1987 300D Turbo - valves / cam / timing chain
 

I went to my brothers car today to start it and it makes some funny noises.

1) when you start the car, I think that the starter is making a grinding noise. One of my friends said that the bendix is worn out. Is this true? Can it be replaced only, or does a new starter need to be purchaces.

2) at idle you can notice a tapping noise, and at higher rpm you can notice it more. Do the valves need to be adjusted? Do I need to replace the timing chain / tentioner, etc? I have been around cars most my life, but IM only 19 and I fear that I may screw up my brothers car. I have been consulting my CD manual and I cant tell what the problem is. Could someone please help?

Austin

I put in an oil thickener, and it helped. No more noise.

Austin

The valves on the 87 300D use hydraulic lifters and are not manually adjusted like the older diesels.

Ken300D

Yeah, I figured out that they are hydraulic lifters via reading the manual. So I just put in an oil treatment for now. How long do you think the lifters will last?

Austin

I don't really know. To me its partly luck and partly good maintenance on the part of changing oil and oil filter often.

I also use STP Oil Treatment with every oil change which by my results has some possibility of helping. My Chevy S-10 has 345k on it with no engine work other than the water pump (and routine things like spark plugs, air filters, etc.) I have other vehicles with over 300K but I don't know the service history. The truck I've had from mile 000,003. Pretty amazing for a gasolene auto engine.

There is a bit of tapping noise on my 87 300D at idle but it goes away over about 1500 rpm. Its essentially what I expect from a diesel engine, a little more noise.

There are some threads here about replacing the brittle O-rings on the oil filter cover shaft - the thing that sticks down through the middle of the oil filter. Having fresh o-rings is thought to keep more oil up near the valve train when the engine is off, rather than have it leak down overnight.

Ken300D

Ken,

I know about the orings. Thanks for reminding me. I think that I am just going to use some 20W50 oil instead of 15W40 for the next oil change. And I am going to change the orings.

Thanks for your help,

Austin