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  #1  
Old 08-29-2012, 09:22 PM
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Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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1983 240D VO Follow-Up Part Deux

Hi folks!

Got the pre-purchase inspection back today (was worried for a bit that the OO was going to keep the car because I "renewed his interest" which is awesome but HEY, I want that car!).

Some "new" things, figured I'd list them here and see what your advice and suggestions are:

Rear windows chatter (worn regulators)

The sunroof motor will open automatically but only close manually

left rear lock is not working

optical horn (?) has no high beam--says "probable bad switch"

Valve cover gasket leaks

Belts are cracked (how much should new belts be?)

The radiator neck is broken. It still works but might fail? Do I just get a new radiator?

It needs new tires. What size should I use? I have seen 190 70 r14 and 195 70 r14 bandied about.

The ball joint rubber covers are torn. Can these be easily replaced? Do they need to be?

The center muffler heat shield is cracked and vibrates/makes noise.

Needs a throttle linkage adjustment.

Thoughts?

Thanks to all--hope to have pictures with me & the car by Friday.

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  #2  
Old 08-29-2012, 11:08 PM
Zacharias's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
Rear windows chatter (worn regulators)
Easy to get used from someone parting a car on this forum, or from a pickn'pull. A DIY job, not the easiest, but DIY.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
The sunroof motor will open automatically but only close manually
The tracks are dirty and/or the nylon skids the roof runs on are worn. Taking out the roof, cleaning and lubing is a DIY job.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
left rear lock is not working
Likely in need of lube, not likely to be a big issue.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
optical horn (?) has no high beam--says "probable bad switch"
Not a difficult item to find used, also available new if you wish to splash out. I am assuming he checked the fuse.

If only the "optical horn" feature is missing, and the high/low beam controls work, it isn't even necessary to change the switch.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
Valve cover gasket leaks
Under $10 and the hardest part is disconnecting the linkages to pull the cover.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
Belts are cracked (how much should new belts be?)
I don't remember what I paid last time. I remember expensive things

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Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
The radiator neck is broken. It still works but might fail? Do I just get a new radiator?
Well you CAN buy a kit to fix that but do yourself a favour and buy a new radiator and drive in confidence.
CORRECTION: if the neck is broken the repair kit I was thinking of won't work.

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Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
It needs new tires. What size should I use? I have seen 190 70 r14 and 195 70 r14 bandied about.
195/70-14

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
The ball joint rubber covers are torn. Can these be easily replaced? Do they need to be?
I would not, but others might disagree.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
Needs a throttle linkage adjustment.

Thoughts?
Well if that is the extent of the 'bad' you are doing really well. I shopped for 8 months and spent hundreds on inspections that went sour, before I got my first SD.

Honestly if no rust issues came up, that's one of the most positive pre-purchase reports I've ever heard.
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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

Last edited by Zacharias; 08-30-2012 at 12:42 AM.
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  #3  
Old 08-29-2012, 11:25 PM
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SWEET

I am picking it up Friday morning.

WOOO!
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  #4  
Old 08-30-2012, 12:43 AM
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I made a correction to what I said about a repair kit for the rad.
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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
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  #5  
Old 08-30-2012, 02:38 AM
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That's a bit of a list for a car you describe as beautiful. Somehow I wonder if someone who defers things like belts, ball joints and tires keeps up with valve adjustments and suspension bushings. Hopefully the list of details means the underside is in top shape (pun intended). I'd specifically ask the inspecting tech about the guide rod mounts, flex disks and carrier bearings. I want to be wrong but you might be back here asking about a squeak here and a shudder there as you get to know the car. Are you ready to throw $2000 in suspension and driveline work into it in the next 12 months? Out of curiosity, how many MB Diesels did you check before deciding on this one? I've lost track of how many I've checked and I owned and sold three before settling on the right one... which I totaled less than a year into it :/

Sixto
87 300D
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  #6  
Old 08-30-2012, 09:23 AM
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Hmmm... nothing on that list (with the exception of the rad) rang a sour note with me. All are the sorts of things that people in the world outside this list and DIY-ing -- those who pay shop labour rates and shop markup on parts -- commonly put off. They are also probably indicative of someone who has lost interest in the car, which is simply human nature (2x with the WVO movement).

Observations:

!. Just about all the Mercedes I have owned came with this sort of list, when purchased. On a $2,000 car, I would have argued for something on the price based on the rad and the tires, but I didn't bother to mention this as the OP had already slid in a reference to the deal being done.

2. Yes shopping around makes sense and it can take time to get the right car. But there is also such a thing as karma. My current 300d, which is the nicest Mercedes I ever owned, came to me because I was bored at work one morning and did an eBay search -- after probably 8 months of being sworn off looking for cars anywhere. I stumbled upon the auction ending in 2 hrs. I sniped in the winning bid while pretending to finish something really important as my boss stood in the door of my cubicle summoning me to some meeting over some emergency.

Afterwards I had a serious attack of "WTF was I thinking?" but the rest is history.
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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
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  #7  
Old 08-30-2012, 09:35 AM
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Neglecting the car is correct. The owner was given his father's caddy in 2010 and stopped driving the MB. So it has two years of cruddy misuse to get through. I half expect the neglect to be the real problem with the AC.

The radiator was just something I was going to have to bite.

I have not been to visit any MBs but I have looked at all of them for sale within a few states. I have even communicated with several owners.

I have found that any of the WVO conversions for sale need air work or something else (and at least this air runs if it has a titular leak) and the ones that the owners *say* are in good condition haven't been converted.

As WVO is something I'd like to do (indeed, I'm hoping the education I get from this car will encourage me to add a system to my Suburban), I thought this car would be the best. The body is really clean. I spoke with the shop owner and he said he found no rust on the undercarriage--and he's an MB-certified feller (who is really angry that the car has been adulterated with a WVO conversion) who has been at this for 30 years, so I hope he knows what he's doing.

I'm sure I'll be back to this forum frequently, both for advice and with new knowledge I've gained. I don't expect it to be off the showroom--it will take work, but unlike my Volvo 940 which was a gift, I will have a vested interest in making this the best 240D possible--one that I can keep forever (or as long as possible).
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  #8  
Old 08-30-2012, 11:03 AM
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IF you get the car, may I SUGGEST a few things to do after you get it?

1. Oil and filter change
2. Transmission fluid change
3. Power steering fluid and filter change
4. Coolant flush (refill with correct M/B fluid)
5. Brake fluid change and pad inspection
6. New air filter and both fuel filters
7. Check/Replace the voltage regulator
8. Alignment check
9. Check rear differential gear oil level
10 Enjoy the car!!

Not going to wade too far into the WVO thing as some on here embrace it and others demonize it. If done CORRECTLY and with CARE it is a viable alternative fuel use. There is a separate alternative fuels sub-forum you can ask all the questions you need to and will usually get a straight and un-biased answer.
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2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)
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  #9  
Old 08-30-2012, 11:14 AM
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Checking the valve clearance is something i'd check on any newly purchased Mercedes. Despite my 84 300TD was fairly well sorted when i got it, the valves had been neglected for I'll bet at least 2 years. He was a wvo guy and valued the cheapness of driving on wvo. I use biodiesel and care a bit more about the engine running another 260k miles.
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  #10  
Old 08-30-2012, 11:34 AM
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It is a manual transmission. Should I still change any transmission fluids (note, this may be a stupid question, my apologies--the only manual I owned was a Geo Metro which was all crazy).

I assume there's a lesson somewhere on the Wikka about checking the valve clearance?
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  #11  
Old 08-30-2012, 11:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
It is a manual transmission. Should I still change any transmission fluids
Yes, not a bad idea, but not an issue in the same way as it is with the automatics on these old cars.

With the manual you are lubricating a gearbox. With the automatic you are ensuring a that a unit that relies on pressure and fluid moving through tiny valves has fresh, clean fluid.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmpalmer View Post
I assume there's a lesson somewhere on the Wikka about checking the valve clearance?
Oddly enough, I don't believe so. If you google for it you will find two or three sites have how-tos, including Diesel Giant and a guy named Jaime Kopchinski in NJ. I recommend you read all of them first, as from memory each seems to lack detail in certain areas. You need to purchase a set of special bent wrenches for the job. You can usually find those on eBay or through specialty tool suppliers.

If the belts are iffy, as you mentioned, you will need to get those done first as you have to turn the motor using the power steering pump pulley bolt in order to line up the cam to do each valve and that won't be happening if the belt is worn out/loose.

One more thing: for some things, you will sometimes find detailed how-to posts, some with great photos, in the forum. So always search as well as visiting the articles. Many of us find it easier to Google for stuff than to use the very weak built-in search engine here. When you use Google you can enter the term then type site: Peachparts after. Google does an excellent job returning relevant hits.
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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

Last edited by Zacharias; 08-30-2012 at 11:58 AM.
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  #12  
Old 08-30-2012, 11:50 AM
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Ah special wrenches. I actually have an old toolbox full of diesel equipment my dad had from his 200series diesel MBs. I hope they include the right ones. . .
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  #13  
Old 08-30-2012, 02:31 PM
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Well change my name to Isaac This is a Greasecar kit with a better-than-decent 240D to carry it home in rather than the best 240D you can buy for $2000. I've wrapped my mind around that.

Sixto
87 300D
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  #14  
Old 08-30-2012, 03:03 PM
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Geeez I cannot believe in my list I forgot to mention check the valves.....especially since I just did it on my 300Dd, yesterday!! I'm gettin old, no doubt about it
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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)
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  #15  
Old 08-30-2012, 03:09 PM
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Nah, we save that for the third day along with checking chain elongation while the valve cover is off. Even atheist new MB Diesel owners don't rest 'til the seventh day

Sixto
87 300D

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