Welcome to the forum, John. We've all been where you are at some point in our lives, especially when entering the world of Mercedes diesels. Over time, you'll find that these vehicles are relatively easy to diagnose and repair, especially compared to more modern vehicles with tons of electronic and computerized equipment.

As others have said, be patient, ask questions, and read, read, read. The DIY articles are an excellent resource for learning the step-by-step function and repair of various components. Also, I have found the explosion diagrams in the EPC to be extremely helpful for learning and understanding how these vehicles work. The same explosion diagrams are also available on this Russian MB site.

Keep us updated as you get to know your wagon.

The wagon is a little more complicated. I recommend a 240d as a first diesel with a stick, manual windows and no sunroof. Good luck finding one though.;)

They are high quality, safely engineered and mechanic friendly. The things on the engine which are not do it yourself friendly are also the most bulletproof (the IP, injection pump).

I have a book from the eighties all about diesels that I bought when i bought my first diesel a mb 220d. It is called "chiltons diesel guide" and is an excellent primer on general diesel facts. I suggest you look for one on ebay or abe books used.

GP = glow plug, FW = flywheel, pp = pressure plate or peachparts, and so forth. Don't be afraid to ask or use the search feature above. These old 123 diesels are so well engineered and simple, if you get one up to snuff they will run for decades with only routine maintenance. They aren't free to maintain but they are not very expensive either.;)

I second the pictorials on diesel giant. Also wikipedia has some good info. After that hunt down the FSM or parts listing. The only major difference between gas and diesel is lack of spark. Most or many other things are very similar.

X2
This is great advice to any young guy wanting to start driving a MB.

Too many go after a C class 6 cylinder gasser & wrap it around a tree.

A basic diesel will teach you to drive smart rather than fast, you get there just as quick & save plenty on fuel.

This forum tends to be particularly helpful & friendly to new young MB diesel owners. Its a quality that makes it second to none !!!!!!!!!!!

A diesel RABBIT? Man we haven't seen any VW Rabbit on the roads around here in a decade. Hmm well okay maybe the odd old GTI that some kid was still thrashing around.

And when they do come up, theyr'e now worth waaaay north of half a bill unless theyr'e a parts car.

If you have them down there in Mass for $500 you need to buy them up and put them on eVilBay.... :D

no crap! those 80 diesel VW's are bringing big bucks... the little trucks can fetchs 11k restored. There's a standing ad on local CL offering to buy any and all in any condition due to this... GL finding one for 500 bucks...

All the abbreviations can be daunting, no one knew what these things meant at first.

As suggested, ask.

Don't worry about starting with something else, you have what you have, learn with it.

available here, cheap -


Amazon.com: Chilton's Guide to Diesel Cars and Trucks (9780801973772): James Joseph: Books

I am glad I brought a non turbo for my first Benz.

MaineCedes - Please consider these few ideas first:

1. An oil change is required for proper operation - filter and oil.
Become familiar with the oil filter location. It is on the back of the
engine, drivers side, facing straight up. You open it by removing
two 13mm nuts on the housing. Remove the top.
A 13mm drain plug on the oil pan drains the bottom.
I do this every 3500 to 4500 miles. Use 15-40 Diesel grade oil.
Diesel grade oil matters. It is the soot from diesel engines that the oil
helps capture.

2. Probably around every 15,000 miles the valve cover will have to come
off for a valve adjustment. Two 14mm wrenches to adjust the valves.
Use a 17mm open end wrench to remove all five injector lines for easy access.
No fancy or special tools really required. Just a little patience.
4 13mm nuts hold the valve cover on.

Your wagon has a special pump that controls the suspension. Only the wagons have these. Which might explain some peoples hesitation or suggestion to not have a wagon.

From my point of view, this board is the BEST place for all things Mercedes Diesel and you are going to be fine. If you have ever done basic mechanical
stuff you are going to have no problems at all generally speaking.

My philosophy has been that anything can be fixed and we are very lucky
that parts are available.

Your glow plugs are located from the drivers side straight in to the block.
Smaller than spark plugs. Usually less trouble.

Hopefully you have another car to drive when this one needs maintenance.

Although I drive a Diesel Benz daily and have for over twenty years.
I keep a spare car around. When maintenance is required I like to do it right.
That sometimes means a couple days to investigate, order parts,
do the repair.

Another thing is the get togethers.
At some point a few of you in the same area will agree to meet for a
half day drive and parking lot meet and greet with hoods open.

Here you can ask questions and learn about your amazing
and well built diesel benz.

MaineCedes - you wanna show off your new ride and post a picture ?

How about one of the engine also ?

$11K? sign me up. I also have a 240D that will go a million miles and gets 50 mpg...
The VWs at best are like driving a 190D. Every tool has its purpose.

Most of the basics I can think of have already been covered, but I will add to the thought of taking things one bit at a time. I always joke that the more things break, the more I learn, but it's true ... I've browsed through many threads and DIYs just for educational purposes, but much of my education has come in moments of blood, sweat and tears and desperation when I don't really have a choice but to fix something to get it back on the road. Have to admit sometimes I wish I just had someone to stand there and tell me what I'm looking for, or what I'm doing wrong, but this forum is pretty close to that. I did help myself a bit at the start by buying a basic guide to diesel engines that I found very helpful. I'm an English major, so my understanding of mechanics and physics was (is) not exactly ace. Unfortunately I'm not sure where that book is now, but I'll tell you the title as soon as I find it. I used to haul it to Starbucks along with Tennyson on my nights off and read a couple chapters over coffee.
I don't really think there's a right or wrong first car. I think the key thing is having a car you love, because otherwise the motivation can fade, at least in my opinion. I started out with my 1987 300D, which I think a lot of people would say is too complicated to start on, but I've achieved a lot with it and continue to do so because I love it. I did eventually add the aforementioned sunroofless stick 240D with crank windows, but the main reason I learned so much from that was 1) it needed A LOT of work and 2) it was in bad enough shape that I wasn't as afraid of messing it up as I was (and am) with the 87. It was kind of a lost cause to being with, so any effort I made was an improvement. As it turned out, I had some success and learned a lot of things I could apply to the 87. So if you have the space/money to take on an extra beater, I would recommend that. But if not, I think the wagon is as good as anything to learn on, so long as you really like the car enough to stick with it.:)

Here is the book that Tom mentioned up above, "Chiltons Diesel Guide".
Think I bought this book around 1980.

Amazon.com: Chilton's Diesel Guide: Cars and Light Trucks (9780801967535): James Joseph: Books

I bought this book about the same time period. by Paul Dempsey,
"How to convert your car, van, or pickup to Diesel".
Has some good info on diesel engines.

Amazon.com: How to Convert Your Car, Van, or Pickup to Diesel (9780830679683): Paul Dempsey: Books


This is a good one on the fuel injection system, by Robert N. Brady

Amazon.com: Automotive and Small Truck Fuel Injection Systems: Gas and Diesel (9780835903158): Robert N. Brady: Books

Charlie