Diesel newbie 83 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gmask · #1 12-06-2005, 02:22 PM

Okay so as you might know I just got these 300SD. I've never had a diesel and have only worked on my carbureted 72 250.

At any rate .. this car needs some tweaking.. in general what are things I need to check out or could easily replace under the hood?

Should I just go ahead and replace the glow plugs, Injectors?

Are there any third part manuals for this car that you'd reccomend?

boneheaddoctor · #2 12-06-2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmask

Okay so as you might know I just got these 300SD. I've never had a diesel and have only worked on my carbureted 72 250.

At any rate .. this car needs some tweaking.. in general what are things I need to check out or could easily replace under the hood?

Should I just go ahead and replace the glow plugs, Injectors?

Are there any third part manuals for this car that you'd reccomend?

do not replace injectors without good reason...the new nozzles are of poor quality....glowplugs can be checked and replaced if needed.

gmask · #3 12-06-2005, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

do not replace injectors without good reason...the new nozzles are of poor quality....glowplugs can be checked and replaced if needed.

Okay.. how do you check the glow plugs???

This morning the car seemed to take a bit longer than I'd want for it to start.

I'm considering these books..
http://www.**************.com/store/search.php?keyword=DTG-COMDES

http://www.**************.com/store/item.php?item=Diesel%20Performance%20Tuning%20and%20Repair

boneheaddoctor · #4 12-06-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmask

Okay.. how do you check the glow plugs???

This morning the car seemed to take a bit longer than I'd want for it to start.

I'm considering these books..
http://www.**************.com/store/search.php?keyword=DTG-COMDES

http://www.**************.com/store/item.php?item=Diesel%20Performance%20Tuning%20and%20Repair

read this hread....http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=104547&highlight=testing+glow+plugs

its not that hard but you do need a multimeter.

gmask · #5 12-06-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

read this hread....http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=104547&highlight=testing+glow+plugs

its not that hard but you do need a multimeter.

Cool.. I have multiple multi-meters

Anything else I could check out right away??

boneheaddoctor · #6 12-06-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmask

Cool.. I have multiple multi-meters

Anything else I could check out right away??

valve adjustment....since you likely do not know when it was last done...

then fluid changes and flush the Power steering and use power steering fliud not trans fluid. more in the interests of establishing a baseline as to your knowing how long the stuff has been in there

oh..and pull all four wheels and check how much pad wear you have on all four brakes.....so you know if its due or not. other than that don't fix whats not broke.

gmask · #7 12-06-2005, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

valve adjustment....since you likely do not know when it was last done...

then fluid changes and flush the Power steering and use power steering fliud not trans fluid. more in the interests of establishing a baseline as to your knowing how long the stuff has been in there

Yeah based on the service records I have it has not been done for at least several years.

It has had regular oil changes.. I don't recall anything about the power steering.

boneheaddoctor · #8 12-06-2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmask

Yeah based on the service records I have it has not been done for at least several years.

It has had regular oil changes.. I don't recall anything about the power steering.

just remember power steering fluid not trans fluid...put trans fluid in them and it WILL leak....I changed mine 2 weeks ago....looked like coffee...flushed and new filter....way overdue in my mind. as soon as I get a 14mm allen socket I will chang my differential oil.

boneheaddoctor · #9 12-06-2005, 03:00 PM

oh...and check your front suspension over well....so you know if its got worn parts that need replacing....this is imperative as a safety measure. But likely the inspection Nazis in LA would have found problems there....but assume nothing.

gmask · #10 12-06-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

But likely the inspection Nazis in LA would have found problems there....but assume nothing.

Inspection Nazi's???? it's good thing they haven't seen my other car!!!

boneheaddoctor · #11 12-06-2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmask

Inspection Nazi's???? it's good thing they haven't seen my other car!!!

try doing an engine swap thats emmissions legal in the rest of the country....and see what I mean.

gmask · #12 12-06-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

try doing an engine swap thats emmissions legal in the rest of the country....and see what I mean.

Fortunately CA does not require emissions for diesels.. although I hear this might change for newer cars.

Oh yea the brakes are kind of loud .. the discs look good through the rims but I will try to take off the wheels this weekend and take a look at the pads.

boneheaddoctor · #13 12-06-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmask

Fortunately CA does not require emissions for diesels.. although I hear this might change for newer cars.

Oh yea the brakes are kind of loud .. the discs look good through the rims but I will try to take off the wheels this weekend and take a look at the pads.

I was meaning gassers actually....Try to do a B16 swap in a honda and get it legal in CA...we have rough inspections here but if it passes emissions they don't care what it is...unlike CA.

check both sides not just one side.....left AND right side of car....look for uneven wear on pad sets and between left and right sides....

#14 12-06-2005, 07:38 PM

And check for loose bolts while you are up there/under there.

...hehe