I just bought a 1987 300D with 135,000 miles in great overall shape. I have never owned a Diesel or a Mercedes so I would really appreciate some advice on few things I have encountered.

1) First off, it shifts very hard from 1st-2nd, and 2nd to third if I am going slow but not if I hold the gas down. Is this normal? Would a tranny flush help?

2) In colder temps (50F or lower) the car is very hard to start and I end up holding the key in the start position as it turns over and over 5-10 times before it will hold an idle. Is this normal?

3) During the cold start the car shoots out a big cloud of black smoke and then white smoke until it warms up to around 60F. Is this normal?

4) why are diesel prices so high lately?

Thanks so much for any advice in advance.

problems sound like they could be vac related. changing fluid and filter is always a good idea on a newly aquired benz.

the starting stuff sounds as if your glow plugs arent working at all or maybe three are out. (hard start plus smoke and running rough at first).

and if i knew why diesel was so high, instead of sitting here in my underwear typing and staring blankly at my computer i would be in the carribbean on my large yacht drinking something with a little umbrella in it while a lovely young skantily clad woman fans me.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Welcome to the '87 300D owners love and hate world. Love them when they run, hate them when they need $omething
I hope you'll love the car and fix it as it needs fixing because these are a particularly fine example of German automotive engineering. The 124 cars run and handle very well and were made prior to what is viewed as a reduction in quality by MB on some levels.
Some questions, first: Did you get a mechanic to check over the car prior to buying it? Do you have any service or maintenance records?
Does the engine still have the trap oxidizer on it? (a picture is worth a thousand words)
One thing I recommend is the vacuum pump should be upgraded to the new style, if the old one is present. The old ones have been known to destroy an engine when/if they self destruct.
If there are vacuum leaks it will reduce the vacuum level and that always affects trans shifting making it shift hard.
You should not have a starting problem unless its very cold (sub freezing even it should start without a long delay) one or more glow plugs may be dead.
You should start using a synthetic oil, Mobil 1 is a favorite around here, I like AMSOIL diesel HD 15W40.
A little black smoke is normal at start up but not going down the road. If you still have a trap oxidizer on the exhaust it is probably plugged up and causing black smoke and poor acceleration. It won't however cause white smoke that is a bad sign.
What does the white smoke smell like? If you smell antifreeze in the vicinity of the exhuast pipe you most likely have a cracked head or possibly a leaking head gasket. Be prepared to spend some $$ to fix it if thats the case!
This engine, the OM603 is susceptible to damage if overheated so the cooling system should be in top condition meaning the radiator, water pump, thermo clutch (on the engine fan), electrical fan and thermoswitch should all be in good order. You can find reference to all these items here by using the search feature to download past discussions, how-to's, part numbers, etc.
GOOD LUCK and post a picture of the car and engine if possible!

__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Thanks a lot guys. I will look into these things and get back to you.