Seems like everything is more expensive on a Cali car

Just wanted to vent....

Who else is frustrated with their cars?

Found out that the leak from the bottom of my car is compressor oil, and I might need a new compressor... A/C still works however...

__________________
1985 300D (CA, 173K)

Dynamite Biodiesel Co-op, Phoenix,AZ

Haven't had time to get frustrated with the Mercedes yet. I'm plenty frustrated with one of my two VWs. (Have an '89 Cabriolet that's not in my sig, that recently developed an intermittent misfire.)

I was remarking to my wife the other day that I don't so much sell cars as break up with them. By the time I get rid of them I'm usually mad at them.

They all break your heart in the end.

__________________
1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png

If you keep running the AC system after you know you are leaking refrigerant oil you will need a compressor.....
Stop using the AC unless you have already decided to replace everything..
if it goes for lack of lube.... it can spread burnt stuff all around your system... and might make cleanup by flushing much harder or impossible ( requiring replacement of parts which might have been able to be cleaned by flushing ..)...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Have you looked at the cost of a newer automobile.... even the cost of comprehensive coverage required on a newer car will probably less than you will spend on your car this year....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Calif and Fed starters were the same price at Advance Auto Parts the last time I checked.

__________________
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

hey Franken...

You have replaced your trap-ox "bowling ball" with a bypass pipe, right?

Let's start the question here. I have heard that the '85 300D KaliKar starter was so expensive because it had to be modified to fit under the trap-ox (specifically, that the solenoid had to be repositioned to the bottom to clear the trap-ox)....but you (and I) don't have a trap-ox any more. So why wouldn't a non-KaliKar '85 starter fit? Many less $$s.

Any opinions anyone? I have read that this is a bad-enough job without having to spend double or more for the starter.

__________________
Mike Frederick
1986 300SDL, 240K+ miles
1985 300D KaliKar, 270K+ miles

Mikey, you may have just made his day !!!

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

hmmmmmmmm, I will have to check if it will mount right up or it if will need a bracket. Anyone have any clue? I'll call my mechanic tomorrow and see if he has an idea.

If so it will save me 40 or so dollars, not bad!

And Kerry, I've heard too much bad stuff about Autozone parts to use them for a starter, thanks though!

__________________
1985 300D (CA, 173K)

Dynamite Biodiesel Co-op, Phoenix,AZ

I was under the impression it was different because of the turbo relocation...

__________________
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 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Advance Auto Parts, not Autozone. I put one of their starters in a 77 300d and it worked fine for years until I sold it. I think the starter was a Bosch if I'm not mistaken.

__________________
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

Whoops read that too quickly, long day.

I'll check out their price on it, thanks

__________________
1985 300D (CA, 173K)

Dynamite Biodiesel Co-op, Phoenix,AZ

Unless you are in a hurry I'd repair the one you have - if your original starter is a Bosch don't exchange it for another brand - the Bosch ones are really well made. Here are some pictures of an OM617 starter motor

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OM617StarterRebuild

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I encountered this issue on my SD when I did a starter 3-4 years back. Mine is a 10/84 build, 1985 Federal with '84 CA emissions... but just about every damned parts place thinks the thing is an '85 CA. Trans pan gasket is different, NSS is different, starter, etc. for '85 CA. So I now just order parts for an '84 Federal.

All I can seem to remember is that the solenoid just mounts 180° on the opposing side. Really that was all there was that was different other than the part number. The '85 CA would not work as my power cable was not long enough obviously, as I have the aforementioned issue.

Just be sure to hose down the bolts with some quality penetrating oil before attempting to remove the starter. They are a real pain in the a**.

FWIW, I purchased my starter from AutoZone and it has been working great for years. I am beginning to think the bad parts from AZ is just like Yellow Bottle Pennzoil is bad oil type of deal... urban legend now.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

What Army said, 2X

I agree fully that I would rather pay a credible shop, ( one that does truck work, better) to rebuild than to a AZ, or others. To all who have had great sucess with AZ et al, good. I believe to maintain profit at those price levels, cutting costs far exceeds quality rebuilding.

Maybe I am wrong, God knows I have been there before.

__________________
Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW

check out oreilly.....they have remanufactured Bosch models.

Had to do this in the wagon recently, and was able to get the starter the same day.

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT