I found a 1985 300D with 88K on the clock no rust, no dings even has the warning triangle in the trunk. Gold exterior over black interior. Can't tell if it is tex or leather. I have never felt MB tex so pliable. Any way $3000 ! I think it is a great deal ! The only flaw is it won't shut down with the key. Does with the stop level though. Maybe vacuum line or ruptured diaphragm in the shut down solenoid ? This will replace the 85 300D that was totaled that protected my 19 year old son recently.

Common problem. Vacuum line to shutoff device on the aft end of the injection pump can be knocked off while changing the filter, or the connector can just be old and cracked. If there is oil dripping from under the dash in the vicinity of the starting key tumbler/switch assembly it is likely the diaphragm in the shutdown device has ruptured. Changing the device is not difficult, but be careful and do a search to get some clear instructions. Failure to properly engage the linkage from the shutoff valve can result in losing control of the engine, which means it revs at no load when you start it until it dies unless you shut it down by cutting off fuel manually (pull the fuel line off the injection pump) and cover the air intake with a 2x6.

If the shutoff device diaphragm has ruptured you will also need to replace the rubber connections to the dash switch as they will get soft and gooey, and never stay put on the vacuum line or the nipple on the switch.

Good find. Just no rust and a correctly running engine is worth the price!

Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

pictures!?!?!?!

sounds gorgeous!

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

ooohhh man what a horrible deal


you should sell it to me and recoup your losses

I know, gold and black too = clash
I'll swap you even up for mine- it shuts off with the key!
Seriously, it sounds like a good find. Lucky to find one rust free so cheap.

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'83 300D Turrrbo 295K miles

And, of course, the obligatory pics.

Good deal. The problem is not necessarily in the shut off valve. Vacuum leaks elsewhere will also produce those same symptoms. Bad diaphragms in the door locks or climate control are often culprits. You can either start pulling vacuums on the various systems with a MityVac to trace it down, or simply plug off the green and yellow vacuum lines exiting the engine compartment and see if it shuts down once those components are taken out of the system.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Great idea for a quick trouble shoot. You guys are awesome in your knowledge of these cars !

wow sounds really nice. still have the old one?

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Heh, shampoo the carpets, put a good coat of wax on the paint, park the car on a marina with a bunch of yachts behind it and you will get bids upwards of 15K for that car... you might even get some second chance offers if the winning bidder backs out... or you might not...
I would give you 4500 for it if you bring it to me... it sounds real nice. should mate up with my gold/black leather 85 TD continental edition...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

And by all means do not let the 19 year old near this one!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Yes John I still have the wreck. Sitting covered in my yard. I would really like to see the engine and trans keep on going in another vehicle. I will begin to pick it apart soon.

Check the vac lines around the oil filter cover. I have had lines break or become dislodged from connectors as a result of changing a filter.

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

I may need one soon (engine that is) I'll let you know.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

LOL... so true. Several characters on eBay do this on a regular basis.

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Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten