OT but diesel engine related

Wesley Stephens · Oct 19, 2011

I just bought an 81 300 sd Mercedes diesel. It has 159000 miles on it and I don't know a whole lot about it except that is has been sitting up a while. The car is not the best to look at but runs good and starts easily. The only thing is I'm getting a lot of smoke. The only other turbo diesel I've messed with is our MF 1105 and it smokes because the seals in the turbo are gone to the point you can look at the turbo and see the oil seeping out. I haven't gotten that far into the car yet. Is there anything else I need to look at with this engine or is it probably just worn out? I've had lots of experience with old naturally aspirated Perkins motors, but not turbocharged Mercedes ones.

Brad Gyde · Oct 19, 2011

Wesley,

I have no experience with the Mercedes line, but I'd think at 159 you have ALOT of miles left in it..

Some thoughts: Since it sat, it could be possible the rings set up.. I'd try to do a compression check and see where it falls.

Could also be injector problems, dumping excess fuel. If the compression check turns out, I'd have the injectors pop tested.

Turbo seal also possible.

I bought a 760 Massey combine (6.354T engine) once, showed around 2k hours on it, and could tell it was not the best maintained.. Smoked like mad.. Was told it used ALOT of oil.. I drove it home (about 2 hours) and used maybe half a quart.. Worked it hard, never seemed to consume much more, but I know it had a turbo issue, as it was blowing oil on the firewall, and you could see the oil all over the inside of the turbo.

When I junked it, a friend took the engine.. He robbed the injectors to be rebuilt for their 1135.. They were in need of attention the rebuilder told him, but never ran the motor with different injectors to say that would cure most of the problem.

Brad

504 · Oct 19, 2011

I had a 190D non turbo, smoked like a train but ran good and got 35MPG (1968)

oldtanker · Oct 20, 2011

Run it a bit if it has been setting, could be that the seals just need exercise.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · Oct 20, 2011

Before you start tearing into anything. Run it as close to empty as possible then make sure it has fresh fuel in it. Then get it out and open it up (don't abuse it, just give it a goor running)... About all of the farmers in my little area drive Mercedes' and a couple of them have older ones (early-mid 80's?) that they use daily... and have many KM's on them (probably in excess of 200k miles)....

Anonymous-0 · Oct 20, 2011

check the air filter.

bobs old iron · Oct 20, 2011

mercedes, like other diesels that sat for a while, have fuel that collects bacteria and run, smoke till burned out,,,put fresh fuel as stated, maybe put additives since newer diesel have lowered sufur rating, to help lube seals and clean injectors....have a p/stroke, buy additive to help lube injectors and seals,,work fine....

Dodgeit · Oct 20, 2011

(quoted from post at 21:44:07 10/19/11) I just bought an 81 300 sd Mercedes diesel. It has 159000 miles on it and I don't know a whole lot about it except that is has been sitting up a while. The car is not the best to look at but runs good and starts easily. The only thing is I'm getting a lot of smoke. The only other turbo diesel I've messed with is our MF 1105 and it smokes because the seals in the turbo are gone to the point you can look at the turbo and see the oil seeping out. I haven't gotten that far into the car yet. Is there anything else I need to look at with this engine or is it probably just worn out? I've had lots of experience with old naturally aspirated Perkins motors, but not turbocharged Mercedes ones.

This is one of the best cars MB ever made. They are relitivaly easy to work on, and cheap to keep once all the small things are done. The smoking problem can be a couple of issues. If the oil wasn't changed regular it could be rings or valve seals. but first thing I would do is adjust the valves. They need adjusting at least once a year, as the exhaust valve usually gets to tight. The next thing is the timing chain replacement. Yours is well past due. It is a simple 2 person job with regular shop tools, if you have a dremal or small air die grinder. Get the Hayne manual at any auto parts store for a 300D (no manuel for 300SD). Procedures for about the whole car are the same with minor exceptions. The glow plugs are ecentual to good starting and need to be looked after. Do a compression test through the glow plug holes if needed.

barnE · Oct 20, 2011

Only had one Mercedes diesel 4 cyl. Easy to work on but need a lot of special tools or cut up your snap ons. Also if you go to dealer, take your life savings. Labor is really high and parts too. Mine went to dealer for little tune up, cost over 500 bucks in the sixties. Generator cost over 100 bucks when Fords were 20. Broke me in a hurry. Dave

OT but diesel engine related

Wesley Stephens

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Brad Gyde

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504

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oldtanker

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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bobs old iron

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Dodgeit

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barnE

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