1997 E300 D.....should I buy it?
 

Ok guys need your advise cause I really wanna buy this car! Short history on the car......

There is a wholesale dealership here in KC that has the 1997 E300D. The car has 144k on it. I got the vin and called the local MB dealer and asked them to run. Here is what he said.
1 owner car
Always maintained per factory guidelines
Just did a major service on it...motor mounts, brakes, etc etc
Several other misc items recently done all at the MB dealership.

The car was traded in at the MB dealership for a new CDI and they wholesaled it out to where it is now. The service tech said according to there records the car is fine.....no accidents, etc etc

So here is my PROBLEM that is causing me to hesitate.

Cold starting the car isn't that bad but its more diffucult than an old 85 300TD I used to have. What bothers me is restarting when the car as fully reached its proper operationg temp. It starts right away BUT hesitates and almost dies. Sometimes it does die. Once I press the accelorator and give it some "gas" it's fine. QUESTION: Why is it doing this when it's at it's proper temp?

MERRY CHIRSTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Allan

My 99 E300 did that when the hoses to the shutoff valve were leaking. Any leaks in the fuel system? how are the filters?

It was hard to tell if there was any fuel leaking. The engine had been cleaned throughly!!

Sounds like air is getting into the lines somewhere. On my E300 when she's warm or cold and no air in the lines it turns over perfectly.

When it's cold I just let the glow plugs glow a little longer after the light on the dash goes out and it starts almost instantly.

How much?

Yes, most likely leaking plastic fuel lines or shutoff valve. Take a peek here.

Have someone else start it while you watch for air bubbles in the plastic lines.