I went ahead and took a chance on that higher mileage 300d that I looked at the other day based on many recommendations from local shops and on the various Benz groups.

I have a stack of repair receipts about an inch high for the car along with all the manuals, and stuff that came with it new (bought it from the original owner's son). I literally have record of every engine and transmission oil change since 1984. It was religiously changed every 5000 miles on the engine and 25K for the trans. Oil cooler lines have been redone in the last 3 years, as well as engine mounts (although it still shakes a bit).

Some observations: It ran great on the 30 mile trip home. Good pickup, trans seemed to shift well, climate control works, but the A/C did not blow cold. When I parked it, I did notice an oil drip from what seemed to be the rear (of the car) of the engine....I haven't been under there yet to look at it, so I don't know where it's coming from. I haven't been able to find a record of the timing chain change, so that worries me a bit. The last valve adjust was about 60K ago, so I assume it's due for that too.

Any other things I should immediately tackle?

Thanks, and I LOVE the car.

Joe

Do the valve adjustment first. If that doesn't cure the shaking, I'd look at the rack damper pin. Search for that, and you'll find lots of info about it. You want the gold one. OH, and pics are mandatory around here.

__________________
79 MB 280 SEL Euro 133k
77 MB 450SL 154k
05 Mustang GT Vert (3) 104k
12 TSX Wagon Tech (66k) (192k)
06 Subaru Outback base (135k) 164k
16 Acura MDX (109k) 111k
18 Silverado 2500 LTZ Midnight (212) 56k
97 Ford Ranger 163k
11 RAV4 154k
01 Escape 173k
04 Honda Pilot 292k
1967 Mustang (Resto Project)
1968 Mustang (Parts Bin)
00 Ford Ranger 124k

'83 300D is an absolutely wonderful MB. About as bullet proof as they get. At least that's my take.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln

Keep the drain ports clear in the:
-Engine compartment back corners (by the hood hinges)
-Trunk (underneath the carpet in trunk)
-Sunroof(DRain empties behind back tire, between back tire/wheel well.

As for AC-see if the pully to the compressor is engaudeing when AC is turned on. If the pulley is NOT enguageing -check the relay. The Relay has a habit of overheating.

Congratulations, fellow '83 300D owner! I've had mine for about four months now, during which time I've put about 14,000 miles on her driving all over the country visiting national parks. I've owned a number of cars during the 15 years I've been driving, and can easily say that while the 300D is neither the fastest nor the most luxurious car I've owned or driven, it is easily the most satisfying car to drive. Hopefully your experience will be similar!

How many miles are on the car?

If the valves haven't been adjusted in 60k miles, I'm sure they are good and tight by now. Of all the things I've done to my 300, the valve adjustment made the biggest difference and offered the biggest bang for the buck. I've done mine twice now, and I would suggest that you invest in some valve adjustment wrenches specifically made for the job. I tried to do it without these essential tools and it just didn't work. Also, as you have probably read, you should change out the valve cover gasket when you do the adjustment.

Welcome to the club, and enjoy your 300D in good health!

Oh, and as for the AC, that could be any number of things. Mine had the same problem when I got it, and topping off the R12 fixed the problem.

Also, depending on where you live and how hot it gets there, it might be worthwhile to rewire the AC so that it blows only recirculated air, which helps it cool better. I did this to mine (I live in TX) and it stays nice and cool.

X2

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

Can you please post how you did this and pics (if possible) this sounds like a good idea here in South Florida

Actually, on this model the sunroof drains out the vents where the main body meets the roof just behind the rear windows.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

congrats joe. Now, post some pics so that we can see the new ride! You definitely want to adjust the valves, they are long overdue. It will also improve a vast number of things(cold starting, smoking, shaking, etc.) It might take a lot of effort chasing down a shaky engine. It could be engine mounts, shocks, damper screw, fuel, etc. Many of the diesel MBs' I have come across, have had some sort of shaking personality, one way or another

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1983 300 Turbo-"Nora"
1983 240D Auto "Lucia"-slowest on earth-1st love
1985 300 Turbo-Blue Goose-slowly plucking parts

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...ly15/mbsig.jpg

Opps-my bad I was thinking of the 300SD for sunroof vents

Well, I'm pretty sure it needs freon. I can't get the compressor to kick in for anything, so the sight glass is pretty useless.

Unfortunately, nobody around here has the old stuff, so I may have to resort to getting it evacuated and converted. Really tough to drive anything around here right now without A/C.

As for the valves, I'm going to have to look into those tools immediately, as well as a oil cap gasket...it's leaking there too. I'm hopeful that my oil drip below is not coming from the rear main seal...that would really suck.

oh, and where's the relay for the A/C?

where is "around here"? I have a very nice stock of A/C equipment and 12... if you are near Charlotte, NC...
if not, go to harbor freight.com or if you have a store nearby, get a set of gauges. then go on craigslist.org, and search for "R-12 30" and find some 12 for sale.

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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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I'm not sure if anyone will sell it to me if I don't take the EPA test, right?

Does Harbor freight sell the hose that hooks to the little R-12 bottles?