I'm sure there are things about your awesome TD that don't seem to work quite right. Search the forum for threads on the issue, then investigate your car and try to figure it out. If it's a daily driver, and new to you, then you will be wanting to check safety and driveability issues first. Also, being in Maine, yer gonna need to start the car in the cold, search out glow plug and related topics. When I first dove into the aging Mercedes diesel world, I came here and read for months before I even joined. This is an excellent resource, and is filled with real world applications, many of which will closely resemble your own firsthand experiences. You will discover over time that there are a number of unimpeachable (pun intended) sources here who will stick with you step by step if you can accurately describe the problem and report back on the specific questions they will ask. There is no book that can do what this forum can, in that regard.
So, welcome and happy motoring!!

Remember that there is no dumb question but for the one you don't ask.
Some good pictorial repairs can be found on Dieselgiant.com

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

x2.

I had never had a diesel up until I ran into this forum last year... never worked on one, driven one you get the idea... now I have 5 of them.

Start small, fix it, move on to the next thing... before you know it, everything will just make sense.

Thanks all for the encouragement.

Although if I have five of these things within a year, i will be back here looking for the best books on marital counseling...

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

Wait till you have your first repair- You will learn quickly.

The 123 diesels are a pretty owner-friendly vehicle. Have fun!

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Chief

1991 350SD

O.K. It is bit late even for me so don't take this post too seriously but IMHO a turbo Mercedes wagon is NOT the first diesel vehicle you should buy as Daily Driver to "learn the ropes" on. Go out and buy a rusty VW Rabbit to tinker with for 500 and drive or maybe park the Mercedes until the honeymoon is over, so to speak and then you can decide if you really want to deal with an extra cylinder, a turbo, an automatic levelling system, power everything, vacuum everything and 300K and 30 years of Previous Owners "fixes". Sounding a bit cynical? No one says you have to listen to me....Welcome to the club of course!

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1982 240D auto
1978 300CD auto
1985 300D auto
1983 300TD auto
1984 Porsche 944 5 speed
1973 Opel GT 1900 4 speed
1967 Chevy C30 350 Sm420
1973 Mustang Grande Convertible 302 C4
1981 VW Pickup 1.6D Turbo 5 speed
1983 Rabbit 1.6D Factory Turbo 5 speed
Plus parts vehicles...

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.

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-1985 300TD - 324k mi on chassis. MB "Tauschaggregat" 617 motor + 4-speed conversion
Alaska Roadtrip 2009
-2002 E320 Wagon - 197k mi
-1998 E320 Wagon - 310k mi - retired

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.

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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.

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....

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

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...