85 300D CA version Buying advise - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 05-03-2007, 09:12 PM

Hi, All... checking out an 85 300D CA Ver with 170k. Noticed lots of oil around intake hose coming from air cleaner to intake and down the overflow tube going to the oil pan. Owner also says drips oil. Can't tell how much though cuz theres carboard placed under car that absorbs the oil.

Best I could tell everything works except a/c and maybe some adjustments to one rear window mount since it shakes a bit when it goes up. Some rust around one rear wheel well.

Can you share your opinions on above symptoms and pricing? Thanks

p.s. Will the CA engine take the FED air cleaner bracket? Is it better to leave the CA set up alone?

bgkast · #2 05-03-2007, 09:20 PM

I just bought one for $750 with bad paint, no rust, no oil leaks and similar issues.

Check the blow by. The cali cars do not have an oil seperator so if there is alot of oily blow by it goes straight to the intake and air filter. The turbo oil drain could also be leaking.

tobybul · #3 05-03-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

I just bought one for $750 with bad paint, no rust, no oil leaks and similar issues.

Check the blow by. The cali cars do not have an oil seperator so if there is alot of oily blow by it goes straight to the intake and air filter. The turbo oil drain could also be leaking.

Thanks, BG. I shoulda thought about the blowby. Forgot all about it. These folks are asking $3500

. When you start that high, its tough to offer less than $1k

Whats the solution to the oily situation?

bgkast · #4 05-03-2007, 11:23 PM

Clean everything and see if it is a bad seal. I would be wary if it has a lot of blow by, but mine has 6k more miles and has almost none. I plan to rig up a oil separator when I have some more time.

#5 05-03-2007, 11:25 PM

Avoid them and look for a federal version.

bgkast · #6 05-03-2007, 11:36 PM

While being more much more complex than my 240/turbo Franken-car with no emissions equipment, cruise control, power anything, AC, etc... I have not found it too hard to work on. I may eventually remove the trap ox and replace it with a bypass pipe, or put federal manifolds on it, but I don't think the emissions stuff is any reason to avoid them. A '85 federal will still have the ARV, EGR, blue saucer for shifting, etc...the only thing it won't have is the Trap ox and higher mounted turbo.

#7 05-03-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

the only thing it won't have is the Trap ox and higher mounted turbo.

Increasing all other emissions (NOx, HC, CO, CO2) for the sake of looking cleaner out the tailpipe is reason enough to avoid them.

The reduced power, economy and longevity are even better reasons.

tobybul · #8 05-04-2007, 07:23 AM

Sounds like its not physically possible to convert a CA emissions to FED emissions on an 85 300D??? Too many emissions parts to fiddle with???

tobybul · #9 05-04-2007, 10:27 AM

Lance, sounds like you are not a big fan of the CA versions. Can you fill me in on the pros and cons of these cars please.... or anyone?

vstech · #10 05-04-2007, 10:39 AM

it is certainly possible to convert a CA to Federal, but it would require a donor car to swap parts from, and I mean CAR to get the parts from, not just an air cleaner! everything on the passenger side of the motor needs to be swapped! including the tailpipe!
John
the best of the 85's is the Euro! I love mine. so simple down there!
No EGR at all!
John

theo3000 · #11 05-04-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Avoid them and look for a federal version.

I'm happy with mine.

tobybul · #12 05-04-2007, 12:36 PM

ok, help me out here CA version owners. Do they require more maintenance under the hood? Everything else seems to be the same. What should I be checking when shopping for one

As mentioned above, should I be concerned about the evidence of oil between the air cleaner and the intake man area and down along the tube to the pan? Is the exhaust system totally diff from a FED?

vstech · #13 05-04-2007, 12:39 PM

ok, here is a simple reason to avoid... the air filter costs 150.00... not the sheetmetal, the paper element. nobody makes one, you have to order it... add that in to the poorer longevity of the motor due to whatever, the extra egr stuff, the trap ox, the etc... just avoid it.
John

bgkast · #14 05-04-2007, 01:02 PM

There is no extra EGR stuff, just the same EGR as a federal engine. If you were to replace the exhaust manifold and intake manifond, air cleaner and down pipe it would be the same as a federal engine.

It seems like I have seen a bypass pipe that replaces the trap ox too. You could instal that and the engine would run the same as a federal engine.

DeliveryValve · #15 05-04-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

.... Is the exhaust system totally diff from a FED?

Just the "Flex" down pipe is different. Fed manifold should bolt right up with the same turbo, but I think you'll need different oil drains. You'll need a air cleaner bracket, and a filter box from a '84 300d california version or '85 300d federal version.

Check out this wikka link.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OM617CalToFed

It shows the conversion, less the factory air box.