Hello, took my 300d to my local MB shop and told him about a small leak.

He advised me it was the rear main seal and he would need to pull trans. and engine apart and cost would be mostly labor plus parts of course.

He did not have a parts list completed so had no estimate yet.

I thought it over and due to lots of Dr. bills lately and the fact the car shows no big loss of oil monthly and has not used over a quart in the last year, (not daily driver) I called and left a message for him to not do this job right now.

1. Is this a wise decision going by oil consumption, drippings evident on driveway etc. ?

2. Does anyone have a "ball park figure" of cost for this job at a good workshop (highly recommended) where good/trustworthy people work like the man I speak of ?

I thought it was an oil pan leak........this is also such a good sound car I hated to do anything major to it since it drives and performs so very well.

The engine is clean as a pen and inside and outside of this car looks minty.......(I thought I would brag about my car a bit)...........

I appreciate the advice.

Revolverman

In as much as not all 300D's are the same, disclosing the year model is essential to receiving relevant answers to your questions.

On a W123 my SOTP estimate is a thousand dollars or a bit more. Just the tranny r&r should run around six hours by the book. Add in parts and the extra trouble of replacing the rear main, at a hundred bucks an hour you're in the low four figures pretty easily.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

With that minor an amount of oil usage, I wouldn't do it.

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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

Kitty litter is cheap..... spread on driveway and drive a lot longer.

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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

If he hasn't pulled the tranny, it might be leaking past one of the oil gallery plugs. I've heard of a couple such leaks. Sounds like an easier repair than a rear main seal but the tranny still has to come off.

Sixto
87 300D

The year model is 1982.

I agree with everyone. It does not leak but a few drops a week. I will let it go since it's not a big deal.

Thanks for the input.

Revolverman.

To replace the rear main, the engine has to come out, the upper pan has to be removed. the the crank has to be lifted out. the rear seal is a rope seal in 2 parts. one goes into the upper pan and the other in the engine block.

It cannot be replaced by removing the transmission.

with the small amount of leakage,you stated, I would let it go for a while.

Rollguy did a how to, on replacing the seal.

www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=298852

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

The leak may be the oil filter housing to block gasket and/or torque converter seal leaking.

Both are common issues.

.

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Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
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Technical Quality Auditor.
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

x2. I was going to say rear main leaks are not at all common.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.