S70Houston

What are your thoughts on this 1987 300D turbo?
264K miles, looks pretty clean in the pictures and the price seems fair, buyer stated it was negotiable.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/1987-mercedes-300d-turbo-diesel/6823171702.html

As I never owned a Mercedes Diesel before, I am looking for some input.

Thanks very much in advance.

Saltshaker1

Gee, I'd bet few here have ever owned one, but I did and I will help you with as many questions as I can. I bought mine in 2002...it had the notorious 'cracked head'. Cracked aluminum heads were the number one issue with the first OM603 six cylinder diesel engines that appeared in the US first in the W126 cars..1986..later also in the 1987 W124 after which Germany stopped export delivery from stuttgart all Diesels cars to the US... Not until 1990 did Germany send a diesel car to the US...a 5 cylinder, a chopped 603....not to be mistaken with the older W123 5 cylinder developed during WW2...The new 5 cylinder..1990 did meet California emissions standards and many sold up to 1995...last production of the W124 and W126. I do know a lot about the OM603...I hope I can help you....Steve.......In addition...didn't see when I posted this responce the past responses below, There is a huge amount of info from many many people from over the years on this forum and more from the 'Mercedeshop' diesel forum people, a forum no longer in existence. It was the best MB diesel forum on the planet..since I left my 87, I no longer looked...now 14 years ago. Larry Bible, a dedicated MB diesel mechanic in Texas, was top on the forum with the best info shared for the MB diesels...especially the OM603.

S70Houston

Thanks very much Saltshaker1, greatly appreciated.

Saltshaker1

OM603 aluminum head production numbers ranged from 12-14-16-17 and 22 so far as I was made aware. #22 being a latest. My replacement 603 'whole engine' 160k..had a #17 cast... The original head in my car had cracks in several cylinders (I didn't know then to record that number)...cracks were between intake valve and exhaust valve seatings in the aluminum head. NOT enough aluminum barrier between...simply the heated aluminum parted under time and pressure at the weakest point. MB made several attempts through numerous castings....They got it better by 1993...but it was too late...Casting #22 and variants #23-24-25 ended for a final 1995 production....OM603 diesel engine continued production after 1995...Panda Generators..from 4kw and up....and others world wide...OM603 parts remain available today.