Hi All,

Just picked up this beauty last week for 500$. It's potentially going to be a resto project.
Bought it cheap because it needed a sway bar, everyone I talked to said it would be a nightmare. Well I rolled it in the shop and we got her knocked out in about 6 to 7 hours with two people. Not bad.
Now that I got to drive it I have to figure out the rest of it, and essentially decide if I want it or if I want to send it down the road.

Issues so far: As always all advice and Ideas are welcome

1. Take off feels super slow like the turbo is not spooling, are these vacuum controlled? I may have vacuum issues because if I pump the brake pedal continuously the pedal will get hard, like the power assist is gone. Or the slow take off may be trans related, not sure yet.
2. Tach don't work, any common issues with that? Things to look for first?
3. Climate control doesn't work haven't looked into that at all yet.

That's really all the mechanical issues I found other than some loose steering and need of some new brake pads.
The only rust issues visible top or bottom we found are front fenders and lower rockers.

Over all I like the car just curious if others out there think the project is worth the time and money, considering I can do it all myself.

Everyone at my shop always tells me that I always watch all these car resto shows, (Fast N' Loud) my favorite right now, that we should do a car at the shop. Well this is the best I could find that peaked my interest and my wallet.

Engine runs GREAT and starts immediately. ODO works and reads 264K.

One last thing is that there is a water separator with fuel heater that looks like someone did at one point or was going to put in a WVO conversion. Anyone think its useful to me if I'm not doing veggie oil or should I just take it out.

Attached Thumbnails

     

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Ed
92 300D 2.5 TURBO

One more thing I forgot to mention, there is a vacuum junction or control unit on top of the valve cover. What is it? There are two lines on the bottom of it not connected to anything. Are they supposed be empty or are there supposed to be lines attached to it.

Thanks
Again

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Ed
92 300D 2.5 TURBO

Nice car, good price!

The brake problem is because you need a new master cylinder...

Does look like there is or was a wvo system....would suggest removing it all and if there isn't a second tank in the car....plan on removing the fuel tank to clean the gunk out and replace the tank screen....new filters, new injectors too....do a diesel purge to help remove the gunk from the fuel system...or run b100 biodiesel...

The vacuum box on the valve cover is factor....it controls the egr and transmission.... The egr can be disabled but you still need part of it to operate the transmission..

Probably needs a valve adjustment too....start reading articles on service on this site...

http://dieselgiant.com/valveadjustment.htm

Our best saying....there is no such thing as a cheap Mercedes.....prepare to spend a lot of time on this car and watch the car eat 2k in parts in a matter of minutes...

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Congrats on the purchase. If you like to DIY, this car is a great project.

For the slow start, check the boost line to the alda. It's a clear line that goes from a banjo-bolt on the back of the intake manifold to a switch on the firewall and then to the alda, mounted on the injection pump. Many times, these become clogged and stops the boost enrichment.

Climate control may be as simple as a fuse. But it is likely to be more. Here is a link to help sort some of the problems out: Mercedes-Benz 126 Service Manual Library

Brakes sound like a possible vacuum pump valve. There is a rebuild kit available that contains new valves.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

woo hoo!!! You have Euro headlights!!!! Congrats and welcome.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

There is an adjustment / set screw that was turned on my 300SD that made it run like a whole 'nother car. It was on the port side of the engine, and it was turned by an MB shop foreman for me as a favor, after test driving how sloow my car took off, a lot of years ago. I failed to pay enough attention at the time to what the screw set was called or for, but it made the car rocket after then, with little throttle pressure to get the car going. It may be as simple as that. Others may be able to help you with checking that out. Good looking car! I love it's color!

the hard brakes have nothing to do with a bad master cylinder, it's either the booster, or the vacuum pump/check valves.

euro headlights are a nice bonus on there, but the fuel heater is a scary sign... how does your fuel filler neck look? is it all crudded up? I have that same heater on my car, and the PO drove it with VO in the main tank... need a pipe wrench to take the filler cap off...

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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!

If it is a good quality Water separator you can leave it on.

I would ditch the extra Fuel Heater Hoses.

The slowness could be Filter issues.

The Turbo does not kick in until about 2000 rpms so you can't blame slow low end performance on it.
When My Car was scary slow like that My Linkages were really sloppy.
With the Engine cold hold onto the Throttle Lever right at the Fuel Injection Pump and have someone step slowly on the Accelerator Pedal and watch to see how much movement is in the Linkages.

This Engine needs periodic Valve adjustments and not having them adjusted properly can also slow the Car Down.

The Mileage on the Car?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Rust would kill the deal. Make a parts list & then decide based on what you'll have when done. I have an 84 that will likely be a parts car because others can be had in better shape for not much money.

Even only counting parts, one can only have so many projects and when everything you look at needs repairs even if you have the ability, the car turns to parts.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

MB egr fun - YouTube

Those vac lines on top of the cam cover.

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83 SD

84 CD