So I got this car a month or so ago and last night determined that it leaks coolant, auto tranny fluid, vacuum, engine oil, refridgerant and perhaps diesel fuel. I can't tell yet if the pinion is leaking or there if is fuel or something else back there but All I can say is "Phew!" thank goodness the power steering appears tight, the battery seems to hold a charge, and the tires hold air.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

And you paid how much for it? Other than the autotrans, the rest of it can be fixed without spending too much $, just time.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

$1000 for the car...fastlane and similar vendor's prices for the oil cooler hoses, gaskets, motor mounts, tranny mounts, antennae gasket (replaced that already and pretty proud of it as a matter of fact) engine shocks, fuel filters, diesel purge, oil filter, air filter....Allof these things will soon be installed/used....I'm still feeling pretty good about the purchase price....lots of areas prone to rust are without rust. I bought it as an expirament.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Yep old European cars like to leak! When I got mine it leaked everything from everywhere. Except oil thats about all that wasn't leaking. Now I am down to just a small and annoying coolant leak.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

"if the pinion is leaking or there if is fuel or something else back there "

Sounds like your work is all cut out. That leak back aft could be the old fuel hoses, supply line on the pass side and return and vent on the driver side. They are designed to drip right on your axle boots. If you do the supply line you can reuse the barbed fitting on the tank end, just cut off the "clamping" brass and buy new hose, 8mm, I think. This is how it is on my 240Ds but I think yours is smiler.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

The title of this thread led me to believe you'd be discussing a stay in the Betty Ford Clinic...I'm disappointed.

Maybe he just did not want to go into detail. I see they have him working on a Benz for therapy. Hopefully, that won't cause a return visit!

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

well and update from the clinic.....er garage.....I have just about everything I think I need to put the car back together to the extent that I should be able to run it. So....once I install the alternator, radiator/shroud/fan, coolant lines oil cooler, battery, vac. control valve, and air cleaner I should be readt to start 'er up.....I'll post my progress in another month (hic) or so.....

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

rob, you still want that oil cooler? steve 83sd

Hi Steve, I PM'd the details but I believe I am set for now. Sorry I didn't get back to you. Kind regards, Rob M

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Hattie, did you ever get the tranny leak taken care of? If so, how long did it take and hwo difficult was it once the tranny was out? I need to drop my trans to replace my rear crank seal. You can PM me if you''d like.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Regarding the leaking fuel - most likely its one or all three of the rubber lines in the back end. Very easy replacements. Both of the old Mercedes I have puchased have had these lines weeping fuel - it is common with the age. Two of the lines are simply fuel line, the other one is is a fitted line that comes out of the tank.

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

I have a hard line leaking mid-way back. It's located right where the rubber block is that holds the 3 lines to the body. I've heard it's a common place fo the brake and fuel lines to leak.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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