I found this listing in the Portland CL today for a 2007 Mercedes CDI Diesel Engine.
This guy states he had problems with the turbo after using biodiesel. I'm wondering if really this isn't something a bit more serious like maybe he used an unheated VO system with the car.

The listing text is the following:

Complete Engine from 2007 R320 V6 CDI Diesel Mercedes. 8K miles. No Turbo charger.
This engine was removed from my car for warranty purposes, it has been removed because of problems with the turbo caused by using biodiesel.

I offer no warranty, only that the engine was functional when removed and not smoking or showing any signs of damage. The turbo was damaged and removed.

I will accept best offer. The engine is on a pallet at Mercedes in Portland, and you will have to be responsible for pick up and transport.

I will accept the best cash offer I get for the engine by the end of last week.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Offer him $10 and when he says no ask him to tell you why the engine was pulled and replaced for a bad turbo???

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Strange that he ended up with the engine if it was a warranty claim. Also strange that Mercedes would honor warranty if the owner was using WVO, they don't even like biodiesel more than 5%. Something here that doesn't meet the eye.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Yeah, something doesn't add up here. It would be pretty hard for even the worst quality home brewed bio to waste an engine (or even a turbo) in 8k miles. WVO, home brew bio, or even B99 wouldn't be covered under warranty. Plus none of the above would waste just the turbo. Unless it goes for absolutely dirt cheap, I wouldn't walk away from that one - I think I'd RUN.

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

I'm still trying to think of what WVO or for that matter, even Biodiesel, could possibly do to a turbo....

VO can trash an injector pump (too thick to pump), lift pump (too think to pump), clog the pickup screen (not filtered enough/too cold), clog fuel filters (same as before), trash injectors (not dewatered enough), and unheated WVO/VO eventually can build up crap on the valves, pistons and clog rings (bad spray pattern from being too think), not to mention get past rings to the crankcase, contamination the oil, BUT I can't think of how it could affect the turbo.........

Something is just not right with that ad.

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87 300SDL - 215K Miles !!
99 F-350CC Dually PSD - 190K
86 300SDL - 189K
All on B-100

I saw that too. Scam scam scam IMHO.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Here's my hunch:

A tech who was in charge of disposing of a damaged engine is now attempting to sell it to some unsuspecting buyer. Among the various things to be damaged by using biodiesel, the turbo would be among the last.

In theory, if the turbine was oil lubricated and substantial contamination of the engine oil occured (due to WVO use) , then the turbo could experience bearing failure.

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Vehicles Owned:
1983 Mercedes Benz 300D ~ 212,000 miles
2005 Mazda 3 S ~ 96,000 miles

I've heard claims like those before. They are usually the dealership telling someone they killed something unrealated to the fuel system from running biodiesel, so they don't have to pay to fix it.

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Using biodiesel in the crankcase?

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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