300sdl
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
300sdl
Wife just purchased (we needed another car?). Has 155000, couple of dings being fixed along with some trim work. What have I gotten myself into? Need owners manual, repair manual and any information on this.
Thank you for reading this.
Thank you for reading this.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Originally posted by vwbuge
I hope you are one of two things, hopefully both. Rich or a good DIY.
I hope you are one of two things, hopefully both. Rich or a good DIY.
THAT BAD! Heard that they where a reliable car. this one ran well and had some good background on it. If it is a junker, oh well, HELLO EBAY!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Johnstown, PA
'85 300SD (CA em.)
It is not that they are that bad. It is just that alot of people buy these things with no service records or history and expect to dirve them forever. The older diesels need some TLC. If you were going for bullet proof reliability, you should buy a 300SD or a 240D. They are a little smaller than the SDL. I believe the heads were an issue on the 6 cyl diesels. When something does pop up that needs fixed it is nice to tackle it yourself and save alot of $$$$$$. Otherwise you will have to find a mechanic that is familiar with MB diesels.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Originally posted by vwbuge
It is not that they are that bad. It is just that alot of people buy these things with no service records or history and expect to dirve them forever. The older diesels need some TLC. If you were going for bullet proof reliability, you should buy a 300SD or a 240D. They are a little smaller than the SDL. I believe the heads were an issue on the 6 cyl diesels. When something does pop up that needs fixed it is nice to tackle it yourself and save alot of $$$$$$. Otherwise you will have to find a mechanic that is familiar with MB diesels.
It is not that they are that bad. It is just that alot of people buy these things with no service records or history and expect to dirve them forever. The older diesels need some TLC. If you were going for bullet proof reliability, you should buy a 300SD or a 240D. They are a little smaller than the SDL. I believe the heads were an issue on the 6 cyl diesels. When something does pop up that needs fixed it is nice to tackle it yourself and save alot of $$$$$$. Otherwise you will have to find a mechanic that is familiar with MB diesels.
I got it to reasonable to pass it up and it did run out well. The seller kknows of my connections and does not want me ticked off so I hope he was as honest as he was in the past.
Thank you for the input. All I need know is all the books, manuals and the car.
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Finally Got car
1987 300SDL 153,000 miles. Runs great no the bad stuff!
1. Radio D.O.A.
2. Sunroof D.O.A.
3. Cigar Lighter D.O.A.
Everything else works!
M.I.A.
1. Tool Kit
2. Shop Manual
Wheels look like poop, need to be refinished, Balance is about 75 points.
Hope this is not
1. Radio D.O.A.
2. Sunroof D.O.A.
3. Cigar Lighter D.O.A.
Everything else works!
M.I.A.
1. Tool Kit
2. Shop Manual
Wheels look like poop, need to be refinished, Balance is about 75 points.
Hope this is not
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Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
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From: Cornwall, NY
e320 2000
Post Pics and more detail on the car. I've owned 2 diesels and loved them both. (see below my name)
I travel a lot to many urban areas and I always scout for the D's.
True an old diesel needs TLC but any car past a quarter million will need a bit of attention. Keep in mind a 200,000 mile diesel is very much the norm and usually still running very well. Folks just don't give them up.
But there is absolutely nothing sweeter than an all day 85 - 90 mph cruise in a teenager diesel -- they just ask for more miles!
Good luck and post some stuff.
I travel a lot to many urban areas and I always scout for the D's.
True an old diesel needs TLC but any car past a quarter million will need a bit of attention. Keep in mind a 200,000 mile diesel is very much the norm and usually still running very well. Folks just don't give them up.
But there is absolutely nothing sweeter than an all day 85 - 90 mph cruise in a teenager diesel -- they just ask for more miles!
Good luck and post some stuff.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
More info
Originally Posted by suntubi
Post Pics and more detail on the car. I've owned 2 diesels and loved them both. (see below my name)
I travel a lot to many urban areas and I always scout for the D's.
True an old diesel needs TLC but any car past a quarter million will need a bit of attention. Keep in mind a 200,000 mile diesel is very much the norm and usually still running very well. Folks just don't give them up.
But there is absolutely nothing sweeter than an all day 85 - 90 mph cruise in a teenager diesel -- they just ask for more miles!
Good luck and post some stuff.
I travel a lot to many urban areas and I always scout for the D's.
True an old diesel needs TLC but any car past a quarter million will need a bit of attention. Keep in mind a 200,000 mile diesel is very much the norm and usually still running very well. Folks just don't give them up.
But there is absolutely nothing sweeter than an all day 85 - 90 mph cruise in a teenager diesel -- they just ask for more miles!
Good luck and post some stuff.
I need a shop manual BADLY. I THOUGHT I got a CD version from EBAY but it has been over 10 days and still no product. Emailed the person and waiting to hear from them.
The major things are no working windows (have power) STUCK sun roof (closed) and the A?C just blows FROM ALL vents, can not redirect from the defrosters.
Added an XM radio and mew tires.
Will post pictures on www.seecarr.org.
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Nice looking car George, Many thanks to you and Kristi at Leatherique. Lets see the "after" pics of that 300! What do you plan on doing to the leather.
Here are pix of George's 300SDL
Here are pix of George's 300SDL
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Thank you, we are going to go with the FADED PARCHMENT so we do not have to de-dye the whole car. Actually we will have parchment in the faded parts and go back to the Cream Beige on the doors, dash etc. We will be using some R&D products called SUPER PREPPING AGENT and CERIOUS CLEAN to do 90% of the work. We will spray (with a $19.95 air brush) Wipe Dye and Brush Dye. The car will not be a concourse hound but an above average driver to all Mercedes Benz events we attend. But far warning, Kryti got her judges certificate and is a PERFECTION type of judge. It there is dirt she will find it! Glad she is enjoying that part of the hobby.
We will posy our toy as it is done.
We will posy our toy as it is done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally Posted by LRPMAN
Thank you, we are going to go with the FADED PARCHMENT so we do not have to de-dye the whole car. Actually we will have parchment in the faded parts and go back to the Cream Beige on the doors, dash etc. We will be using some R&D products called SUPER PREPPING AGENT and CERIOUS CLEAN to do 90% of the work. We will spray (with a $19.95 air brush) Wipe Dye and Brush Dye. The car will not be a concourse hound but an above average driver to all Mercedes Benz events we attend. But far warning, Kryti got her judges certificate and is a PERFECTION type of judge. It there is dirt she will find it! Glad she is enjoying that part of the hobby.
We will posy our toy as it is done.
We will posy our toy as it is done.
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Originally Posted by AlBoston
Krysti mentioned the super prepping agent to me, what does that do? Is that one of your products? Because I was asking her what would remove the Leatherique "original" klear kote incase I didn't like the look or feel of it, do you know what removes it? I can't wait to see the pics when you guys are done with it, I am sure it will be phenominal
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Trap oxidizer needs to be removed, should be done free? http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300sdl871.htm
those engines had alloy heads, the previous model had iron heads, not aware of any significant problems, however they don't do very well if the engine runs hot that normal for some reason. The iron heads were more durable in that respect.
This guy doesn't have leather but had a mold problem and put the pressure washer to everything which is amazing to me, anyway the velour carpet and mats can be easily restored with a pressure washer if scrubbing is too involved.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/590333
Just jumping in here because i'm bored and remembered a few links....
those engines had alloy heads, the previous model had iron heads, not aware of any significant problems, however they don't do very well if the engine runs hot that normal for some reason. The iron heads were more durable in that respect.
This guy doesn't have leather but had a mold problem and put the pressure washer to everything which is amazing to me, anyway the velour carpet and mats can be easily restored with a pressure washer if scrubbing is too involved.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/590333
Just jumping in here because i'm bored and remembered a few links....
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Trap shut
Originally Posted by howdosaymercede
Trap oxidizer needs to be removed, should be done free? http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300sdl871.htm
those engines had alloy heads, the previous model had iron heads, not aware of any significant problems, however they don't do very well if the engine runs hot that normal for some reason. The iron heads were more durable in that respect.
This guy doesn't have leather but had a mold problem and put the pressure washer to everything which is amazing to me, anyway the velour carpet and mats can be easily restored with a pressure washer if scrubbing is too involved.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/590333
Just jumping in here because i'm bored and remembered a few links....
those engines had alloy heads, the previous model had iron heads, not aware of any significant problems, however they don't do very well if the engine runs hot that normal for some reason. The iron heads were more durable in that respect.
This guy doesn't have leather but had a mold problem and put the pressure washer to everything which is amazing to me, anyway the velour carpet and mats can be easily restored with a pressure washer if scrubbing is too involved.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/590333
Just jumping in here because i'm bored and remembered a few links....
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
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1985 300SD fuel system
Originally Posted by vwbuge
It is not that they are that bad. It is just that alot of people buy these things with no service records or history and expect to dirve them forever. The older diesels need some TLC. If you were going for bullet proof reliability, you should buy a 300SD or a 240D. They are a little smaller than the SDL. I believe the heads were an issue on the 6 cyl diesels. When something does pop up that needs fixed it is nice to tackle it yourself and save alot of $$$$$$. Otherwise you will have to find a mechanic that is familiar with MB diesels.
Thanks
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From: Aiken S.C.
What ever is RUNNING
Originally Posted by scmadm
I see that you have a 85 300SD. I just picked one up. I noticed fuel leaking at the fuel injector, probably fro the fuel line. Do you know the size of the fuel line coming off the side? Mines covered in cloth.
Thanks
Thanks
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
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From: Cornwall, NY
e320 2000
Your teenage diesel
Pics show me a fine ride!
Sh** happens. All of what you described is fixable. Spend a little money and a little time.
Great exterior color -- the same as my 91 420 SEL.
At 160,000 k miles, you've got plenty to work with.
I am Jealous!
Sh** happens. All of what you described is fixable. Spend a little money and a little time.
Great exterior color -- the same as my 91 420 SEL.
At 160,000 k miles, you've got plenty to work with.
I am Jealous!
