Help with my new ride - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fantom71 · #1 01-13-2006, 03:51 PM

Hi all.

I am a proud new owner of a 85 300D (apprently the euro version). The thing runs like a top and is in excellent shape for the year. The problem I am running into is finding parts for it. It seems to be the W124 chasis (according to the VIN) but no site really has any listings for a 85 6 cylinder diesel that is not the turbo edition. I would really appreciate some help identifying this engine so I can get parts like new fuel filters and such since I am unsure how long it has been since they have been changed.

If needed, I can post a picture of the engine to help.

Thanks in advance.

Hatterasguy · #2 01-13-2006, 03:57 PM

Well it should have a na 603 if its a euro 300D.

Post the vin someone here will decode it for you.

I don't know how hard it would be to find parts for a euro 603, most of basic stuff is probably the same as the turbo charged engines.

Diesel Giant · #3 01-13-2006, 04:02 PM

You should not have a problem with getting ANY parts for the car Euro or not.

Stevo · #4 01-13-2006, 04:20 PM

"listings for a 85 6 cylinder diesel that is not the turbo edition"

Your engine is a six or five cyl non turbo?

I have a "85" Euro 240D with the usual 616 engine. The injector pump and blower motor are different, other than that I have found things much the same as my non Euro car. A picture would be great, would love to see it, manual or auto tranny?

fantom71 · #5 01-14-2006, 03:52 PM

Here are the pictures requested. This whole oddessy started when I went to get a replacement for the missing corner light. After getting the one for a 85 300, I right away noticed that it was not the correct one. I then went to the dealship and they said that it was a W124, which is strange because the W124 was introduced in 86 apperantly. After some research, it is now proclaimed an Euro version (which explains the km instead of mi on the spedo). The transmission is a 5 speed manual, and may I state this car is SMOOOOOOTH. What I estimated at 50ish mph, I was clocked at 68 (thanks to the state trooper that just gave me a warning). The VIN is WDB1241301A05XXXX which pulls up a 2001 300 E.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/fantom71/PICT1449.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/fantom71/PICT1450.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/fantom71/PICT1453.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/fantom71/PICT1454.jpg

PS are there any ideas on how to make our US tags fit on the Euro trunk? My plate is too high and hits the part just above the bumper.

Stevo · #6 01-14-2006, 04:55 PM

I'll tell you what, since I'm feeling generous today

I could take that red euro, 5 speed off your hands, where are you? Just kidding, GOOD SCORE!! That is a very nice car and with a 5 spd, a very rare find.

As too the licence plate bracket, I fabricated one out of a piece of aluminum stock that involved drilling an tapping some holes to match car and plate.

Hatterasguy · #7 01-14-2006, 05:15 PM

Ok thats a Euro car. Their is no reason it wouldn't be an 85, the W124 came out in Europe in 1985. Remember they get MB's one year before us.

For ordering parts it is a basic W124, tell the less eduacted parts guys its an 86 when ordering anything for the car. However the good parts guys and dealer should be able to figure it out.

Other then that congrates it looks like a really good example!

I don't know why the vin is wrong, maybe when they imported it they did something funny to get it in this country.

Stevo · #8 01-14-2006, 06:15 PM

"tell the less eduacted parts guys its an 86 when ordering anything for the car."

Thats like ordering parts for my "85" 240D, "Humm..no such thing" My title says 300D, DMV has no listing for a 240 made after "83"

fantom71 · #9 01-14-2006, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the info yall. Now comes the fun stuff.
I am totally new to diesel engines. Until I started reading this forum, I did not realize that it is a totally different methodolgy than a gas engine (I had thought it was just a different fuel with glow plugs to heat the "gas" up before injection, stupid, eh?). I now need to research the whole diesel maintenance topic (I guess you never stop learning eh). To assist me, the engine type is 606, correct? I know it is a 6 cylinder (3 l?). Where would you reccomend ordering parts online? Is there a "online" version of the service manual like there is for the W201? Gosh, I have more questions, but I think I will do my research before this gets out of hand.

Thanks for your help!

Hatterasguy · #10 01-14-2006, 07:12 PM

Ahh yes welcome to 603 school:

You have two fuel filters, a spin on and in line. Both should be changed about once a year along with the air filter.

As for oil use a diesel rated oil, for the 603 OE oil filters seem to be the best.

Coolant should be MB or Zerox and changed every two years.

Check the engine vacuum pump on the front of the engine. If it has four screws in the cover you are golden, if the cover has no screws you should replace it. The short reason is old style pumps can fail destroying the engine. Do a search for the long story.

As far as manuals you can get the CD's right from MB for the US cars. The car itself isn't a big deal a W124 is a W124. A service CD for a US 1986 W124 should be close enough. As for the engine well it should be similer to the US spec turbo charged 603's. However some things like the vac lines and fuel injection system will be different. So maybe a search of ebay will turn a manual up. Or again maybe from MB.

You will pretty much have to order parts online or from the dealer. Regular autoparts stores like Pepboys, Autozone, Napa are useless for these cars.