First car - 1985 300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

424studios · #1 10-13-2006, 01:37 PM

Hello everybody. First I want to thank you all for providing so much information. This is an amazing forum. I bought my first car a couple weeks ago, it’s a 1985 300TD with 180K. It was sold in the spring to the guy who I bought it from, and I found the ads for it on this website after I bought it (pictures).
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=128285&highlight=brakes+300td

I’ve been absorbing as much as I can from this forum. The car has a few common problems, but is in pretty good shape overall. The SLS is my favorite part so far, and I’ve learned so much about that. I’ve adjusted the ride height so I know the pump is working, but the car still rides a little low, but one of the accumulators looks like it is leaking.

Yesterday I replaced the rear brake line from the master cylinder (not fun job). Brake pedal feels good now, but car pulls to the left under heavy braking. I might not have gotten all the air out of the system, but could be problem with a caliper. Before I bought the car a shop wanted $1100 to replace all four calipers and rotors! I think that’s a bad diagnosis (had/has pulsating brakes) because the rotors look fine. Brakes need more attention…

Also have been dealing with leaking fuel lines. Opted to splice in rubber hose rather than replace with steel. Something happened yesterday because now the car is shaking at stoplights and seems to hesitate under first acceleration (starved for fuel is my guess). I need to check the clamps on the new fuel hose, then check fuel filters for clogs.

Also have leaking fuel return lines between injectors. The one clear line between two of the injectors seems to be almost pure air and no fuel. I saw bubbles moving in that line after the car shut down. Seems to be air coming in and fuel coming out somewhere near the injectors.

Also have vacuum issues (worse after yesterday). Car would shut down with key until yesterday. Always had issues with door locks not working consistently. Shifting jerks head back since yesterday. Probably bumped vacuum hoses that need to be replaced.

I’m going to try and address the car shaking issues next, hopefully its just a clamp or clogged fuel filter. Then tackle the vacuum issues.

Thanks for all your help, I hope I can help somebody someday. Oh yeah, when the wagon is running smooth, I love it!

Rich

#2 10-13-2006, 01:54 PM

Sweeeeet Car!

mobetta · #3 10-13-2006, 01:55 PM

if the car pulls, look at front brakes.

rotors can be warped without looking it, especially if you have a sticky caliper.

replace fuel inj return lines. i got a meter for $4 from autohauzaz

vacuum lines- you can plug the supply line to the locks under the hood. maybe yellow/green? if you are loosing too much vac, you wont be able to shut off. but also check that you did not unplug a line under hood- very common.

vstech · #4 10-13-2006, 02:51 PM

do you have all three rear headrests?
awesome dashboard free of cracks, nice again.
on the shaking and such, since the fuel line repair, did you perhaps replace the large cigar shaped hose with a smaller diamater hose? if so, put the fat hose back, or order a new one from phil, it will cause the motor to shake something fierce!
www.dieselgiant.com check his fuel hose repair pictorial!
John

rrgrassi · #5 10-13-2006, 02:58 PM

Sounds like you still have air in the lines somewhere. What were the things you did between the engine did not shake to the engine does shake time frame?

Addicted · #6 10-13-2006, 04:35 PM

Small thing but the lines inbetween your injectors should not be clear? If you see air, not a big problem, but definetly is your problem. Well that and if you replaced the cigar hose with something else.

Addicted · #7 10-13-2006, 04:36 PM

Ohh and yes very awesome car. I will trade you dashes

You will have very many memorable miles with this car.

424studios · #8 10-13-2006, 05:00 PM

mobetta- you were right, one of the vacuum hose connectors is shot and it came unplugged, now the car turns off!

vstech- no I don't have all the rear headrests, I am missing the one on the right side. How did you know?

I just ordered new primary fuel filter, fuel hose between injectors, primer pump, and other fuel hose. The hose connecting the steel fuel line to the primary fuel filter is cracked. Hopefully that cures the shaking problems, but now I have to wait for the parts

GREASY_BEAST · #9 10-15-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

on the shaking and such, since the fuel line repair, did you perhaps replace the large cigar shaped hose with a smaller diamater hose? if so, put the fat hose back, or order a new one from phil, it will cause the motor to shake something fierce!
John

sorry for the pseudo-jack... but any particular reason why?