Originally Posted by Pete Burton

Forget the eurolights and spend more time enjoying the view from the rear seat.

Originally Posted by 1985 300SD Sady

Ok, I really need some help from my fellow diesel heads.

FYI-

I am about to turn 17 (on wednesday)

I only have $85.

Because of the severe length of this thread I have included an overview at the end.

There are several things that need to be done, and some I would really like to be done... tell me what order you think I should do the following in. (all involving my car)

I need to ship an old tachometer (did not work, seller replaced and a never gave him this broken one back yet) back to the seller. This will probably cost $10-$15, but he said he needed it before he leaves in july.

I am having some starting issues with my car, and I may need to buy something soon. See this thread. I will get a load test done tomorrow, but should I save some of my money in case? I will also want to upgrade the alternator soon which would cost about 100$ + associated wiring and shipping.

I have some fairly bad oil and transmission fluid leaks. (several small spots wherever I park) I have been checking the levels religously and have not noticed any decrease. There are no drips while running which stumps me a bit. I have decided that I probably should go back and replace several gaskets etc. This would also envolve removing at least some of the oil, and tranny fluid. Without new fluids this would set me back about $90 (which I dont even have) This would include new shutoff valve gaskets, new IP gaskets, new oil filter housing gaskets, new turbo drain gaskets and o-rings, new valve cover gasket, new lower pan gasket, a new transmission filter, a new tranny pan gasket and all new belts (which probably should have been replaced some time ago.) Do I have to buy new tranny fluid if it is still blood red, does not smell burnt or bad at all, I drain it into a new clean pan and filter it before putting it back into my car?

Also, some hack (me about a year ago who only knew about these cars what he saw on ebay because he had not yet found this wonderful website) has put on a K&N style air filter, which means my stock one is not there. (I had to tear apart the stock one to get the catch can.) A good used air filter housing and associated parts would cost about 25-35$ plus shipping. The new element would be included in the previous parts order list (included in the $90)

Also, a while back I thought I was to the point I could begin to work on more cosmetic things so I bought a new hood pad. I need to buy the adhesive and do that, which would cost about $16. (I can only find it one place local)

I would really really like to make my a/c work again, and my compressor is not seized. This would probably involve all new o-rings, a new reciever/dryer, a new expansion valve, a good vacuuming, oil, and some R-12. This could get pricey quickly because I dont have a vacuum, or a manifold gauge set. Nor do I have a license to buy R-12. It has been converted to R-134a, but I would want to put it back. Am I skipping over anything? I think after the parts (alone would probably cost at least $100) I would still have to pay a friend at the shop some money to vacuum it, add oil, and add R-12... how much?

Also, because of my birthday my parents would like to get me something, but dont really ( I think ) just want to buy me a bunch of car parts. I told them about the nice EURO headlights I saw on ebay HERE And I think they would get those for me if that is what I told them I wanted... and it is, but Im not sure if that is what I need at the moment... help me decide.

OVERVIEW What do I do?

Send the tachometer back to the seller now (which I need to do eventually) Cost = $10-$15

Save my money and make sure that my starting system is ok, or buy and put together a new alternator upgrade. Cost = Unknown, but more than I have.

Solve my leaks? Cost = about $90 plus fluids (if I need to replace?)

Buy a stock air cleaner housing and air filter element? Cost = $40 plus shipping

Buy special hoodpad adhesive? Cost = $16

Get the a/c working Cost = Probably >$200

Have my parents get me car parts, EURO headlights, or something else?

What order do these come in? Please help me decide.

Also, sorry for the long read and thanks so much if you read through it all!

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Fix what is needed to make the car get you around first. Brakes, driveline, engine, suspension.

Then move onto nice to have things like AC, stereo ect.

Lowest on ths list should be cosmetic details like Euro lights, wheels, paint, ect.

Originally Posted by mplafleur

AC? What's that?I don't remember the last time I had working AC.

Originally Posted by 1985 300SD Sady

you live in michigan.

Originally Posted by tstarr

Welcome to the dieselhead community and experience with these incredible, quirky, anachronistic, frustrating, and thoroughly enjoyable cars!

I agree with the group here in concentrating on mechanicals first. The oil leaks will likely never leave you with these cars. There are just too many opportunities for them to leak. Keeping up with it would be a full-time job. Having said that, if it's the transmission gasket, that should be an easy fix and should be done.

On the A/C, I usually end up letting the calendar take care of my A/C for me. It's usually much better by September. I used to joke that I had 2 Mercedes - one for summer and one for winter. In other words, the A/C worked in one but the heater didn't, and the other one had the working heater and the A/C didn't work.

Seriously, I would have an A/C shop at least check it out so you know what the issue(s) is with it. If the problem is an evaporator core leak, this is a major job and could take literally days to accomplish. Either way, you'll have knowledge of how much is involved in getting it functional.

It's great to see young ones taking on these cars. My son drove my 82 300SD until his mom bought him a newer vehicle. He could work on the SD and doesn't know where to start with the Blazer. And he actually misses the 24 year old diesel that leaks oil, has no A/C, and requires occasional valve adjustments, air filter mount replacements, monovalve insert every 2 years, and such. There's nothing like riding behind the Tri-Star.

- Ted

PS - This site is a treasure trove of ideas and people to consult. I would also recommend, when you have some dough, purchase of the Service CD. I have used mine more than I ever would have thought.