Caitlin,
Time for a new "new mechanic". One who actually knew 300SDs of your vintage would have told you that the FIRST thing you do, before the diesel purge, is the valve adjustment.
You can get the valve adjustment from the Haynes Book of Lies (HBOL) for the 123 cars (your 300SD is a 126 car - the 123s are the midsize for the same vintage). The 123 300D turbo has the same engine as your car (NOT the same as the 300D non-turbo or the 240D). So sections of the HBOL that deal with the engine are useful for you.
These cars have overhead cam and valves, that can be adjusted in about 30 minutes by an amateur (like me) after spending much longer than that learning how to do it right. The process is made much easier by buying the right BENT wrenches from Performance Products, or other Mercedes speciality sources. The cost of the wrench set, which will last a lifetime, is about 1/4 or 1/3 of the cost of the entire job, done once, by an independent shop.
DO NOT cut hoses and leave something inline, unless you know exactly what it's going to do. If someone has already shortened a hose, get the proper hose and put it back in. DO NOT use a "kit" to do a flush. Use a proper hose, for the first flush. Then distilled water and citric (not acetic) acid (from baker's supply shops) to really flush and clean the system. Then distilled water to flush out the last bits of citric acid. and ONLY THEN put in the anti-freeze mix.
If the car isn't overheating, don't worry about the flush until you have done the valve adjust, the filters (air and BOTH fuel filters and the oil change WITH filter change). That gives you time for the replacement coolant hose to arrive.
Then, once you are up and running, all nice and clean, you will want to change the filter in the bottom of the power steering pump. This is a lift out / drop in process, very easy. Order the filter when you order the valve adjust wrenches and the replacement coolant hose.
There are a bundle of sites on the internet that have photo essays on how to fix that busted odometer. I think Mercedes Source and Diesel Giant both have such essays on their sites.
Get to know your local junk (pick-a-part) yards. The most expensive car you will ever own is a cheap Mercedes. The people who find these cars to be economical are those who learn to do the work themselves and learn to find the parts in junk yards instead of at the dealier. Junk yard parts are also VERY useful for practicing on, as with the famous monovalve and that odometer problem, before you have to work on your own.
Welcome to the group.
Tom; 1981 300SD, 353+++ miles
In a message dated 10/30/2011 1:31:05 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, tinymachine@gmail.com writes:
Hi there,
I joined a few weeks ago right after picking up my (first) mercedes. She's a 1983 300SD, white with dark brown interior (though the p.o. put in blue seats). She's got about 223k on her and a busted odometer. I've named her "Betty White"...seemed to fit somehow.
She's fairly solid mechanically, but I have my work cut out for me as I'm eager and interested, but totally "new" to the world of repair and even maintenance. You all seem like a helpful and knowledgeable bunch, and I've enjoyed reading up while lurking :) I hope you won't mind sharing your collective wisdom with an enthusiastic beginner.
I thought I'd start with some simple stuff, and I've already been thwarted. My plan for phase 1 was:
1) diesel purge
2) fuel filters
3) coolant flush n fill
4) oil change
Went to do the diesel purge as per the instructions in the mercedessource kit, and the fuel line section that you re-route so as not to spill fuel all over god's country was "newer" and too short. So I've got some biofuel rated fuel line coming, just gonna start with replacing that section (my friend has a new biofuel company here, so I'd like to carefully experiment with B100 and blends)
Thought I'd check the air filter while I had the hood up, and I couldn't get the dang top off...what am I missing? I removed the wingnut and bolt and 4 clips....and could not lift that lid.
Coolant flush and fill (my new mechanic, also a 300SD owner, strongly recommended that asap) is getting more pressing as our temps are dropping. I've got Zerex ready to go, and I bought one of those $4 "kits" (mostly for the instructions on the back) but now I realize they want you to cut on of your lines and leave their plastic piece installed all the time. Doesn't that restrict the flow? Or would it be fine? How else would I do it? Any video or photo instructions?
There's plenty of info on the internet, but I want to get my hands on at least one manual to start (actual book or DVD based, no matter)....what would you all recommend to start with?
Thanks folks! Happy weekend!
Caitlin (and Betty White)
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