300TD info - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jerryyoung · #1 06-02-2003, 03:56 PM

While out to lunch (no SA remarks

) today, spotted a 300TD that may be for sale. Questions:

1) Are there certain year models to steer clear from?
2) What years did the 300TD have the turbo?
3) Is it feasible to add a turbo?
4) What things should I look out for?
5) Does the 300TD have decient performance or are they slow?

If the is a source where the above questions can be answered, please direct me.

Thanks

leathermang · #2 06-02-2003, 05:32 PM

Dieseldiehard pretty much nailed that answer... so this is just color commentary..
Turbo on wagon started sometime in 1981.. I owned one is only reason I know that ...
The 1985 turbo is different from others, possibly making finding a replacment a little harder or more expensive. However, they almost never fail compared to gas engines because the run so much cooler.. Just be sure they have good supply of oil... and let the engine idle for a minute after being out on the road...
short list... turbo had less compression ratio, oil squirters to cool the pistons from underneath... extremely important.
THey are wonderful out on the road.. amazingly steady... and mine got 27 miles per gallon at 75 mph with almost 300K on it...
Love the wagons...

jerryyoung · #3 06-03-2003, 04:06 PM

Thanks guys, for all the info. No, I've not had a chance to drive the car as yet. I did not see a "Turbodiesel" logo on the hatchback, may be missing. Are the non turbo cars still an acceptable performer once on the move? I once had a VW diesel that couldn't get out of it's own way

! I will take the "check list" with me when I go back to look at the car more closely.
Thanks much!

ricci · #4 06-03-2003, 04:48 PM

Hello,
I too have been looking for the same car. I have a question that you might want to know the answer to as well: What is a trap oxidizer? Is it a problem?
where is it? Thank you and good luck!!!
ricci.

sixto · #5 06-03-2003, 05:58 PM

A trap oxidizer is something of a catalytic converter. The trouble is that MB put it upstream of the turbo. They've been known to disintegrate and send shrapnel(sp?) into the turbo. Sometimes the shrapnel finds its way into the cylinders. There was a recall on all trap oxider cars to remove the trap oxiders. I believe the recall is still in effect. You might even get a new turbo out of it.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

R Leo · #6 06-03-2003, 06:11 PM

Now I can't find where I got this info, but the 1983 TD is actually LIGHTER than the sedan.

..from a Post-It stuck to my computer so it has to be true:
300TD - 3549.3 lbs
300D - 3582.4 lbs

Regards all,
R

ricci · #7 06-03-2003, 08:37 PM

Ok. was the oxidizer on all 85's? If I looked at an engine Photo of my potential car what would the oxidizer look like?

Thanks, ricci

sixto · #8 06-03-2003, 09:05 PM

It will looks like an American football wrapped in a dimpled aluminum sheet. Impossible to miss. The replacement piece is a hefty pipe covered in a dimpled aluminum sheet. You can get both hands around the pipe, not around the trap oxidizer... unless you're Shaq or Yao Ming. Compared to other 617 applications, the air cleaner won't be a cylinder beside the valve cover, it'll be a box behind the right headlight.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

ricci · #9 06-03-2003, 10:23 PM

Thanks sixto,
Did you mean the round air cleaner ment no trap oxidizer? Did the 85's all have trap oxidizers?
ricci

sixto · #10 06-04-2003, 12:46 AM

I'm 99% sure a round air cleaner means no trap oxidizer. I don't know if all 85s had trap oxidizers. All California 85-87s had trap oxidizers.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

lrg · #11 06-04-2003, 12:59 AM

In '85 only California cars had traps. In '87 they all did. You should be able to tell on the data plate if you have a California car. Also the air cleaner on the '85 CA version is round but it's more like the size of a large coffee can. It's easy to spot the 49 state cars as the air cleaner is basically right on top of the turbo. FYI, the '85 factory retrofit to a trap catalyst looks exactly like the earier oxidizer, round aluminum football shape. In '87 the retrofit was much smaller.

rickjordan · #12 06-05-2003, 11:54 AM

Jerry, from reading everyone's remarks, it seems everyone is assuming the TD you saw was a W123 chassis. If indeed it only said "Turbo" on the right hand side of the rear hatch, then you are looking at a W124 chassis TD. This car has a 6 cyl., 3.0 liter, 143 bhp., turbo diesel engine. MB dropped the "Turbo Diesel" for this chassis, why? I don't know. I just recently bought one myself. 1987 is the only year MB brought that car to the U.S., approx. 1100 of them. The "trap" should of already been replaced, if not you can have it done at a dealer, free of charge. It's a ongoing recall. Did the TD you saw have round headlights or square?

jerryyoung · #13 06-05-2003, 04:57 PM

Rick,
I couldn't see the front of the car from the road. The owner was not around so I could only see a portion of the car. From what I recall, the was no decal/script on the hatchback that said 'Turbo" or "Turbodiesel". I hope to get back for a better look and hopefully a drive tomorrow. I thanks everyone very much for the info to date. If I purchase the car, I most definitely will be asking more questions!
Thanks

rickjordan · #14 06-05-2003, 10:33 PM

Ok. Here is another way to tell, were the white back-up lights in the bumper or incorporated with the tail lights? If the reverse lights are in the bumper, it's a W123 chassis. Heres another clue, the W123 has a chrome roof rack, chrome trim,etc. The W124 has a black roof rack and unpainted plastic bumper covers.

jerryyoung · #15 06-06-2003, 02:57 PM

Rick,
Went to see the car at noon, owner was not there

. However, I got a better look at the car:
Has round headlights
-Backup lights are in the bumper
-Chrome roof rack
-No indication of "turbo" anywhere
-Paint is dull but looks like it can be buffed out
-NO visible rust
-No visible dents/damage
-RR side of car seems to be lower than rest of car (there looked like there was a lot of "stuff" in the car so may have been loaded down on that side, also was no on real flat ground (does this car have hydro-pneumatic suspension?
-Don't know the mileage, couldn't see the odometer

So, I guess we have a non-turbo car in the 1978 to 81 range in fair to good condition. Iknow the is subjective but roughly what would the car be worth?
Thanks

Ay