Need some advice from the Pros please help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Paul W · #1 08-07-2007, 01:06 PM

I am new to the MB world and need some serious advice from people who have years of experience with diesel MBs. History of the car. I was given an 87 300d turbo about 300 miles ago. My father in law bought this car new from the factory and had it shipped back. It has had all service completed by the MB shop on time. All other repairs have also been done by the MB shop. I have all records for everything that was ever done on the car.

Now this is where I need some advice. I have to go to Biloxi for 6 week training course and want to drive the car. I am in Omaha so it will be 1000 plus miles. The car runs and drives like a dream. Every thing works on it as it should. It has 104K on it. After reading the forums for 40+ hours since getting the car I am a little worried about the reliability of it. It has the crap 14 head on it and then I read today about the air pump blowing up. It has the old pump. It has had a new radiator and fan installed and I have replaced any questionable vacuum tubing.

I ordered air, oil, both fuel, and PS filters from Fastlane and will install them before I leave. I got two gallons of Mobil 1 5w40 turbo diesel truck oil to use and some seafoam to do the purge. It has had a new radiator and fan installed.

Would you recommend taking this car on that long of a trip? Are there any thing else I should do before driving? Should I also change the Dino tranny fluid (3 years old with 1500 miles)?

#2 08-07-2007, 01:16 PM

It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about. I would leave the tranny fluid alone. Instead of replacing the fuel filters, I would put them in the trunk along with the required tools to change them if you happen to get some contaminated fuel. Regarding the #14 head, keep an eye on the temperature gauge and don't let it overheat, it will probably run for many 1000s of miles. Check the oil at fuel stops and enjoy your trip.

vstech · #3 08-07-2007, 01:21 PM

if by air pump you mean vacuum pump, then you NEED to get it changed to the new style IMMEDIATELY!! this nice a car deserves perfection. and those bearings fail frequently right after the 100K mark, get one and install it, it only takes a few minutes to change it. DO NOT RISK YOUR CAR on this. 50 mile trip is too much. do it.

Brian Carlton · #4 08-07-2007, 01:28 PM

I agree with John regarding the vacuum pump. The older pump can let go at any time, and, if it does, it can destroy the engine. It's not worth the risk.

With that exception, many of us take these vehicles on a 1000 mile trip on a routine basis. There's really no risk if you've properly maintained the electrical system. The largest risk is the inability to start due to battery/starter/cable issues on an older vehicle.

BTW, there is limited risk of trashing the #14 head if you don't overheat it. Therefore, if you don't know when the belt was last replaced..........I'd do that as well.

jcyuhn · #5 08-07-2007, 01:31 PM

Sounds like a great car. 104K is nothing, this car has more life remaining than most new cars!

The 14-casting heads do fail, but don't go around with the impression they all break. Most '87s still have the 14. Failures generally don't occur until the vicinity of 200K miles. Don't overheat the engine and don't worry about it.

General concensus around here is the original vacuum pump is good for ~150K miles.

I'd take it on the trip in a second. Perhaps start saving up for the vacuum pump replacement, but I wouldn't avoid driving the car at that low mileage.

If you ever decide to sell that thing, you can start a bidding frenzy around here, easily.

- JimY

vstech · #6 08-07-2007, 02:21 PM

depending on where you live, I will open the bidding at 3000.00

Paul W · #7 08-07-2007, 02:36 PM

Thanks for the input. I will order the "vacuum pump" when I get home and try and install it before I leave. I will be staying at an air base with a auto shop I can use so if I have too, I will pray that is makes it there and install it there.

When I got the car I was going through the glove box and it still has all of the tags they hang on new cars, like how to use the AC and stuff. I found a spare key in a plastic sleeve in the glove box that had the paper on it that said something like "never leave this key in the glove box" That is where it spent the last 20 years. LOL I also got the pamphlets they handed out when you took a tour of the factory.

My father in law bought this car and an 85 300d turbo from the factory. There is a real good chance I will get that car in a year or two. That raises the question which one to keep. My wife will only let me have one car at a time and said I would have to choose. Women!

rrgrassi · #8 08-07-2007, 02:53 PM

Keep them both. How many miles on the '85? The '85 is still one of the safest non air bag cars on the road. I trust my 82 300D over a new anything for reliability and safety.

vstech · #9 08-07-2007, 03:03 PM

oooooh, pristine! ok, I will bump my original bid with a reserve of 5K

Paul W · #10 08-07-2007, 03:06 PM

The 85 has around 110K on it. I was out their way a couple of weeks ago and drove it and it drives real nice. I like the look of the 85 a lot better. Has more of the old school look to it with the tire size and round head lights and stuff.

vstech · #11 08-07-2007, 03:34 PM

I do like the 123 series very much... does it show? I have what 6 of them? anyway, the wife wants a 124, so I gots to look for one. yours sounds like it's WAY out of my league as far as value, but IF you were willing to sell.....
anyway, how does it drive? with the a/c on how hot does the temp sit? anywhere near 95 and you need more than radiator being new. that block needs to be very clean as in flushed EVERY two years! if it's not been flushed recently, that you can verify with the records you have, get that at least done before you leave on a trip. when the 14 head gets hot, it looses hardness and fails. enjoy your car, but seriously, if you decide to lose this family heirloom, post it HERE first!

captainmonk · #12 08-07-2007, 05:37 PM

vstech you dont need another car
maybe more acreage
and Paul remember we only talk on here about all the repairs we do
we drive these cars plenty and some just drive and drive and drive
mine got inspected in NH today they said "408000 we'll find something wrong" only replaced the windshield wiper

rrgrassi · #13 08-07-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainmonk

vstech you dont need another car
maybe more acreage
and Paul remember we only talk on here about all the repairs we do
we drive these cars plenty and some just drive and drive and drive
mine got inspected in NH today they said "408000 we'll find something wrong" only replaced the windshield wiper

They did find something wrong...

Paul W · #14 08-08-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

how does it drive? with the a/c on how hot does the temp sit? anywhere near 95 and you need more than radiator being new. that block needs to be very clean as in flushed EVERY two years! if it's not been flushed recently, that you can verify with the records you have, get that at least done before you leave on a trip. when the 14 head gets hot, it looses hardness and fails.

When you say 95 where is that on the gauge? I have not even driven it enough to put any fuel in it yet, or over 55MPH. I live 2 miles from work and with the AC running or not the needle always sets a little below the line that is in between the 80 and 120 even when 98F out side. It does not look scale to me. Is that normal or is it to hot? I looked through the records and it has not been flushed for a while so I will get it down and have it flushed.

vstech · #15 08-08-2007, 09:20 AM

the middle line is 100 in my book. I think that is the limit on that car, if you sit there all the time, you NEED to have your block acid flushed. wait for Brian C to check in on this, he knows what to check on these motors. but IF your temp sensor is reading correctly, I would seriously check the motor out, and do the "citric acid" flush if you use google.com's advanced search with mercedesshop.com as the domain to search, you will find plenty of info on a proper citric acid flush. "super flush" will do in a pinch... but proper citric flush works great. you may need to change your water pump, too. take good care of that family car. it's a nice one.