This weekend, I bought a '93 300d w/320K miles. The car looks good, interior is good, and seems to run good. It was a 1 owner with all service records since new. This car is about the most solid car I've ever driven- not a rattle in it, and it handles fantastic. I got it for just over $2000 and think (hope) it was a good buy.

I've owned several 70s-80s MB diesels, and even an '84 190d, but I'm not real familiar with this engine (602). It runs good, but seems a little underpowered. Of course the first thing I did was change fuel filters (as well as underhood fluids), and removed/plugged the EGR hose. I also cleaned the gunk out of the intake fitting that goes to the alda hose. That helped performance a noticable amount. With my older 300d's I would typically back out the adjustment screw on the alda. With this '93, it's hidden under the intake manifold, and would be a bugger to get at.

What do you folks recommend to help with the power of this car? Also, are there any "out of the ordinary" items I should be looking at or taking care of as "known problems" with this model?

I sure appreciate the information I've gleaned from this group! Thanks!

If you can go 0 to 60 in around 12.5 to 13 seconds then it is running like it should.

Check this out.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

At 300K + miles even running at 14 seconds 0-60 is good.

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1993 Mercedes 300D 2.5

1987 Mercedes 300D 3.0

2000 Volkswagen JETTA TDI diesel 5 speed

2002 Lexus ES300

2006 Lexus GS430

You probably have a vacuum leak or a component failure in the "rat's nest" near the airbox that controls all the emission controls.

If you are getting a power surge around 1800-2000 rpms then your turbo is working.

If not, I suggest you do the pressure actuated wastegate mod.

You will have to buy the actuator and drill a hole somewhere in your intake but it's worth it and it eliminates multiple sources for vacuum leaks. It also eliminates the need for the EGR.

Here's the thread.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=212097&highlight=OM602+wastegate+swap

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1993 W124 300D
-297K on the clock as I type this.

True dat.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

Thanks for the link to the article about the wastegate. I read it and will be doing this modification soon.

The car has been serviced every 4-5,000 miles w/ MB filters and Castrol oil. Any idea how long the engine will last w/o overhaul? There hasn't been anything internal done so far, oil pressure is OK (at least by the dash guesser), it starts instantly with hardly any cranking.

I would be more worried about transmission because these engines usually outlast two auto trannies.

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1993 Mercedes 300D 2.5

1987 Mercedes 300D 3.0

2000 Volkswagen JETTA TDI diesel 5 speed

2002 Lexus ES300

2006 Lexus GS430

Yep, it's had a new transmission! It was replaced in 2006, seems real good now, fluid is bright, shifts good, pulls good.
Thanks!