82 300sd big probs

[rbullard]

just bought it ...test drove it for an hour no probs...drove it home then to office..noticed some surging when accelerating 60-70, other wise ok. This morning started but with white smoke (for the first time) then disappeared after 20 seconds...engine sounded real rough...new noise cant discribe...put car in gear, and wouldnt accelerate..wouldnt even rev properly felt restricted.

parked her and having it towed 8 am ...only 100k on it not a scratch dent or tear....like the one owner drove it in bubble wrap...

...my first diesel and feel like the lamb to the slaughter..

help!!!

robert bullard toronto

[Hatterasguy]

Change the fuel filters and report back.

Whenever I buy a new car I change all the fluids and filters to get a baseline.

[Brian Carlton]

First thing to do when such a thing happens is to change both fuel filters and see if this makes the difference.


Edited: I taught the guy above me everything I know and now he types faster than I do as well.


Welcome to the forum, BTW.

[rbullard]

guys ....thanks ...forgot to mention/shifting is hard like a shift kit was installed...know that is impossible...some times it short shifts also hard..

ur filter observation is comforting,,, was thinking i just made the worst car decision to date ...and i ve made some butes...appears i have some studying to do thanks..
rb

[Brian Carlton]

The hard shifts are caused by a vacuum leak somewhere. If the trans gets no vacuum, it will shift and jar your teeth.

Use the search function and spend some time learning the vacuum system. You will need to get a Mityvac to properly chase the vacuum issues with these engines. We all have them at one time or another.

[rbullard]

guys thanks appreciate it will check the site ....

robert

[barry123400]

Did you put any fuel in car on drive home and if so was it diesel or gas? If you had an attendent put fuel in it may have been gas even if diesel requested. Happens to my kids once in awhile even though I tell them to always fuel their own car when buying diesel. They never seem to really learn but perhaps it's because dad lands up dealing with the aftermath. The only reason I mention is you stated car was in awfully good condition and your problem came on so fast. Just a random thought. Remove your cap and smell if it's a possibility at all. How far was it from place of purchase to home?

[DieselJim]

Good luck with the car. Fuel filters and vacuum will hopefully fix. The other guy is right about gas. I went to fill up and one day the gas attendant came running out to make sure I was sane. Of course you can't get a diesel snout in a gas car but you can get a gas filler in a diesel so be careful

[JimmyL]

Good grief,
I remember attendents who would pump your gas, but that ended in the late 60's and 70's around here.
The good ole days....

Welcome, by the way. Misery loves company!!

[barry123400]

Your right most trips away I have no option but to fill my car. Around here is still about 50-50 self service and full service with some places being your choice.

[rbullard]

filled it myself .....100 percent ....arab diesel fuel

thanks again

[Fisherman]

We have continually voted down self serve and I hope we continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Until recently our prices were not so bad but right now diesel here is in the 2.60 range...

[JimmyL]

Originally Posted by Fisherman

We have continually voted down self serve and I hope we continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Until recently our prices were not so bad but right now diesel here is in the 2.60 range...

"Voted down" ? You mean you can't pump your own fuel. (I said fuel and not gas, as 'you know' who would have felt compelled to correct such a mis-statement.

[rdsw]

Rbullard-

When I got my 1984 300SD a couple of years ago, It hard-shifted too. I took it to a local MB dealer (Smith Motor Sales in Haverhill, MA), spent some time talking to the service writer, and for about $250 had them go through the car and make a punch list of work that needed to be done. I also asked them to look at the tranny and see if they could get rid of the hard shifting.

For my $250 they made the list, and got rid of the hard shifting.I assume they adjusted the vacuum system in some way.

Might be worth it just to get a baseline on what's needed, and how much it might cost.

[Hatterasguy]

When I first got my car it would bang into every gear. I had a vacuum leak and the tranny wasn't getting any. Get used to vacuum leaks these cars have a bunch of them.

A Mityvac is as important as a spare tire with these old cars, get one.