Hey Tom, glad to see ya postin. Don't forget to throw your things done articles in here for the next poor slob. There's to much good info, to not be shared.

 

Hello,
I am new here and this is my first post. Yes, I have 'a' diesel Merc.....see my signature. I am also on my second W123 parts car. It is a 1984 300D with 300k miles that sat for five years. I pulled it home, put some spare glow plugs in and it fired right up and drove down the road. I believe that the 5 cylinder 617 engine is the most durable and dependable diesel engine ever make for a passenger vehicle.

I am a diesel junkie. The only non-diesel for me are my 1995 S-10, a John Deere mower, and push mower, and a string trimmer. I hate gasoline powered engines; to many variables to control.

 

welcome bud!!! it looks like you have some deep experience to draw from and share with our membership here.

 

Tell us your ways !

And in ohio too Woot

DM

 

When it comes to diesel Mercs I am a dog at a duck pond.
(it is a disease....do not try to cure me)

 

We are in Dire need of someone with your expertise here , We Would like to have a strong following from various Manufactures , Feal Free to Tare this forum up posting Anything you know that may help others ,

Thanks And were Glad to have you on the site

How did you find us?

 

oh we won't. feel free to post and start threads as you desire man.

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DM beat me to the punch. don't mind him. guy always acts like he owns the place.

 

I found this site through myspace of all places.

Most of my experience has been with the W123 chassis (coupe, sedan, and wagon) which were made from 1976-1986, but only sold in the US from 1977-1985. Although the models that were built on this chassis were not top level models they are considered my may Mercedes people to be the high point of Mercedes engineering. The W123 was built to be very, very repairable (that is when it needs repaired). It is amazing what can be rebuilt and with such ease. The sad part is that after this chassis Mercedes decided that their cars were over engineered and they began to put less engineering and testing in their products. That change in direction shows up in my 1999 E300. It is a very nice car with a very powerful turbo charge 3.0L engine, but does not reflect the level of engineering that is in my 300D's.

I can change the five glow plugs on a 617 engine in under 30 minutes and that includes getting out and putting away tools. Changing the six glow plugs on the 606 engine in my E300 takes over five hours because the intake manifold needs to be removed and that process involves working under and on top of the car.

 

i understand those things can put out some decent horsepower and can be made into a fun vehicle. tried looking up here but they're usually rusty or the owner thinks they're made of gold. somebody on here has an awesome wagon that's set up really nice. i'm a closet wagon luster. shhh.

 

The non-turbo 300D's (such as my 1981 300D) are only around 83HP, but they do have torque. The rear end is geared higher than the turbo 300D's. They rev very high on the interstate, but they are build for it and can take it. I have driven my 1981 for hours over 75mph and get 27.5mpg.

The 617 turbos will silently shred the rear tires if you do not keep your foot off of the pedal. Most of these were build for 123HP, but Mercedes build a few experimental that put out over 230HP. They are not race cars but fore an old tech 3.0L engine they do get around.

The diesel W123 wagons (model 300TD, 'T' for touring) are something else. They have a hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension. I know two people that have these and they treat them like a one ton truck AND they can take it. The volumetric capacity with the rear seat down would embarrass many SUV's with the rear seat down. I would like to get a W123 wagon, but I have 3 W123's as it is and I have too much sweat equity in them to sell them without great personal agony.