Went to leave "God"s Country" this morning to go to the P & P in that metropolis of Indianoplace. Just south of Noblesville, that very fair city, I saw a nice looking W123 sitting by the side of the road. Sure enough, it was that same creamy light yellow that my 240D is. Well, I was going fast when I saw this car, and too much traffic to make a fast stop safely, so I went on.
On the return trip the car was still there, and a late model Chebby Suburban was there, pretty new, but not built by Goverment Motors. Well, I decided to turn around and talk to these folks as to why they were not driving the Mercedes. Well, they were from a neighboring village and he said they were waiting for Triple A to pick the car up. They said it would not run.
Then the story went like this. He purchased the car in February, a low mileage, (speedo not working-he thinks it is the cable) one owner old lady driven 1979 W123 300D without the turbo. He lent it to a friend for the past week who needed transportation. Last night late, about midnight, the engine made a loud noise and stopped. He parked the car and left it. The owner who arrived only shortly before I did, said upon inspecting the car he notice a small spot of oil under the engine. Then he said, I also found this and went to the suburban and pulled out the most twisted and burned up connecting rod I have ever seen. He thinks his friend abused the car. I told him, "that is possible" but I said, "I think it is un-likely". Pretty hard to abuse a non turbo diesel with an automatic transmission, running down that road with all its traffic and stop lights. So that's the story. I gave him my Email and phone number, told him about the Forum and asked him to keep in touch. And of course, he feels the car is worth a bunch, with dead paint all over it, a very dead engine rust spots light but in all the familiar spots, but such a beautiful interior. He said he paid quite a bit for the car because he wanted a good second car for his and family use. He said he really thought he could depend on Mercedes Benz to supply that. Well I said, they are pretty good, but they all come apart sooner or later. Yaa, ya, ya he said, he said, I guess they do all come apart. Well, I hope we hear from him on the forum. He did seem interested in keeping this car on the road.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Sounds like he likes spending a lot of money on old MB's so send him my way:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2023962789.html

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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

A good honest add Kerry !!
Hope you phone doesnt stop ringing !!
Good luck !!

As to the one on the side of the road, I wonder when was the last time some one checked the oil level (maybe not since Feb?). They dont throw a rod without good reason.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

No pic of the rod incident?

sounds crazy.

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83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

Anything of interest at the yard? I have not been since spring or something.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D