Let Us Help You Repair it Yourself!
Okay, so I bought a 1983 300D Turbodiesel. And now:
Hi all. New member as of today, and today I also picked up my 2nd Benz. I have some experience with my 1971 280S, but today, I bought my first diesel.
The cars rather amazing overall, for a black on black leather car with original paint. One owner. 200K miles. A few little problems that I already see answers and/or parts for.
Here's my concern. The car is amazingly slow from a stop to 10 or 20 MPH. Then it's decent, much like a gas car. I see an unusual "part", seemingly disconnected in the engine compartment. It's like a little frame with heavy coils inside of it. What is that part???
It seems to perform much better once it's warmed. I know NOTHING of it's history aside from a clean VIN check, one owner, 400 miles in the last 2 years and it was probably garaged.
I LOVE the car and want to really "go over" it mechanically. Is there by any chance a "checklist" or something like that for what I should do to make sure that the car is in tip-top shape?
ALSO, I need to replace the ignition key. I see the parts here, but I'm wondering, what's involved work-wise? Is there a step-by-step guide available for that? BTW - Right now, there is a key absolutely stuck in the ignition. It turns, but has no "spring action" at all. To start the car, I need to turn the key all the way clockwise, get out, open the hood and connect a wire from the positive terminal to the smaller of three wires on a block near the battery. Kind of like "hot wiring" the car, I suppose.
NO, it's not stolen. It seems to be a nice, one owner car that was traded in after 23 years to the local benz dealer, then sold at an auction to a local private dealer who hadn't a clue on how to "get it fixed" locally, without paying million-dollar-an-hour rates at the local factory dealer, he felt.
Anyway, just how difficult is it replace that assembly? I understand these cars have a "vacuum locked" steering wheel? That's the first repair on my list, but I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction as to how to do that, as well as that "general checklist" of ALL items to be checked/replaced to make certain that everything is tip-top.
Sorry to ramble on. I'm excited, and partially because of the amazing support that I seem to be finding on internet, some ten years after I worked the bugs out of my first car.
Thanks in advance. Hope to make this one perfect again... : )
Nicholas - Hazleton, Pennsylvania
The Books are a Great Help!
Hello Kaia
Thanks for the Books.. They are a great help.. I have all the factory manuals and the books you publish are easier to read and I was able to get ... Read More
- Diesel Fuel Injector Balance ( Pop ) Bench Tester New Release Special - Projected Shipping Date June 15
- 601 601 603 Diesel Engine Injector Heat Shield Crush Washers (6)
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83 300D Turbo Diesel
Hello !
Greetings from Greentown PA ! First I just recently aquired an 82 300D Turbo with 220,000 something miles. Here are a few things I ran into so far that you need to look for and know about !
First there are two rubber plates that connect the drive shaft to the rear dif and tranny. These dry rot over time. This is important so take heed. ( I got stranded and lost three days of work due to this issue )
Jack up the car and take a flashlight ( the front one is up in there where it's dark ). Take a look and you will see the round rubber connector plate ( dealer sales person called it a plate )with 6 bolts going thru it. Check to be sure it is nice and new and not dry rotted or compromised. They are about $70 at the dealership and you don't want it shredding up on you. Mine did and the bolts pushing the other bolts was the only thing pushing the car down the road. I got a used one from Harry's U-pull -it ( yea, they have a few mercedes there ) for $5 and it's holding me untill I order a new one.
Next if your running diesel - keep her warm. I also got stranded those last few 0 degree F nights even with diesel 911 brand additive. ( I havn't a garage yet ) so I went to Nappa Auto parts and got whats called a tank heater 1500 Watts about $60 ( hooks to the radiator line to heat the engine, ran it from a grey plumbing tee from hardware store from heater core line from the water pump and teed into the return atop the block on the other side ) and plug it in a few houres before work and the engine starts like it's mid summer, even heats the heater core for a warm ride right off the bat.
I also had to replace the glow plugs and fuel filters, a good idea if it's been sitting. Also I had to remove the radiator line heater valve as it wasn't working anymore and would cut off the heat. Removal works great for now. All else is the regular 77-85 Mercedes Turbo diesel service stuff. Any how good luck !
Available manuals
Hi Nicholas, many of the Mercedes manuals I have written directly address the issues and concerns you have about your 300D. Just click on the blue links to go directly to them.
I am currently working on instructions to remove and replaced a failed ignition lock assembly. This can be a difficult task. Should be done by end of the week. I also have a good used ignition lock assembly with key for your car. Happy wrenching, Kent
: )
I've owned at least 15 cars, but am completely sold on the overall quality of these vintage benzes. The '83 diesel has me raving about "how great these cars are..." Come to think of it, I felt the same way about my first one too...
I just found a problem with a suspension arm, but aside from that, the car is getting close to tip-top shape now.
The mercedessource manuals have been AWESOME. Been working through them, inspecting and whatnot and am amazed at how much more power the car now has, thanks to what I learned here and with their manuals.
The diesel purge did work wonders. There was oil in the ALDA banjo fitting. No doubt, the fuel filters were severely clogged.
The ignition lock/key replacement went fairly smoothly. I think that problem particulary scared the dealer into giving me a great deal on this car.
Can't wait till I'm done with this one. The resources here have convinced me to start with my '71 280S, which I've had parked for a couple of years. lol - already looking around at SL's too. : )
Thanks for the advice. I just LOVE the car. I hope the suspension problem is as managable as the other repairs... : )
NSA - Hazleton, Pennsylvania