I have a number of items I want to take care of on my 1983 300SD but have to do it over the next couple of months.

In what order should I do them in relation to the most important. The car is running great. I am starting to hear some nailing in first gear only. I am getting about 29 MPG. with 266,000 miles on the car. I have had the car for about 60,000 miles and the previous owner had the car for 4 years with no real work done on it. Here is what I would like to do

1) valve adjustment - Has not been done as of yet.
2) timing chain - probably the original one
3) injectors - could be the originals
4) Deisel purge - Has never been done to my knowledge

I run about 40,000 miles per year with 90% being on the highway running the car 1 to 2 hours straight per trip.

Check your timing chain first and while the valve cover is off check valve adjustment the other stuff is not needed if the car is running well.
Remember "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

I would also change over to Mobil Delvac...

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

DP,

I would do the valve adjustment and timing chain check first as they are done together when the valve cover is off. You should also make sure the chain tensioner is working properly, IE keeping the chain tight. If the chain jumps a tooth, you stop rapidly and need a tow truck.

When doing the valve adjustment, always measure clearance first as some valves may not need adjustment. I did a clearance measurement at 25,000 miles since last adjustment and all valves were within spec and didn't need to be adjusted.

P E H

IMO, 1,2, and 4 are all quick and easy and should pay back nicely.

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

I also would suggest adjusting valves and checking and replacing chain (if needed) as a good place to start. But I also would urge anyone who suspects they have an injector "nailing"(injecting fuel too early) to not drive another mile until they have had their injectors checked/repaired. I've seen the inside of an engine(240D) that I'm pretty sure had this problem and it was ugly! Broken piston and multiple cracks in the head in one cylinder. I have the injectors out of a 300D, at the moment , for this very reason.

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Diesel-guy

what does nailing sound like? I'm new to diesels and to my 5cyl turbo D so I have no clue what is normal diesel knock and what is nailing. (and right now its my only form of transportation)

__________________
"If anyone knows other lessons I need to learn, please tell me. I'm tired of learning them the hard way".
by JerryBro

The Glow Plug Wait: This waiting period is a moment of silence to pay honor to Rudolph Diesel. The longer you own your diesel the more honor you will give him". by SD Blue

My normal daily life; either SNAFUed- Situation Normal... All Fouled Up, or FUBARed- Fouled Up Beyond All Repair

62 UNIMOG Camper w/617 Turbo, 85 300SD daily driver- both powered by blended UCO fuels

Do a search on nailing as it's been brought up many times. Suffice it to say that if your engine was nailing, you'd ask the forum about the sound before concerning yourself with valve adjustment and chain stretch.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... any takers at $1100?

83 300