i need some help with a 1980 300sd. I found it in the paper for 900 dollars. the engine has 20 lbs in number 4 cylinder. the question i have is could it be in the valves having low compession or would it be the piston?

It could be the valves. If they have not been adjusted in a very long time the valve/seat could be gone. I would be surprised if that was the problem because I would at least expect the people selling the car to fix the "easy" stuff first unless they are just tired of the car and don't want to put any $$ into it.

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Jim

Cooty,

A wet and dry compression test should tell you whether it is a valve or piston/ring leak.

You might also check the clearance on the valves in the cylinder with the low compression reading. If either valve is tight, that could be what is causing the low compression reading.

P E H

thanks engatwork & PEH
the older couple that own the vehicle i think are tired of having it. i spoke with the gentle about it. he bought it from the original owner in 84. from my understanding the guy doesnt know much about cars. he said that this was the 2nd engine in it. he toasted the first one. he doesnt know how many miles are on it. all i was looking for was the wheels,, injecter the new glow plugs, injector pump and other handy items to have.
cooty

Cooty,

THat's the way to buy parts. You get a lot of parts for $900. You could part it out and get a lot more for the parts.

5 years ago I bought a 300SD parts car for $1200. It ran so good I'm still driving it. Its getting rustier and in a year or 2 it will be a real parts car. But I sure got my moneys worth out of it. Only a couple hundred in repairs for 45,000 miles.

P E H

Cooty
You can't have too many parts cars of you have the room, not exactly the way my wife looks at it tho.

Good luck

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"