Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Anyone want to buy my '81 300D? Not really. Just tell me what THIS sound is!

Yes. I did check the fluids the day I bought the car. I usually check them at least weekly. Don't know where my brain has been.

I can't imagine dumping this in the condition it's in. I will in a heart beat if I have to. Yeah I'm not willing to dump a ton of $$ into this. Been there done that on one of Kevin's trucks. Found out it was easier/cheaper to get a rebuilt engine. Crap. Guess I'll be shopping tomorrow for something...engine or car. Sucks I'm just now getting back to work after being off since the end of June and this is my busy season!

Trish

On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 7:47 PM, BStromsoe <bstromsoe@yahoo.com> wrote:

Did anyone check the fluids when the car was purchased? Sorry if that hurts. I too lost my oil when I poked two holes in my oil pan (bottomed out), and froze my engine (hope that did not happen to you). But I put another 190,000 mile engine in and have lived happily ever after. Cost me $5k by the time it was done - if I was doing it again, I would probably get a new rebuilt, or just got another super clean w123 or w126. My second w123 was picked up for $1800 and has proven to be quite a bargain.

brian from la verne, ca
From: patricia_dougherty <purrfectharmonyfarm@wifi45.com>
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 5:23 PM
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Anyone want to buy my '81 300D? Not really. Just tell me what THIS sound is!

I'm very particular about checking fluids, usually.

Sat night on my way to work I heard a weird sound & hoped it was someone else on the freeway. It was a loud banging type of noise. The sound went away, I forgot all about it.

Last night again on my way to work, I heard the sound, thought uh oh, that sounds like lifters from low oil. Forgot all about it by the time I got off work.

Today on my way to an interview I again heard "the" sound, this time I mentally kicked myself for not checking the fluids & pulled over immediately.

Yes I know you shouldn't check the oil when the car is hot, you get a false reading.

Well, there wasn't a drop of oil showing on the dipstick! I had some in the trunk, I put that in, cancelled my interview, and went to Auto Zone. Bought more oil, put some in, FINALLY got a reading on the dipstick.

I limped towards home not able to go faster than about 25mph. The car died at an intersection 6 miles from home. I got it started again, limped on down the road till it finally stopped about 1/4 mile from home. It would turn over, but not start.

Sounds like a combination of no gas, which I have 1/2 a tank, and like it's going to explode and shoot bolts and other engine shrapnel everywhere. I know that's vague. One of the guys that stopped to help and towed me home, claims to be a diesel mechanic. He said it seems like it has to do with the cam, but without tearing the engine apart it's impossible to tell.

I used my cell phone video to try to record. I put it under files, it says Video002, Trish's '81 300D.

Neither Kevin nor I know anything about diesels. What are my options? Pull the engine and put in a new one? I know a mechanic, he says it's free for them to tell me what's wrong, but they don't get involved in rebuilds, they'll be happy to pull this engine and drop in another one...for $$$$$$

I did call the kid I bought the car from. He swears there was no problem. He said they had the oil changed because the car had been sitting. It was done at Lube Express. I don't know if they didn't put the drain plug in right or maybe the filter wasn't installed properly. But if it's not due for an oil change until 12/15, I sure shouldn't be out of oil now! He told me how the money I paid him burned a hole in his pocket so he bought a truck and has had to dump tons of money into...so I wonder if that's not instant Karma? Did he know something about my car??? I did ask if his diesel mechanic dad would be willing to come see if he can tell me what's wrong. I told him I'm not after him, the car was purchased "as is".

boo hoo hoo. I'm very bummed and trapped at home ten miles outside of town!

Trish