looking to by a 300td - some questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hobospeed · #1 11-11-2005, 05:56 PM

Hey Guys,

Looks like a busy forum and lots of good info! I'm looking at getting a diesel wagon. I went to look at one today, a 1981 with ~17000 miles. The body was in pretty good shape with very little rust, only a bit in the wheel arches and none on the rockers. The car seemed to run fine and shift well. The lady who owns it seems to have taken good care of it and has a lot of receipts for work done on the car.

My two big concerns were:

1. When driving the car if I were to rock the wheel back and fourth I could hear a bid of a low growl that would only last about a half a second. I would guess is the power steering. Sound normal? Sound major?

2. There is some water in the car. It's mostly at the passenger’s feet. The car has been parked on the street for a few months with the front facing down hill. It's been raining here quite a bit in the last few weeks. Where would you guys guess this water is coming from? Where are the drains in the rear of the car? Does this sound like a major issue?

Thanks,

Tim

phidauex · #2 11-11-2005, 06:06 PM

I hope you mean 170,000 instead of 17,000.

If you did mean 17,000, buy it no matter what! But even 170,000 is considered 'low mileage' for these cars.

The growl may be low power steering fluid. When you have the hood open you'll see the power steering pump next to the driver's side headlight. It has a round metal lid on top of it, held in place with a wingnut. Open the wingnut (it may be pretty tight if its been there a while), remove the lid, and look at the fluid level inside, it should come within an inch of the lip of the reservoir. If it doesn't, this could be the growl (the pump is sucking air), and its NOT good for the pump. If this is the case, top up with some PS fluid (the manual specifies ATF for the power steering, but IGNORE IT! ATF 24 years ago is different than today, and modern ATF will damage the seals in your pump, just use a basic PS fluid from the auto parts store). If its been that way for a while, the pump may have been prematurely worn, and may need to be replaced eventually, and if the fluid is low, it is low for a reason, and it may have a leak you'll need to hunt down. But neither of these are terrible problems, just things to be aware of.

If the fluid is high and its still making the growling sound... Then you'll need to get some other ideas from people, cause I don't know what else it would be.

The water is a common problem, and can cause terrible rust in hidden places. Lift up some carpet and see whats in there, you may be terribly surprised. If the leak is recent, its probably because the drains in the hood or back aren't clear. Do a search on body drains, and you'll find their locations, there are some under the hood, around the sunroof, and around the hatch. They can get clogged with leaves and overflow into the car. If its a new problem (from sitting in the rainy fall), then its not a big deal. If its done this every year since 1987, then its probably got bad rust problems under the window seals and under the carpeting. Look and see!

Good luck finding a good wagon, us wagon owners are a proud bunch, and we love our cars. I think you will too when you find a good one (this one may be, from the sound of it).

peace,
sam

WannaWagon · #3 11-11-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

Good luck finding a good wagon, us wagon owners are a proud bunch, and we love our cars. I think you will too when you find a good one (this one may be, from the sound of it).

peace,
sam

Ditto that. I can't help much on these specific questions, but feel free to ask more if you have them. It would be wise to find a good independent shop to inspect the car before you buy, including a compression test. Keep in mind that broke odometers are a problem on some of these cars, so look for ways to verify the mileage (paper trail, compression test, etc.).

How much are they asking for the car?

JimmyL · #4 11-11-2005, 07:50 PM

Hey Tim,
Sounds like a pretty decent wagon, but listen. Why settle for something less than will make you happy. It will be difficult, but really keep your eyes open for that rare breed: the non-turbo that smokes like it is on fire! They don't come around often, so when they do you need to be ready to pounce!

JDmills · #5 11-11-2005, 08:35 PM

I have had some water in my 300TDT... As the rear side glass seals are about done..... but that seems to keep the water in the rear seat foot space (under the front passinger seat)

So If it is water under the front passinger's foot area, I believe that water may be comming from the windshield/firewall area.

Take your time and nose around under the floormats.... as the sound proofing materal may hide any rust underneath.. Mechanical issues are a breeze when compared to repairing rusted body parts!!

If you bring it home and still cannot find the leak, try a automatic car wash... I was taking on water at a frantic pace... glad it was only the 'short' cycle.

JimmyL · #6 11-11-2005, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDmills

I have had some water in my 300TDT... As the rear side glass seals are about done..... but that seems to keep the water in the rear seat foot space (under the front passinger seat)

I have 2 inches of water in my drivers side backseat floorboard area. The whole footwell area is full of water. It is only in that one spot, and I cannot figure out the leak.
Since it has only rained twice since June I haven't done a whole lot of investigating...

t walgamuth · #7 11-12-2005, 07:21 AM

could be blocked sunroof drains. there is a little gutter up there with a drain down through maybe the windshild pillar cant remember for sure. but the drain if blocked will allow the little gutter to run over into the car.

otherwise as noted above, windshild seal, and heater outside air intake box can leak too and hood spring well too. prob other places too.

lift the mats around the base of the front seats, if it rusts there and it likes to the seats will eventually begin to sink through the floor. that is fixable but it is a pita.

tom w

JDmills · #8 11-12-2005, 08:07 AM

Oh yeah, I dont have a sunroof....

Two inches of water. That is a sizable leak. Try the automatic car wash, with all the floormats, and rear seat cushins removed... bring a good flashlight along and try and spot where it is comming in from...

Were do the sunroof's leak from if the drain is plugged? does it leak down the interor, or does it just appear at the near the floorpans?

dmorrison · #9 11-12-2005, 12:56 PM

as everyone has pointed out. Leaks are something you don't want to be a long term continuous problem. If it has been going on for a while you could have some major rust and that can be a problem.

Sunroof, if installed, open it and look into the roof area for clean painted sheet metal. if it is dirty or rusted this is a potential site.
Windshield gasket. make sure the seal is good. rust under the windshield lip can be a pain.
Battery tray. Under the battery tray, the car can rust through. This is another potential leak area.
Door seals. Look at the rubber door seals on the doors. If the top section is gone or torn away. A leak potential.

When you say there some rust on the car. thats only the rust you see. Cars have rust that is invisible long before it bubbles up to the surface. get under the car and really look. where is the car located. that will determine the road conditions it lived in and potential rust. My car has lived in Texas and Oklahoma all its life, No rust ( that I know of

and I 've been all over the car) My daughters 240D lived in Texas its whole life, one small spot of rust under the battery tray. Fixed with POR-15. So even in a no salt area you can develop rust. Hers was due to cheap batteries.

The noise while steering. check what has been mentioned above with the power steering pump. If low then WHY. Look for a leak. If full then have someone move the steering wheel back a forth while listening in the engine compartment. If it occurs only while driving it could be a suspension problem. Brake support mounts do groan or pop when going bad. They are just to the left of your feet while driving.

Good luck with the car.

Dave