Introduction - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sknaffl · #1 02-08-2008, 10:04 PM

Just wanted to say hello...and I'm glad I found this site. I'm picking up an '83 300D Turbo, Euro model tomorrow which will be my first MB. Being a SAAB enthusiast for many years, and having owned and restored more than a few, I've been wanting to get into the MB Diesel world to try something different...possibly a bio conversion. After digging around in this site for the last couple of hours, I see you MB guys are just as nuts about your cars as us SAAB guys...I'm sure I will be soon to follow.

Anyway....I'm getting it for a good deal, but it's got a few issues:

1. Seller thinks the headgasket is blown...but after searching posts on here, I think I will have some investigating to do first before that can be verified

2. No A/c

3. Power Windows are finnicky/non functional

4. Beginnings of a rust bubble under the rear window...otherwise body is in GREAT shape.

5. Cracked dash

6. Funky Electricals with the gauges.

7. Has to be turned off manually.

The car looks great and it's got the cool euro halogen headlights....the guy is asking $800...I'm gonna see if I can low ball him to $500...but I'm prepared to pay the $800.

I'll post some pics as soon as I have her in the driveway!

BoomInTheTrunk · #2 02-08-2008, 10:13 PM

well power windows are the easy thing to trouble shoot, replace the fuse even if it looks good. take off the door panels and hot wire the motors and see if they work if they do then the switches can either be replaced or try to open them up and fix them.

The gauges could just have a loose ground, if its the fuel gauge then the sending unit might need to be cleaned or replaced. check the ground first.

The turning off the engine is due to a vacuum issue. most likely it is from the interior door lock system. In the engine compartment there is a line that goes into the interior right next to the brake booster, it has a small diaphragm that has one line turn into two. unplug that diaphragm and plug it and see if the problem gets solved if it does then the problem is in the interior.

sknaffl · #3 02-08-2008, 10:17 PM

Yeah...I figured I would need to start taking things apart to check for the simple stuff...I hear one of the motors in the windows working...but it sounds like it is just spinning. I'll need to have a look.

I'm good with a wrench, but am really unfamiliar with MB technology...I'll have a lot of learning to do. Anyone recommend a good manual?

BoomInTheTrunk · #4 02-08-2008, 10:24 PM

mercedes sells a cd manual for our cars and its real cheap like 20 dollars other members have it. I would give you a link but cant find it right now.

sknaffl · #5 02-10-2008, 04:43 PM

Well...here she is...the $600 300DT. Body is great, interior is good, I'm 99.9% sure the headgasket is blown, and I have a LOT of electrical gremlins to work out.

For some reason, the turn signals don't work..I've tinkered with the hazard button, and changed the fuse... but nothing. I'm thinking the relay? Also, I don't know if I have a bad ground or what..but the windshield wipers seem to come on whenever I engage a switch...ie..when I adjust the mirror, the windshield wipers come on...only one swipe though...it's weird.

The steering is very vague...lots of play in the wheel, seems to be coming from the steering box...but no funny noises...it rides and floats like a cruise ship...is that normal?...or am I just used to my Saab. I really like the fact that it feels so heavy and solid.

I'll probably start pulling the head this week and start digging and learning...any good online source for parts?

BoomInTheTrunk · #6 02-10-2008, 04:58 PM

The play in the steering could be many things hopefully its not the steering box because they are pricey. check for any play in the front suspension. The steering damper(shock) might be the problem with all that play. You will luck out if that is the case because it only costs about 20 dollars. so check up on the steering damper. if all else falls there is a adjustment bolt on the side of the steering box that you can adjust to get some of the play out but before you go do that make sure the problem doesn't lye somewhere else in the front end. that bolt can only go so far and then you can run into problems.

toomany MBZ · #7 02-10-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sknaffl

Anyone recommend a good manual?

mbusa.com a bit convoluted, but that's where you get 'em.
Parts source at above tab, buy parts.
On mine, the adjustment screw is on the top of the steering box, loosen lock nut, turn allen screw ccw to tighten, but if you go too far, you will not have the full turning radius.

t walgamuth · #8 02-10-2008, 05:36 PM

Looks pretty decent. The head gasket is something which tends to go on the turbodiesels around 250 to 300K miles. I have always tended to do a valve job while at it, etc.

Cam chain guides, vac pump rebuild check oil pump and its drive chain.

Usually the bottom end at that mileage is not worn enough to touch anything.

Good luck.

Tom W

sknaffl · #9 02-10-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

Parts source at above tab, buy parts.

I just realized this a shop forum on a parts website...duh...looks like pricing is fairly reasonable on the few things I've looked at so far. We've got a pull-a-part here in Knox, I checked their inventory online and they've got a couple of 240D's...maybe I can start building my spare parts bin from there.

I picked up a Haynes manual yesterday...just to start getting in idea...but typically Haynes are crap...I'll grab the MB manual.

sknaffl · #10 02-10-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Looks pretty decent. The head gasket is something which tends to go on the turbodiesels around 250 to 300K miles. I have always tended to do a valve job while at it, etc.

Cam chain guides, vac pump rebuild check oil pump and its drive chain.

Usually the bottom end at that mileage is not worn enough to touch anything.

Good luck.

Tom W

This one has 158k on the clock..and the odometer is working...it did come with a service history and the mileage seems to be accurate.

Definitely wanna get the valves done since I'm gonna have the head off...Should I go ahead and replace the actual timing chain in addition to the guides while I've got it off...or are they good to last? I'm not sure if the vac pump is working or not...I seem to be getting no vacuum anywhere...the climate control, door locks, etc are all non functional...the brakes seem really hard as well. I tracked down the vac lines and I don't see anything obvious....I was thinking the pump could be out.

Anything else I should do (or would be a lot easier to do) with the head off?

RML · #11 02-10-2008, 10:11 PM

Welcome to the forum. There is a ton of great information here coming from a great group of people. That is a nice looking car, and I do like the Euro headlights.

It looks like you have already begun the process of sealing your driveway with oil which has dripped from the engine. Did you know this is a standard option that comes with most diesels of this era? Check the air filter to see if it needs to be changed and also check to see if there is oil in the air cleaner housing. It can drip from there quite profusely. A quick check is to run your finger under the right side of the housing. There is a drain hole there where it comes out if it has collected inside. It makes quite a mess dripping out of there.

I also have the electrical gremlins that you mentioned and need to check for a ground somewhere.

Best of luck with your new car.

Richard

barry123400 · #12 02-10-2008, 10:21 PM

Read the proccedure for checking for chain stretch in the archives. Otherwise you might even change out a good or already reciently replaced chain.
I am slowly coming to the conclusion it is best to check the separate chain drive for the oil pump as well on new aquisitions. Especially the little chain tensioner. The oil pan is in two pieces and you only have to remove the lower easy front part to inspect it.
Unless you have perfect documentation with no unexplained gaps. Never assume the odometer reading is accurate on this series of cars. Thats just the way it is. As they say condition is everything with these models.

sknaffl · #13 02-10-2008, 10:24 PM

Thanks Richard...

Yes...I had just pressure washed the driveway from various Saab projects...looks like I will be needing to do it again soon! Anti-Freeze spewed from the expansion tank when I took the cap off...spraying everything onto the driveway.

I feel an obsession starting with this car...much to my family and friends dismay. I've been tinkering with it all day, and have probably logged a good 3 or 4 hours on this website today....trying to find ways out of a headgasket replacement. Looks like that is what I'll be doing though.

I'm new to this MB diesel stuff...so I'm still trying to figure out what everything does....it took me 10 minutes just to figure out how to get a fuse in correctly..LOL...Nothing like a new project though...and I think I got a good car to start with.

Sam

RML · #14 02-10-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sknaffl

. . . have probably logged a good 3 or 4 hours on this website today . . . Sam

I often check the forum shortly before 11 PM to relax for a few minutes before going to bed. On more occasions than I can count I have crawled into bed after 1 AM.

stcbenz83 · #15 02-10-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sknaffl

Just wanted to say hello...and I'm glad I found this site. I'm picking up an '83 300D Turbo, Euro model tomorrow which will be my first MB.

Judging from your pic and looking at your bumper length, it's most likley not a Euro model. Whats your Vin #?

Plus i don't think any Euro models were Turbo Charged, i could be wrong on that one though...