium until 1985 when it was "properly" imported into the U.S. and given a DOT approval after extensive and well documented "alterations.") Suffers too, from serious "rot" but has a fairly well survived interior including a rear-facing children’s seat... It also has a completely rebuilt rear hydraulics system (and man, was it ever costly!) This car has a front-end "issue" that causes severe tire wear (I was told the tires were very recent, all around, yet the front two were worn extensively from the inside edge to the middles...) At times, it seems the tires are leaning in and at times, leaning out. Then most of the times, the front tires are perfectly aligned as though nothing is wrong!? (Oddly enough, this car passed inspection!!!) This car also has a bad brake system (I think the master cylinder has moved on to the Great Stuttgart in the Sky...) which makes any necessary "movement" fairly exciting, to say the least... The engine though showing 242XXX miles runs very well and starting is not an issue. (When stopping it seems the first attempt does slow the vehicle somewhat but subsequent presses on the brake pedal only causes the pedal to go down fully and not respond at all…) This car also has something very unique; electrical door locks! (Professionally converted after entering into the U.S., and still very responsive.) Has anyone ever seen any other Merc’s of this vintage with such a conversion? (Probably, this vehicle will just be a parts donor vehicle as I'm afraid the front-end repairs alone could exceed easily its worth! (Kelly's Blue Book kbb.com shows very low values for the W123 300TD's in general.)

The last Merc orphan; a 1982 300SD has a fairly solid body (light rust and in need of new paint,) nice interior and yet a "mysterious" problem with its engine. Basically, the glow plug light does not light up (I checked the bulb and all is well) so, one has to sort of "guess" when to try to start (to say this takes some time would be an understatement!) and when the engine fires up, though the engine sounds "fine" (with no abnormal vibrations, etc.) when put in gear, it feels as though the engine has hardly any power at all... (In comparison, the other two 300TD's feel like Formula 1 racers!) It takes time to get it rolling properly and well, diesels are relatively slow to begin with and this problem only makes things worse... (Talk about impatient drivers! This car serves as a trigger-point for road-rage!) Mostly, it stays parked.

If anyone has a link to someone/somewhere regarding trouble-shooting rear hydraulics of early TD’s I would be very appreciative. Also, if anyone has any guesses as to “odd” sorts of front-end peculiarities particular to the TD’s, please let me know… (Oddly enough, the second TD, with the front-end problem also happens to have a completely rebuilt rear hydraulics system and “sits” much lower than the first TD (with troubled hydraulics.)

Finally, if anyone could provide me with a possible explanation and/or a link that could help to explain the “no power” issue with the SD, I would be ecstatic!

I’m looking forward to exchanging ideas, stories and facts with everyone and I hope to stay on for a long time.

Sincerely from Cape Girardeau, Missouri,

Mustapha