I have a 1990 300D that has no oil pressure at all. My dad was driving the car one day, and he called me to tell me that the engine shut off at highway speeds. I went out to help resucue the car, and found that it would not turn over. After a while, it started to turn over to the point it would idle on its own but with no oil pressure. I pulled the filter with it running, and no oil was being delivered, as well no oil to the cam. There are no external leaks, so I think it must be the pump, oil pressure valve, or the pump drive chain.

I am going to replace the motor with a used one that I have yet to purchase. I am not sure what caused the failure, but was interested in finding out if the oil pump can be pulled and replaced without removing the engine from the car. If it is possible, I was thinking about puting a new pump on it and seeing if the thing will come back to life. If it does not work, I would still be able to put the pump into the used engine.

I noticed the oil pan is not like that of the om617. It does have a side cover though. Is it possible to check anything from that, or am I just wasting my time?

If the engine shut down at highway speed as a result of losing oil pressure it is HIGHLY likely that the engine is toast and you would be wasting your time by replacing the oil pump.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I took off the side cover on the oil pan and found the pump chain in the pan. Anyone have any ideas why the chain would fail? The pump seems to turn fine.

I also found huge amounts of metal flakes in the pan. I suppose it is time for that used engine.

As we go down this road , I am hearing of more failures.
The chain is "rinkey dink" compared to 617 O.P. chains.
The Mantra "Lack of Maintainence" will be the first "Smoke + Mirrors"
approach.
At some future point (Who am I kidding, vehicles out of warranty in
the Decade[s]) I envision the chain + sprocket being declared
"Maintainence Items" by the "Gnomes of Sindelfingen"

Mine quit on the P.O. @ 167,000 miles.

My car had 280,000 when the op chain let go. It ran like new, never leaking or burning any oil. It is a shame, since the chasis is like a new car. I may have found a source for the engine, but if anyone has one I may be interested still. I am in the Atlanta area.

Thanks.

I have a 1987 2.5 Turbo engine w/ about 200Kmi on it. This is similar to your early 90's engine but without the computer controlled boost. I consider it a better engine because there a fewer electronics to go wrong.

Its currently sitting in a parts car I have that is towable (you can buy the entire car) or I can remove the engine.

I'm in Nashville which is pretty "local" for this kind of deal.

Email me at md21722@yahoo.com if interested.

Thanks,

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Brian Toscano