Greasy,

Try Castrol Syntech synthetic oil 5W50. My '79 300SD used 1/3 the oil after using Syntech for 30,000 miles.

I can't gurantee it will work for you but it worked for me.

P E H

I second that, I've heard of many synthetics doing that noticeably in 10k miles. How is the blowby at idle?

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I drive a 1979 300SD everyday. That car is literally one of THE best MBs ever built. I don't know what someone was talking about referring to cheap plastic parts. My dash has NO cracks. Find any other MB that doesn't. It is blue also, which always tend to crack. My seats still look brand new. Of course mfor the back, they have the typical problem of bad seat springs. My front seats still have original pads and springs and the car has 195k miles on it now. Always starts. Start when it was 20 degrees outside with Delvac synthetic and 1 glow plug out. GP has since been replaced. Suspension IS different from w126. W116's don't have the guide/track rod of w123 and w126. Mine has CC but it is the only thing that doesn't work at all. I just bought a servo off Jim Harris here for something like 85$ or so? Works great now. You will probably need to have the suspension replaced like mine. I have done tie-rod ends, idler bushings, GP's, and used tires. I paid $1100 for it! From the original LADY owner. Some records, not a lot. She had a $900 service done where they did all fluids and the torque links in the rear. They also did valves, etc. Then, after 5 months of owning the car, some lady rear ends me in her '94 Grand Am. Did $84 dollars to hers and did $3000 to mine. Explain that one folks! Well, the car a little more rust than I thought and those parts didn't hold up well. Insurance totalled my car out at $3,800. I got a check for $1500 since I wanted to keep it. I found a guy to rebend the frame and bondo out all the old rust. Now looks brand new! I paid $900 for the body work. Wow, I got side-tracked! Anyways, the car is AMAZING to drive at a 100mph. My '79 is in better cosmetc/mechanical condition then my friend with a '72 280SEL 4.5. And his has a lot of power. Even he admits mine is more comfortable and has a better ride than the w108. I am going to put upper control arms on next weekend and also do the ball joints. I don't know how it could make it ride better, but I know I need them and the car rides great now! Oh yeah, they also did rear chocks with that service and a new NAPA battery. I get compliments on my car all the time and I never regret getting my car. I do still want a fintail, that is the only thing I want more than my car. A few people make fun of me for driving an old diesel car but I am the only one at my school who drives a Mercedes-Benz, and it is a private catholic school.
Thanks
David

P.S.
If it is wet outside, I can even chirp the tires when going into 2nd gear, AFTER getting tires! Only when wet though! Anyways, go for it. I'd even give you my personal phone number if you ever had any problems.

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2452790178&category=46094

Well I am going to look at this 79 300 SD tomorrow and hope it turns out to be a good one. I have also looked at all the posts on the servo and just found one on Ebay. Looks very expensive to me. I just hope the Climate Control problem on this car is not the servo. If the car is a POS then I will keep driving..

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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

If you do need a servo. Jim Harris here, (can't remember his screen name), would have one. He has like 30 parts cars or something? I hope he doesn't mind me saying this. he has a big thread in parts about 123, 115, 116, 126 parts. nice guy,
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I just met Rick from Augusta he decided not to purchase the 300 SD. It is for sale for $1600 OBO.
prplgl@yahoo.com
Robin