98 E300 Turbodiesel - Things to look at
 

I ran across a 98 E300 with the OM606 turbo motor. The car has 260K on it and the seller says there are no mechanical issues. I am thinking of buying this as a backup to the DD and then eventual motor donor for a Jeep build I am planning.

What kind of things should I look for specific to the motor? I have no direct experience with Mercedes diesels. I have been researching them for better than 6 months but reading info on the web is never as good as direct knowledge. My intent is to do nothing but required maintenance to it while it is in the car then swap the IP to an OM603 mechanical pump when it goes in the Jeep.

Thanks

Check the entire pulley tensioning system.Check for fuel leaks at the injectors, delivery valves, and injector return lines.
Have him start the engine while it's STONE COLD, if the engine surge's, shakes, makes odd noises, and blows white or blue smoke walk away.


When driving, pay close attention too how the car downshifts, there shouldn't be any clunking sound of clunky feeling downshifts. If it clunky there's a chance the rear differential is shot, it's DONE, as far as I know you cant buy a new one.


Check for how the car tracks, if pulls one side steering components are shot or a brake caliper is stuck.

If the end goal is simply a motor donor, you can buy these cars with rusty bodies or broken spring perches for close to scrap value. Why pay thousands more for a driver grade car when all you want is the engine? It's a stout motor, but at 260k any car will have a fair amount of "deferred maintenance" that needs addressing. As always, the more maintenance records the seller has, the better.

Check for the common fuel leaks at the IP, the plastic fuel lines under the manifold. If they are brown, they're old and need to be replaced. That's a good bargaining point. If the glow plug light comes on after it's been running that means a plug is out. That's common. The glow plugs can be a nightmare if you don't use my trick I've pioneered.

The w210 is a fantastic car. Just check for common rust at the rockers and perches. Both are easy fixes if you know your way around a welder.

The number one thing with people selling Diesel's, imo, is that they will warm it up a little before you get there.

Like FoG said, make sure u can start it from 100% cold and see how it runs.