Leaking oil pressure gauge '83 300TDT - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Renntag · #1 09-04-2009, 11:31 AM

No searches have returned needed info regarding solution for my leaking oil pressure gauge.

The Situation:

My '83 300TDT started to have the appearance of "darkening of the idiot lights" at the lower portion of the gauges. A busy schedule kept me from investigating. Fast forward another week and oil started to seep from the gauge cluster over the dash pad below the gauges and onto the steering column. I drove for a few days swapping paper towels strategically placed to mop up the ensuing mess.

Removing the lower panel, I found the insulation soaked with oil, I removed the gauges and noticed the oil line was tight and not leaking. Removing the cluster from the car and disassembling it, I found the trio of gauges with the Oil pressure gauge, covered in oil. The oil clearly was leaking from the gauge assembly itself. I had suspected the line attachment to the cluster.

I wanted to remove it from the cluster to look into replacement, but there appears to be no way to separate the trio. The 2 electric gauges are soldered to the board, thus not allowing access to the OP gauge.

In order to drive the car home from the shop, I cut a piece of Nitrile glove, stuck it in the oil port on the back of the gauge, and reinstalled the oil line.

Testing for leaks prior to final install of the gauges, it appeared all was ok.

The 1.5 hour drive home was without seepage. (no awful side effects...LOL). ...Well other than the death indicator of "0" bar due to blocked oil line.

Now moving on....is it cost effective to replace this gauge? Do I get another used assembly? I have no problem adding an aftermarket gauge as I wish to monitor Boost and EGT anyway. (those gauges not installed yet).

Any help/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Note: This was previously posted here:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=2286278&postcount=12

kerry · #2 09-04-2009, 11:45 AM

Pull a whole cluster from the junkyard for $10.

vstech · #3 09-04-2009, 11:49 AM

and if you are going to list your vehicle type, list it as it appears on your hatch badge...
1983 300TD... TURBODIESEL...
we all know by the year of the vehicle weather or not it is turbo. unless it's a euro import, and then you gotta say euro...

Renntag · #4 09-04-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Pull a whole cluster from the junkyard for $10.

Any suggestions as to finding a junkyard?

That sounds like a great solution. I could swap over my speedo assy to retain accurate mileage.

Search for a replacement gauge on all parts express net me nothing but this:
http://www.allpartsexpress.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1983%40%401983&makeid=MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&engineid=1194320%40%40300TDT++%2F+L5-2998cc+3.0L+DIESEL+FI++Turbo%40%40300TDT&keyword=gauge&subcatid=Oil+Gauge+Pressure+Line@@Oil+Gauge+Pressure+Line%2FInstrument%2FSensor&mode=PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

and if you are going to list your vehicle type, list it as it appears on your hatch badge...
1983 300TD

Isn't it in my signature as such?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... TURBODIESEL...
we all know by the year of the vehicle weather or not it is turbo.

By "all" you mean, those that really know the 123. I do not include myself in that group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

unless it's a euro import, and then you gotta say euro...

"...die and pay taxes..." That is all I really "gotta" do. My wife of course has a much longer list.

Thanks for the info, and I noticed your signature... it seems that even if I was to include all of this info, it might not be noticed anyway.

All kidding aside, I just really wish to make the best choice to keep our little wagon going, without breaking Benjamin.

toomany MBZ · #5 09-04-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Pull a whole cluster from the junkyard for $10.

Agreed. You can even replace just the left instrument, a few screws it comes out, plug and play. You'll have to start at the other end tho.
Note your vehicle as often as you care to, even adding a T on the end for turbo, nit-pickers may have a rise in their blood pressure, otherwise no problem.

JimmyL · #6 09-04-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renntag

My '83 300TDT ..............

vstech, thanks for holding down the fort for me until I got here!

kerry · #7 09-04-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

nit-pickers may have a rise in their blood pressure,

Is it not out of the question that the car itself had it's oil pressure raised, thereby blowing the guage, as a result of being referred to as a TDT?

toomany MBZ · #8 09-05-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Is it not out of the question that the car itself had it's oil pressure raised, thereby blowing the guage, as a result of being referred to as a TDT?

LOL

Cr from Texas · #9 09-05-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

Agreed. You can even replace just the left instrument, a few screws it comes out, plug and play. You'll have to start at the other end tho.
Note your vehicle as often as you care to, even adding a T on the end for turbo, nit-pickers may have a rise in their blood pressure, otherwise no problem.

X2

OP, I go to the local Pick-n-Pull and they are having half price this labor day weekend (Friday-Monday) but it looks like there is not one very close to you. http://www.picknpull.com/locations.aspx

Others - especially Jimmy. I think the factory made a mistake with trunk badges and had a big surplus for the euro models so they also put them on the turbo models including my 300D-T (as shown on the window sticker, my metal owner's warranty plate, my Texas title, my insurance card - everywhere except the trunk badge)

They had so many they even put them on non 123's after 1985!

JimmyL · #10 09-05-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

Others - especially Jimmy. I think the factory made a mistake with trunk badges and had a big surplus for the euro models so they also put them on the turbo models including my 300D-T (as shown on the window sticker, my metal owner's warranty plate, my Texas title, my insurance card - everywhere except the trunk badge)

They had so many they even put them on non 123's after 1985!

I can always count on CR-T to offer a spirited, yet incorrect counterpoint.

Hmmm, lets see:
Engineer who designed the car right down to it's hallowed "Trunk Badge of Truth" {"Hatch" for wagons

} or
Clerical employee in charge of paperwork.

You decide.......