I just got my first car! A 300D! It has a few problems and i plan to fix them but need some info!

1) All gears work besides "D". It goes into second and low, but not drive!! How can i fix that? I heard it was like a screw or something.

2)The water pump is leaking, how can i check to see if it just needs a new gasket or a new water pump w/o taking it off?

3)Where can i get a chiltons manual on just my model car?

4)I cant start it w/o spraying a little bit of starting fluid in the intake hose.

5)LAST ONE! Is the idle supposed to get rougher when you put it in gear? How do you fix that rough idle?

ANY ANSWERS ARE VERY APPRECIATED!

Lets start with #4 because if you keep starting it with starter fluid there will be no need for the other answers.

Does your glow light work? Whether it does or doesn't the glow system should be checked. Total current flow should be over 80a when first turned on, probably closer to 100a. If its only 40 then you have three glow plugs out. They can all be tested with an ohm meter. They should be around .6 to .8 ohms. This must be done on a low scale. Telling the difference between zero ohms and .6 requires a close look.

If you are glowing properly, I would suspect a fuel leak down problem next and then lastly a compression problem.

As to NUMBER 1: What does it do in "D"? I presume your shift indicator is off due to a shift bushing problem as I doubt that you are driving without 4th gear which is what your question implies.

2: If its the water pump (which it probably is), it will be leaking from the lower vent hole. This hole is visable from the bottom. The whole thing is academic as the price at the MB dealer for a rebuilt pump is $25. It comes with a gasket and it wouldn't be worth changing the gasket and not the pump at that price.

3: Buy a MB CD-Rom from Partsshop!

5: You probably have a motor mount problem. Unless glow plugs aren't the problem with #1.

The Tranny..
 

Well from what i can see it is a 3 speed. It have "L"ow, "S"econd, "D"rive. When i put it in drive it acts as if i were to put it in nuetral. When i put it in second, you can feel it engage. My shop teacher told me he had the exact same type of car as me and the exact same problem and fixed it by tightening a bolt. Is that possible?

Ok thanks! also, how do i check to see if the glow plug is actually working??

Glo Plug light
 

Ya it comes on, it took me about 3 days to realise what it was but i got it. It stays on for about 45 to 50 sec. when the engine is "cold". But if i shut it off and turn on the glo plugs it goes off after like 2-3 sec.. Any other advice?

Low on funds
 

I actually have no idea about what kind of glow plugs i got. Plus there is a couple minor problems about me changing all the plugs. 1)Dont know how to take out the ones in there now. 2)I cant afford the price of 5 new plugs.
Any other suggestions?

Get a pair of good quality walking shoes!

The car
 

Well actually the car was my neighbors. She sold it to me for $100!! but my dad payed for it! but I get like $10 allowence a week so it would take me a long time to get enough $$ to get em. At my Local shop the plugs are like $20 a piece!! Thats outta my rang! But ill live hopefully!