I was tempted to look at a 1982 300SD Turbo, 156K - asking $2200... but got scared off afer I spoke with the owner on the phone...

He said that the car is dieseling sometimes for few minutes but the worst news of all was that it's burning oil: his wife drives the car on daily basis (she inherited the car from her dad) and she has to add about 1 quart of oil per month to keep it full...

No idea really, but I'm guessing that oil burning probably means an engine rebuild or a turbo re-build to sort out?!

What do ya say?

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

If she is only adding a quart of oil a month she really needs to get out of the house more and drive the wheels off of that car.

Is it normal for these cars to burn this much oil and still be reliable!? 156K doesn't sound like a lot of miles... so why the oil consumption?!

What's the typical cause for oil consumption in these cars and if need be what does it typically cost to eliminate it?

THanks in advance -
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Is it actually coming out the tail pipe?
Or dripping from the motor?
Mine drips; and I add a quart in 6 months of daily driving.
Gotta get under there and tighten stuff....

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Using a quart of oil a month is a meaningless measure, as you have no idea as to how many miles she puts on the car in a month.
What weight oil are they using anyway?
I had what I thought was excessive consumption, until I realized that the tube coming from the airfilter (pvc device) was not sitting in the drain tube...the oil was actually being sucked out.

This warrants further investigation.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D