So now that I am the proud owner of a 1987 300td with a bad head, the question becomes can I fix it myself? On the w123 I have successfully done ac compressor, receiver drier, expansion valve, dash removal, water pump RR, Thermostat RR valve adjustments, vacuum pump RR and radiator RR. I know this is harder than those tasks, but is it out of my league?

I have done a number of searches but haven't found any extensive how too's. Can anyone give me a link to factory service manual that might be online?

Thanks for any feed back

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1972 280SE 4.5

Manuals have you remove everything that is required for a in-experienced mechanic can do the job correctly with enough room to do all the steps that are neccissary to prep the surfaces and re-install parts correctly.

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1996 s10 zr2 with a 6.5 turbo diesel
1996 c2500 suburban with a 6.5 turbo diesel
1981 300sd with a turbo 617
Monte carlo figure 8 car

Apparently the W201 manual does cover OM603 head replacement, and has the OM603 head bolt torque diagram, despite the fact that this engine wasn't used in the W201.

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-Tyler
1984 Volvo 760GLE Turbo Diesel D24T/M46
1986 Isuzu Trooper Turbo Diesel
No mercedes (for now)

The biggest pain is the slide hammer thingy to pull the timing chain guide pins out from the timing cover ... I home-brewed a slide hammer. Next time, I'd get the real deal and buy that tool.

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Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

You should be fine with it. Pretty straightforward job on that car.

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Jim

You can free rent slidehammers at any autozoo.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Is the MB service manual for the 603 online anywhere?

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1972 280SE 4.5

Yes. We're not allowed to link to them here though.

There are plenty of cd copies available for sale online. Have a look at the buyparts link & support our sponsor.
I am sure the last thing any one wants to do is inadvertently get the forum into trouble for a copyright violation. Many of the online pirate copies of FSM's get removed by the MB legal people.
Good luck !!

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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

You can absolutely do this yourself. Bottom line, its your car.

Think of this like cooking....are you a PBJ kinda guy or are you willing to really dive in and get your hands dirty?

Best of luck, takes LOTS of pictures and make notes. This will pay dividends when its time to put it all back together.

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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.

You can pick up the British Haynes Manuel for these cars.

amazon.com has them,

Not the best, but way better than nothing

Take your time, get the right tools, and yes you can DIY

Brian

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87' 300DT (Grey w/ red leather)
87' 300TDT (silver w/ palamino tex) SOLD

2012 VW JSW TDI (on tdiclub.com all the time "btcost")

Bull****.

http://startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/11832/?requestedDocId=11832

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Ok I'll try it. I found another #14 head on the forum here:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=292336&highlight=head

I am kind of thinking this sounds good since this car isn't exactly a pristine example of a w124. Should I search out a higher numbered head?

I believe my Car is a 603.96, will any other heads do? For example 603.97

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1972 280SE 4.5

Thanks for the link.

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1972 280SE 4.5

Wow. Down even to how to open the hood...

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1989 300E 144K