Hi, I'm hoping you wonderful people here could give me some advice.
I recently bought a 240D that's running well, etc. but I am a complete novice. I bought it with the intention of learning how to work on it. The car had sat for about 5 years before I bought it.
Just today, however, I checked the coolant (under radiator cap) and noticed a lot of oil sludge in there... this looks like really bad news. What does this sound like to you? I'm considering selling it because this sounds like a headache of a head gasket(?) job.
Please let me know what you think it could be, or what you would do if you were me. The car is in otherwise great shape!

Sounds bad. Where are you located? I happen to have a 240D engine that I need to get rid of (runs perfectly as of pulling it out of my car to swap in a 300D engine). If you're somewhere near the bay area in CA I'd be happy to give you a good deal on it, and you can use my engine hoist etc...

Edit: check first also for coolant in the oil...

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'83 240D 4 spd. manual - Undergoing OM617 transplant - Soon for sale.

'97 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 5-spd. WVO - Not stock. - For sale!

'06 Sprinter

Just checked- no coolant in oil, luckily. Unfortunately I'm in Texas, not close to the bay area at all but thanks for the input!

Welcome to the forum domlemart, I'm attaching a link to our tech articles on the W123 below. This will be super beneficial and helpful to you if you're looking to learn how to work on your car. Everything is broken down by section with an easy step-by-step guide. Hope this is useful!

Mercedes-Benz W123 300TD Wagon (1977 - 1985) Technical Article Directory- Pelican Parts


-Dmitry

Long shot, but does it have an automatic transmission with a cooler built into the radiator?

Possible that cooler failed and is dumping trans fluid into the radiator, which would give you a similar oil sludge. Radiator replacement would be much easier than head gasket, although if you've gotten coolant in your transmission there could be issues there as well.

Good luck.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

X2

Another indication of a head gasket issue is after the car has been driven and the engine is nice and hot park the Car and come bace in 1-2 hours and see if the upper radiator hose feels firm and inflated. If so you have a head gasket leak.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Unfortunately it's stick shift car... I decided not to wait around to find out what exactly is wrong with the car and sold it because I was getting a strong feeling that that way lay madness (or big ticket expenses for things a newbie such as myself can't fix).

Thanks for all the input everyone!

Too bad it is so far away or ida bot it.

When you come across another one, give us a ring, we`ll leave the light on for you.
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works