Mccan,

A friend and I just picked up an exquisite 1980 300SD in San Francisco as a project. It allegedly had a bad engine and wouldn't start. To make a long story short,I adjusted the valves, replaced a leaking hand pump, and replaced a clogged fuel filter. The car ran great except for the nailing in /#2 cylinder.

I've been a professional MB mechanic for 30 years, and my first inclination would be to install rebuilt injectors. My partner who grew up as a farmer from the midwest,I say that because I can't spell Missouri, said he'd just take em apart and clean em. Well the nailing is gone. I now have to agree. You can disassemble the nozzles and clean all the crud that makes them hang up. I offer a couple of tips: don't forget to clean the tiny holes in the pintle, and torque on assembly. Cracking pressure is determined by little washers in the injector. Do not lose them in the process.

Good luck,
Peter

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