PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - 300TD engine rebuild

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- - 300TD engine rebuild (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=390594)

Pull the lower oil pan off and strain the oil for debris...

If it is bottom end, you will have shards of metal there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielac (Post 3775830)

Oil pressure is normal as well. The mechanic hasn't diagnosed anything, all he told me was that it definitely wasn't coming from the top and that he'd have to dig deeper into the engine. The only reason I'm entertaining the idea of a rebuild is that for the expense of getting into the bottom end and diagnosing, not to mention repairing, I'd rather just put that money towards fixing everything and start with a like new engine. I've taken it to two very reputable Mercedes mechanics who have both told me that it's not something that they can tell simply by looking at it. I do appreciate everyone's help trying to diagnose, and I'll probably end up going that route, but for now I'd just like to know how realistic it is to do a diy rebuild if I'm patient and am willing to put the car out of commission for a few months. If it is realistic, I'd love some resources that would help guide me through it.

Rebuilding an engine isn't difficult and I think if you have common sense, a manual and torque wrench you'll be fine. If you have any doubts ask questions. You haven't acknowledged if it has been run low on oil. Then its highly unlikely it's a bottom end or rod issue, or anything bad.

Please start by checking chain stretch before you go wasting money and time. It is very much worth checking. You also really need a stethoscope to hear where the noise is from. It could be something as simple as a tensioner!

So your diesel engine is making a timid rattle and u wanna rebuild it???

If it wasn't making a rattle I'd be more worried!!

But by all means if you want to re build your engine for something fun to do then go for it. U could pull it of for sure. Just gonna cost u some bucks, time, and frustration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto (Post 3775673)

x2,...
I consider the cost of a proper rebuild prohibitive. Whatever Metric Motors (mercedesengines.net) wants for a short block, long block or complete engine is a reasonable price vs doing it yourself, but I can buy a couple of three good runners for the cost of a fresh short block. I’d look for a good running engine...

I agree.... I have the paper manuals .... they are not even easy to read... and those Germans are OCD about what they want done to do it right.. which is why your engine lasted as long as it has..

If you have the money.... go with Metric Motors .....they have a warranty... and lots of practice ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake12tech (Post 3775837)

Rebuilding an engine isn't difficult and I think if you have common sense, a manual and torque wrench you'll be fine. ...

A Chevy small-block V-8 yes. A set of 8 pistons costs <$100 and any auto machine shop knows them thoroughly, or just buy a complete "long block" for $1500. A M-B diesel, not so easy. The set of 5 new turbo pistons on ebay did drop price to $1300, so jump on that, but insure you can get other critical parts (bearings, sleeves, ...).

If you really, really need an engine, get a recently wrecked car or something that is rusting out. You'll get a bunch of extra parts or can sell the parts to pay for the engine. I bought an entire running car with an engine for $600 at 200K miles. As has been stated here, you're in for a ton of money on a rebuilt, so if you can get a good used one, you should.

These engines were extremely well built. Figure out exactly what is wrong with it before you conclude you need a rebuild. There are lots of stories on this forum about people buying good cars for super cheap because the last few mechanics couldn't figure it out.

Dkr.