Hello, newbie here. I just acquired a 1967 200D and learned it has been garaged since 1989. It is complete but I have no idea why they stopped driving it. I own numerous aircooled VWs and have owned a 300D and 300TD but they were running and driving vehicles. Just establishing I know how to turn a wrench. After 30 years I don't want to just throw in a battery and crank it over. What procedure would others recommend? I'm planning on draining fuel, checking tank, blowing out lines, but not what to do on the engine and injection pump end. I'm thinking I should pull the injectors or glow plugs to peak into the cylinders to make sure they are not rusted. If they are not, get a battery, disconnect metal fuel lines, squirt some oil on top of the cylinders, and crank it over to clear fuel lines and pump. I can't wait to drive it, it's a stick, but want to do it right. Let me know if there are any ideas I haven't though of. Thanks.

I have started mb diesels which have set for decades myself. Some of the things you plan may not be needed. If it were me I'd:
1. check to be sure it is not stuck first by rocking the car with it in third gear and the clutch engaged. If it is free good!
2. It is still a good idea to put some light oil in the cylinders such as atf or marvel mystery oil.
3. I'd check function on the glow plugs.
4. Change all filters.
5. Remove valve cover and put penetrating oil on all valves at the guide to be sure they are not stuck, then if all is working fine I'd try to start it.
6. The valves should be adjusted but it is not essential to do before starting unless it proves to not have good compression.
7. I'd also put a biocide in the fuel to kill bacteria. Diesel fuel will keep for decades in a sealed tank as long as there is not any water present. With water it will grow bacteria which will plug your filters. The biocide will kill any bacteria and allow it to come through the filters.

If you have fuel and compression it should start and run. If the glow plugs won't work you can start it by towing it and putting it in third gear.

Most old diesels like this were probably parked with simple problems such as dead glow plugs, or plugged filters.

Good luck!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I am near certain the injection pump is oil bath vs. pressure. Change the oil in the pump before starting it.

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thank you, I will add these ideas to my list of things to look at. And try to figure out what the injection pump is. The engine is a 615 so unless I am mistaken I think it is a 68 and later motor. Still learning.

Yes,I think you are right. The 200D had an OM621.918. The OM615 started in '68.

Video of the first kick please!!!

__________________

Must be a foreign diesel. They didn't make a 200D then.....

I just checked my ten# book "mercedes" and it says that the fintail was offered with a 200D starting in 68.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Manual 67 fintail diesel wow thats a good find I'd love to get my hand on something like that.

That's really cool

__________________

+1

When I win the lottery Ill have a nice fintail diesel that has been refurbished. Others want Ferraris and Corvettes - I want a fintail.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

It is a w110 200D ,correct?
-om621.918 with pes4m50c320 IP
-IP is lubricated by its own sump,plenty of threads describing how to change oil/check oil level
-you cannot peep in the cylinders unless you pull the prechambers out (leave them alone for now).Otherwise removal of intake and exhaust manifolds is an option(gasket is the same as on later models).

Loosen the generator adjustment nut and the slacken the 13mm nut at the bracket ,remove the v-belt from the pulley .
Remove the valve cover,inspect the top,pour oil on cams and rockers and oil pockets of the rear cam towers. May poke something in the oil squirter holes of the lubricating rail attached to the cam towers .
Rotate crank several revolutions (27mm deep socket) ,look for proper operation of springs and rocker arms...check for broken springs...

Check whether the timing chain tensioner is firm (apply pressure on the sprocket arm,make sure the oil pocket is full...until the tensioner is firm).
Mercedes-Benz Ponton Timing Chain Tensioner © www.mbzponton.org

With gear in neutral or P crank the engine with a remote starter switch(starting knob on the dash in "STOP" position so no fuel is injected)... until you see oil pressure building up .
The original valve cover gasket is way sturdier than on later models and requires only cleaning if it is not cracked and leaking.Don't overtighten the screws of the valve cover.

...so if it cranks and builds pressure perform an incomplete oil change(for now you can just drain the sump,leaving the filter alone and refill with the cheapest 15w-40 diesel oil..will take around a gallon and with the amount of oil in the filter body the dipstick may measure just a bit under the halfway mark...)
Then unscrew the lift pump hand primer and pump until you feel resistance(may take some time,watch for leaks)...tighten...check everything .
-press on the gas pedal and turn the idle knob fully CCW http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/117568-tell-me-about-knob.html

-and try to start (the salt shaker on the dash glowing)
Behind the wheel
...crank with gas pedal to the floor..let go when it starts.


om621 shares a lot with later engines and virtually everything has been covered in various threads in this and the Vintage forums through the years.

But first do these ...then proper oil and filter change, fuel filter(s) change,oil bath air filter check...a rubber fuel line hose here and there may need changing,injectors tune-up...might want to upgrade to faster glow plugs and install updated hand primer pump etc...

I have a chiltons foreign car repair book left from when i owned my fintail. It covers most things mechanical very accurately even though it is for a later (slightly) car.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Appreciate all the great info. Obviously I have a little more catching up to do before I get in there. Being an air cooled VW person for so long I have to read a little to figure out injection pumps. Testing glow plugs and adjusting valves I have done on my other Mercedes but since they were running vehicles I never had to touch the injection pumps.
As for what it is. Title has it listed as a 1967, it is definitely a fintail, and I was told that a previous owner may have put a later engine in it but it definitely starts with a 615 and it is a manual, so sounds like cool beans for me. I tried to attach a photo but I don't know how to scale down the size, no photo editing stuff on this computer.
Thank you again for all the great info.

That looks very nice! I think if it has the 200 diesel badge on it it was a 200 to begin with. Not surprising to me if it got the later engine sooner. That is probably a very late car. It is the same color as my old 190c. Mine was a gasser and had a vinyl navy blue interior with an ivory steering wheel. It was a pleasure to drive. Rusty floor though.

Mine had the front turn signals up on the fender near the vent window.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.