Hey guys,

I had my turbo rebuilt (81 300SD 180k miles) because there was a lot of shaft play and it was leaking a lot of oil. I had minor blow-by and I was hoping that was the cause of it. Most turbos on these cars seem to last longer, so I'm worried something else caused the fail, but I'm not sure what.

I haven't done a "dancing cap test" since the rebuild but will soon. The company that rebuilt the turbo said that it will still smoke for a little while after the rebuilt turbo is installed due to the residual oil in the system.

Are worn turbos known to cause blow by? I still have not figured this out. Also, other than the air filter, is there anything that may still be soaked with oil that I should replace? Again, the turbo guys said that in time there will be no smoke caused by the turbo after driving the car around, but they're turbo guys and not Mercedes guys, so I figured I'd check here!

I was looking at this recently posted thread and his photo gave me the idea about maybe needing to replace some other things.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355720-turbo-oil-seal-gone-1991-350sdl.html

Thanks!

I really don't think that the turbo causes what, more blow by. I don't think so. You have compression with or without the turbo, though cylinder pressure will go up with additional boost. I wouldn't be too worried by what you think is a worn out turbo on a low mileage car. You are dealing with a 1980 vintage car that you have had how long? Unless you or your family got the car new 35 years ago and you have a paper trail to verify mileage, you have no idea of how many miles might be on that turbo. Indicated mileage means next to nothing on these old Mercedes. Regarding the air filter unit, that all get pretty oily in short order, yet they seem to get all the air they need.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!