I finally got to visit the "dead" diesel.
It is, indeed, a 1990 300D, W124 chasis 5 cyl, turbo motor. ( Car is immaculate!)
After giving the battery a boost, we were able to get it to fire up. It ran relatively smoothly, but with a horrible screeching noise. A neighbor had removed the belts, so no accessories were turning. The screeching noise was internal. There was no oil pressure indicated on the dash oil pressure gauge. Oil level was a half quart low, but no visible debris on the dip stick.
My guess is that the noise is from dry crank, and rod bearings. Anyone been inside one of these after the oil pump chain broke? At least thats the working theory right now. I suggested he pull the engine and drop the pan and look at whats there.
What, beside the presumed broken oil pump chain, is he likely to find? If the bearings are toast, is it likely that the crankshaft needs to be turned, or are they generally not salvageable. How about pistons and cylinder walls?
Any other comments, suggestions are certainly welcome.
Thanks.