Oh lordy! Hep me! My 300SD just died!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chronicnetguy · #1 05-19-2004, 03:25 PM

Hi, guys.
Before I start with my sad story, many thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to share your expertise. I got my 82 300SD about 15 months ago, after lurking your posts extensively. I then continued to lurk your posts, 'cause you guys have already put up the answer to just about every question (if a person has time to research). For that reason, I've never had to post. Now I'm in a time crunch.

I love this car. It's gold, beautiful, fun to drive and, well, weird (the whole diesel thing). I have babied it, installed a new Alpine CD player, MB Quarts speakers and a new, low-profile subwoofer that was intended for Subaru. I wash it and put back in the garage on every outing more than 100 miles. Bought a WVO kit for it that I was about to install.

Last night, my girlfriend was driving my baby back from a business appointment. I get a panic call from her that the car started losing power, shaking, then she pulled over, there was a pop and a lot of smoke... car dead. I went to get her, saw that the oil filler cap had blown off, and oil was everywhere. Had the car towed to my favorite shop (Mercedes Auto Repair in Lakewood, Tacoma).

Today, the bad news: Apparently, something went wrong with one cylinder. It's leaking badly, no compression. This caused an increase in positive pressure (I don't pretend to understand that, that's just what they said) blew the oil cap off, and now it's toast.

The options I was given were:
1. Buy a new Mercedes engine for about $8500. Nice idea, but not doable.

2. Buy a remanufactured engine for about 5K-- also not doable.

3. Get a decent used engine (guesstimate was about 1K to buy and 15 hours of labor to put it in). This might be doable.

4. Repair the existing engine. He estimated costs at somewhere between 3-5K, as they're not sure exactly how much and what was damaged.

As much as I hate to consider it, if I can't come up with an affordable way to "heal" this girl, I may have to break down and just sell it broken, invest the difference in another car.

Sorry for the length of this post. But I have to get back to the mechanic with a decision in 24 hours. If anyone knows any cost-effective options for this situation, or perhaps a decent source for used engines, your input would be appreciated.

Have a good one,
Steve

84300DT · #2 05-19-2004, 03:44 PM

to start with, how many miles on the car/engine?

and besides that i see you said it was your favorite shop but if i were you i would immy get the car towed out of that mechanic's sight asap. anyone that would take that situation and slap a 24hr time deadline on me, as an existing customer especially, would not see me again fullstop.

my .02

chronicnetguy · #3 05-19-2004, 04:46 PM

I 'spose it would be intelligent to say how many miles. Right at 170K. Car only had about 165K when I got it, had the engine checked before purchase, excellent compression on all cylinders. The mechanic didn't really give me a 24hr deadline, I was just trying to give him an idea what I intended to do, rather than just leave my car sitting there.

84300DT · #4 05-19-2004, 04:58 PM

chronic,
that is not a lot of miles on the body or
engine.
hmm. if it were me
i guess i would ask myself this - ''could i buy another car like this one with a re-built engine for $3k?"

and then expect to drive another 200k miles.

and/or what would be the worth of the car in then end if i install a used engine.

personally i think i would go for the rebuild as a used engine will prolly at least have as many miles on it as yours.
you could check with these folks just to see
http://mercedesdismantlers.com//usedmercedesparts.html

#5 05-19-2004, 05:08 PM

A used engine sounds like the best bargain... unless you can afford to have your engine repaired. Buying a new or rebuilt engine sounds like it's out of the question.

It sounds like your mechanic is straight forward with you and is giving you reasonable time and price estimates. Always a good thing.

Good luck, and sorry about your misfortune.

Oh yeah, one more thing... I would try and keep the car if it's financially possible. It has fairly low miles and sounds like it's in very good condition.

#6 05-19-2004, 05:41 PM

Try searching this site for a used. Looks like they are running $1350- $1000.
http://www.car-part.com/
Almost a guaranty that this will cost more than any estimate you are given... "Might as well change those motor mounts while we have it out, might as well replace the transmission seal, might as well $$$$....

whunter · #7 05-19-2004, 07:18 PM

Buy a used engine.
Install it your self.
The engine R&R is easy, ask others.
You will save lots of money.

Muddin · #8 05-19-2004, 07:27 PM

I don't pretend to know these cars well. But I've had lots of experiance with cars.
With that I will say this.

You love your car. You know your car. Have the motor rebuilt. It will be hard to find another car in good shape in that price range....and who knows what grimlins would be lurking in another car.

And if this seal and that seal and this mount and that mount need to be replaced...go ahead and do it. It will be a long time before you'll have to do it again

dc88168 · #9 05-19-2004, 08:02 PM

You can pick up your engine free here if still available:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=94473

David
_______________
1985 300D Turbo

ned2683 · #10 05-20-2004, 01:08 AM

same thing happened to my other car. the dip stick pop out while going on the highway. i had to say i was pushing her a lil hard (100+mph on a 350K motor) and it emptied out all the oil.

sorry to hear about what happened. maybe u should search around and find another one? while parting out/selling this one?

william rogers · #11 05-20-2004, 01:31 AM

175 K is not high milage for a 617 at all not unusal for them to go twice that many miles. sounds like something let go in that cylinder and took the top out of the piston out. Sure would be interesting to pull the head and look at the damage before you make a decision(can you do that yourself or have any friends that could?). A good SD is about as good as thay get.if the rest of the car, body, tranny, interior and so on are good I would do what you can afford to repair it.........

P.E.Haiges · #12 05-21-2004, 10:37 AM

Cronic,

First you tell how much you love your MB then you won't spend much to keep it going. What kind of love is that?

First thing would be to find out exactly what is wrong with your engine and get a price on fixing your engine.

If you don't fix your car, what kind of car are you going to replace it with? If you expect to get much for your MB not running, You won't. If you are thinking of buying another car for the amount you sell your broken MB for, you won't get much either.

What I am saying is that the lowest cost in the long run would be to repair your MB.

P E H

#13 05-21-2004, 06:03 PM

P.E. Haiges,
You have well stated the the axiom, "Sunk costs, are sunk costs" You cannot recover sunk costs, so in truth you start everyday with a car that has no real cost to you. Might as well go with repairs, unless you just want to walk for a while.
I am amused by the discussions I hear at times that their cars are investments. I figure they are either fools, or are they need to get another investment banker.

whunter · #14 05-21-2004, 06:48 PM

I love my cars.
There comes a point with any car when you must stop putting money in it.
I am a RROC member (Rolls-Royce Owners Club), even a Rolls-Royce or Bentley reaches the point of no return.
That however is a very personal decision IMHO.

I still say:
Buy a used engine.
Install it yourself.
The engine R&R is easy, ask others.
You will save lots of money.

Have a great day.

P.E.Haiges · #15 05-22-2004, 09:12 AM

whunter,

The engine R&R is only easy if chronic has a work area with a chain hoist, the correct tools to do the job and a helper.

And even if chronic has all of the above, its not that easy for a novice. Would want a novice to R&R the engine in your car?

P E H