Pelican Parts is expanding its early Mercedes DIY library. We have currently acquired a W123 300TD wagon. We want to know what fixes YOU would like to know as we start the project soon. Anything you can think of that you wish you had a step by step process to do work on your car before. Even simple things like oil changes, light bulb changes, jacking up the car, etc.
Let us know what you want us to do by commenting below!
I'm starting the restoration of a 1985 300TD. All in all, it's not in horrible shape, but I want to see it back to original condition. Currently, there is oil blowing out of the exhaust. I'm assuming the turbo seals are shot. If you are doing anything under the hood, a turbo rebuild would be great to see! Mine has a Garrett turbo with a trap oxidizer - CA car.
I'm starting the restoration of a 1985 300TD. All in all, it's not in horrible shape, but I want to see it back to original condition. Currently, there is oil blowing out of the exhaust. I'm assuming the turbo seals are shot. If you are doing anything under the hood, a turbo rebuild would be great to see! Mine has a Garrett turbo with a trap oxidizer - CA car.
That's awesome! That's a great suggestion. Usually, when you have bad seals you can send it off to Garrett/ATP and they can test the turbo for you. I think it's about $50 or so. If it ends up being that they can rebuild it as well. If you have any other things that you're wanting to know how to repair/fix on your 300TD let me know.
Looks like my '85 TD! #702 Smoke Silver and all...
My daughter retired her 1985 300TD (Federal) at the end of 2013 after seven years of service (it is in pretty rough shape). Now it’s my car… Start date January 4, 2014. Fixed/Serviced so far~~~~~~~~~
1985 300TD (Fed) January 2014… Resurrection (*not* Restoration)
1 New (used) Grill - Installed
2 New (used) Headlight Housings and Covers - Installed
3 New Headlights, Hi/Low Beam and (used) Fog Lights – Installed & Adjusted
4 New Rear Tail Light Bulb - Installed
5 New (used) Directional Lights Relay - Installed
6 New (used) Windshield Wiper Relay - Installed
7 Engine Degrease (yuck)
8 New (used) Vacuum Pump - Installed
9 New Front Brake Pads - Installed
10 Engine Shut Off Valve (vacuum) – Fixed… (Valve Leaks… replace later)
11 Power Steering Filter & Flush - Done
12 Glove Compartment Door & Latch (would not stay closed) – Done
13 New Fuel Tank Screen, Primary and Secondary Fuel Filters - Installed
14 Valve Adjustment - Done
15 Oil/Filter Change - Done
16 Compression Test – Done (1=350, 2=390, 3=380, 4=340, 5-340)
17 New (used) 5 Bosch Injectors – Installed (Cleaned & Calibrated… Pop Tested @ 135bar)
18 New 5 Bosch Glow Plugs (Chambers Reamed) – Installed
19 New Behr 80C Thermostat – Installed (noticed non leaking crack in Thermostat Housing)
20 New LED(s) in Cluster Tunnels – Installed – Wow!
21 Tachometer – Fixed (first time I have ever seen it work)
22 AC Compressor (very old) – Clutch Now Engages Properly… More work ahead…
23 Tweaked Transmission (vacuum) – Done – silky smooth, up & down
24 Tailgate, very minor body work – Done… for now
25 Sunroof and all other Drains Snaked – Done (Ok… a little clunky & thumpy but running pretty darned good! Time for a Break)
1985 300TD (Fed) – June 2014
26 Dash, Wood Trim/Glove Compartment ‘Squeak’ - Done
27 Rear End thud/clunk examined – Needs New Struts… ordered
28 New Auxiliary Fan – Installed
29 New Mono Valve (MTC) - Installed
30 Dash Vents not Working, Opened Dash Vent with Wine Cork… AC Working Very Well
31 New Rear Spring Shims – Installed
32 New Differential Mount - Installed
33 New Struts (Rear, Sachs Boge) - Installed… FINALLY, REAR END THUD/CLUNCK IS GONE!
34 New Hydraulic Fluid, Filter & Flush (Genuine Mercedes) – Done
35 New Accumulators – Installed
36 New Sway Bar Links (Lemfoerder) - Installed
37 New (used) Antenna Mast (still has the Becker) – Installed
1985 300TD (Fed) – July 2014
38 New EGR Delete Kit - installed
39 New (used) Thermostat Housing, Radiator Flush (Zerex G-05) - Done (Testing New Behr 75C Thermostat… running @ 82-83C as opposed to 86-87C with Behr 80C)
40 New (used) Very Short Exterior Trim Piece (Lower Rear Right) - Installed
41 Removed Crappy Gangster Aftermarket Tint – Done
43 New Windshield Wiper Blades (Bosch) - Installed
44 Rear Wiper – Got it Working! Washer too! (& new Bosch wiper) - Done
45 New Air Cleaner Mounts with Heat Shields – Installed
46 New (used 65 amp) Alternator - Installed
47 New Battery (Bosch), Tray Rusted Out (no rust in fire wall/well) – Done… for now
48 Fast Idle – Adjusted Linkage & White Lithium Greased Ball Caps - 1,000rpm now 750rpm – Fixed
49 New Hood Sound Insulating Pad with Heat Shield (scraped off the old foam) - Installed
50 New Exhaust Donuts (reinforced) – Installed
51 New Shut Off Valve (Bosch) – Installed
52 New (used) Passenger Side Dash Vent Replaced - Done
53 Filthy – Thoroughly Clean Inside, Outside – Hippie Stickers Gone, Wash (Wet Sand2000 grit) – Done
1985 300TD (Fed) – August 2014
54 New Front & Rear Bumper Retainer Clips - Installed
55 New 4Seasons R4 AC Compressor – (I Know! But this was an emergency) – Installed
56 New Leather Steering Wheel Cover - Installed
57 New (used ) Left and Right Rear Axles (CVJ Denver - Rebuilt) - Installed
58 New Rear Brake Pads (parking brakes are fine) – Installed
59 New Main Vacuum/BrakeLine – Installed
1985 300TD (Fed) – September 2014
60 New Front Upper Control Arms with Ball Joints & Bushings (Lemfoerder) - Installed
61 New Front Shocks (Bilstein HD) – Installed
62 New AC/Aux Fan Sensor (Santech) – Installed
1985 300TD (Fed) – December 2014
63 New (used) Steering Box (old one worked great… but leaks) - Installed
64 New Lower Control Arm Bushings, Ball Joints, Guide Rod Mounts (Lemfoerder) - Installed
65 New (used) Rotors – Installed
66 New (used) Rear Calipers - Installed
67 Brake Fluid… Flush Lines – Done
68 New Transmission Mount (Lemfoerder) - Done
69 New Front Coil Spring Shims
70 New Engine Shock Dampers
71 Front end alignment… I did this myself ;-)
Haven’t worked on it this year… just been enjoying it.
To Do~~~ (the parts below have been purchased)
& Anti-Sway Bushings (Mercedes)
New Engine Shock Absorbers (Sachs Boge)
New Transmission Line Grommets (on the Oil Pan)
New Transmission Fluid & Filter Change (no flush)
New Front Brake Pad Sensors
Keyless Entry (Door Locks)
Evaporator
(Free Car… about $3,200 total… into the Resurrection up to this point… praise to the parts car!)
And, Lastly (2015)…
New Door Seals & Window Wipers (all)
New Evaporator & Heating Coil… (maybe a new dash)
New MB Tex (blue) & Padding… Front Seats, Arm & Head Rests
Body Work & Paint Job… Paint #702
Refinish Wheels (Sandblast, Prime, Powder Coat, Clear Coat?)
Notes:
1985 Federal versions have the…
722.315 transmission,
617.952 engine,
123.193 chassis
2.88 differential
Both versions used the Air Recirculating Valve (ARV) on the turbo similar to the 1984 California version.
If the car has RS seatbelts it has a control unit mounted on the top of the transmission tunnel. You can see it when the ashtray is removed.
Transmission:
K1 - spring kit 1262704477
K1 - piston 1262700335
K2 - part number on the tube is 1262778432, however the kit part number is 126 270 04 35
K2 - piston 1262700435
K2 - piston 1262700535 or 1262700535 repair kit
B1 - piston 1262700235
B1 - piston 1242700035
Steering gearbox 123460580188
Oil - Switched to Mobil 1 5w 40w (full synthetic)
Wow, thanks for sharing your list Dennis. Looks like you've done a lot of work so far. For your to do list, I'll be sure to pass that information along. Maybe we can get some articles up in time for you to start them on yours!
Yeah, it kept me out of the bars... for a while. My wife drives an '84D so I've been paying attention to that as her '85D was broadsided by an F250. Now I have another parts car!
I'm starting the restoration of a 1985 300TD. All in all, it's not in horrible shape, but I want to see it back to original condition. Currently, there is oil blowing out of the exhaust. I'm assuming the turbo seals are shot. If you are doing anything under the hood, a turbo rebuild would be great to see! Mine has a Garrett turbo with a trap oxidizer - CA car.
Have you adjusted the valves and done a compression test? I strongly recommend doing so before you do to much other work on the car. Is there oil in your air intake housing/filter?
I am going to rebuild the turbo that I took out of my wrecked '85D within the next month or two. My cars are Feds... not CAs. I will document the procedure.
Personally, I would remove the trap oxidizer and store it. I doubt you would experience any instrumentally detectable increase in particulate matter removal at the tail pipe by doing so. I do make some non-stock alterations that I feel enhance the performance of the vehicles as they are not show cars but excellent examples of daily drivers.
Have you adjusted the valves and done a compression test? I strongly recommend doing so before you do to much other work on the car. Is there oil in your air intake housing/filter?
I am going to rebuild the turbo that I took out of my wrecked '85D within the next month or two. My cars are Feds... not CAs. I will document the procedure.
Personally, I would remove the trap oxidizer and store it. I doubt you would experience any instrumentally detectable increase in particulate matter removal at the tail pipe by doing so. I do make some non-stock alterations that I feel enhance the performance of the vehicles as they are not show cars but excellent examples of daily drivers.
The engine is torn down and at the machine shop. We rebuilt the turbo and I have a trap/ox delete kit for it once it gets back. After the rebuild, it ran ok but not much power and there was a knock in the #1 cylinder. I'm hoping to hear back from them by the middle of the week next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I have a 1985 300TD (CA) and it is great to see so much work being done to keep these fine cars on the road. You mention in your write up having replaced the rear hydraulic struts / shocks. Do you still know of a parts source? I am finding nothing online. Thanks,
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Usually, when you have bad seals you can send it off to Garrett/ATP and they can test the turbo for you. I think it's about $50 or so. If it ends up being that they can rebuild it as well. If you have any other things that you're wanting to know how to repair/fix on your 300TD let me know. 
. My wife drives an '84D so I've been paying attention to that as her '85D was broadsided by an F250. Now I have another parts car!
