[jusme]

1987 300TD, picked it up last night. I'm amazed my wife (who's been riding me to sell cars and downsize) actually encouraged this purchase as she wants to drive it. I dropped it at a friends house on the way home for an engine swap. The PO's wife overheated it, and did the head/head gasket in. It's pretty clean. These pics were taken after midnight, so the lighting wasn't great. This is my first W124. Plenty of experience with W123's and W126's though. Any weak spots to look for and sure up on these? I cant believe I bought it to be honest. I just sold a W123 wagon to a forum member on Saturday, and within a couple hours located this (after the wife asked if they made any more "modern looking" diesel wagons she could drive, she doesnt care for W123's much) and sent a deposit, and picked it up last night. Long drive, blew a tire on the car trailer, hit a Walmart along the way that was closing, but they helped me out. I know I'm going to need some interior parts, so as I find out more, I'll post my want list for it.

At some point when things slow down for me, I want another W123 wagon to restore. The forum member I sold mine to has already begun the task of teardown, and it looks like a blast to do! I regret selling it a little, but I don't have the time in my current situation to do the level of detail work he is doing and honestly what the car deserves. So, I'm glad it went to a future owner that will bring it back to its former glory.

Anyway, just checking in here with other W124 fans for advice and counsel on things to watch for. Also, any idea what High-Low range a super clean 1987 300TD specimen is worth all finished up and restored? I haven't recently seen many of these single year production models to get an idea.

Thanks in advance for all the help and advice!

 

[tuttebenne]

Congrats on the new addition. Hope all goes smooth with the swap.

W123s were great cars. My first Benz was an Eibengrun with tan 300TDT. (non metallic "army green") It was primarily the wife's car. She loved the fact that it always started, never stalled and just kept on running. But the little problems with door lock actuators, door checks that locked up in the open position, water leaking into the cabin, the rust that was developing, caliper issues, and loose suspension, started to take away from the experience.

When I got her a W124 sedan, she "never looked back", so to speak. But quite frankly, I always did. I always "looked back" for the missing storage space that came with the wagon. So you are on your way to a great replacement for your 123. Best of luck with this car; it has more going for it than the 123 and all things being equal, should provide longer service with less deterioration.

 

[jusme]

Congrats on the new addition. Hope all goes smooth with the swap.

W123s were great cars. My first Benz was an Eibengrun with tan 300TDT. (non metallic "army green") It was primarily the wife's car. She loved the fact that it always started, never stalled and just kept on running. But the little problems with door lock actuators, door checks that locked up in the open position, water leaking into the cabin, the rust that was developing, caliper issues, and loose suspension, started to take away from the experience.

When I got her a W124 sedan, she "never looked back", so to speak. But quite frankly, I always did. I always "looked back" for the missing storage space that came with the wagon. So you are on your way to a great replacement for your 123. Best of luck with this car; it has more going for it than the 123 and all things being equal, should provide longer service with less deterioration.

Yes, W123's are my absolute favorite, even with their shortcomings. The simplicity of my 240D is only likened to a 1965 Plymouth Valiant I had with a Slant 6. No frills, durable, reliable, easy to work on, and a pleasure to work on. No actuator motors running blend doors, just a lever that operates the door. It never broke, because it was so simple. Ah well, those cars are disappearing. I'm glad to hear you and your wife are having good success compared to the W123. Nice to hear that coming from a former W123 owner for an honest opinion.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[winmutt]

Beware the #14 head. Make sure your cooling system is well maintained.

Does it clack?

 

[jusme]

No, but he said after about an hour of driving to the mechanic, he had to refill the cooling system to drive an hour back home. The mechanic diagnosed it as a head gasket, but with the probability of head problems with them, I would imagine it's more than just that. I also have a good #14 head of a car that threw a rod. So, I may take that down to the machine shop and have it prepped. Have there been many instances that you guys have heard of where a head gasket was blown, but a #14 head survived?

 

[augapfel]

Congrats on the purchase. Now that you're 124 you'll never want to back to the 123 chassis.

Is that the non-metallic dark blue? If so, nice color. What interior color? Any neat options like heated seats, double roller blind, etc.?

 

[jusme]

Congrats on the purchase. Now that you're 124 you'll never want to back to the 123 chassis.

Is that the non-metallic dark blue? If so, nice color. What interior color? Any neat options like heated seats, double roller blind, etc.?

Hmmm, I'm not sure. It's on a trailer at a friends house about an hour away. I'll have to check for the heated seats, but what is the double roller blind? It does have the third seat option which is nice.

 

[winmutt]

Have there been many instances that you guys have heard of where a head gasket was blown, but a #14 head survived?

If its water, no. Oil yes.

 

[mfagus]

double roller blind is the cargo cover/pet barrier that attaches to the rear of the back seat.


Mark

 

[jusme]

double roller blind is the cargo cover/pet barrier that attaches to the rear of the back seat.


Mark

Ah, I cant say I saw that.

 

[jusme]

If its water, no. Oil yes.

Is that something a competent machine shop can repair? Or would it be just a patch rated repair?

 

[jusme]

I've actually considered pulling the OM603 and the 722.XXX trans, and installing a OM617 drivetrain. I have many complete running, driving cars to pull from. I even have a OM617 with 24,000 original miles on it from a car that was parked in a garage that a tree fell on. I've had it for years, but cant decide where to use it. This might be the candidate. Anyone replace a 6 cyl. with a 5 cyl? Less finicky head, but less power and louder, but I wouldnt mind that. Anyone that's done it, or heard of it done, let me know. I know the starter is on the opposite side, and there will have to be a driveshaft mod I would imagine. Not sure what to do though. This is probably a rare enough car to keep it stock. But something to think about...

 

[jusme]

Is there a reference to the interior color code somewhere on the car? This Palomino, Mushroom,...etc. is too close together for me, and every computer screen renders the colors a bit different. I need a rear passenger door speaker grill, and other interior parts, but before I order, I need to make sure the color code is right.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zeitgeist]

I've actually considered pulling the OM603 and the 722.XXX trans, and installing a OM617 drivetrain. I have many complete running, driving cars to pull from. I even have a OM617 with 24,000 original miles on it from a car that was parked in a garage that a tree fell on. I've had it for years, but cant decide where to use it. This might be the candidate. Anyone replace a 6 cyl. with a 5 cyl? Less finicky head, but less power and louder, but I wouldnt mind that. Anyone that's done it, or heard of it done, let me know. I know the starter is on the opposite side, and there will have to be a driveshaft mod I would imagine. Not sure what to do though. This is probably a rare enough car to keep it stock. But something to think about...

That would be a major step backward. The OM617 is a very good engine...for a tractor, but it's not up to the challenge of a modern vehicle like this, and it would require a complete transmission and driveline swap. I've owned several OM615 and OM617 cars, and I'd part it out before installing one in a 124. A nice OM602 or OM606 would also fit in there with minimal fuss n' muss. Occasionally decent deals on #17 and up OM603 heads show up--Last year I sold a very low mileage #22 head complete with a nice mild port job and all new hardware for $1100 shipped, which was a kill deal.

 

[jusme]

That would be a major step backward. The OM617 is a very good engine...for a tractor, but it's not up to the challenge of a modern vehicle like this, and it would require a complete transmission and driveline swap. I've owned several OM615 and OM617 cars, and I'd part it out before installing one in a 124. A nice OM602 or OM606 would also fit in there with minimal fuss n' muss. Occasionally decent deals on #17 and up OM603 heads show up--Last year I sold a very low mileage #22 head complete with a nice mild port job and all new hardware for $1100 shipped, which was a kill deal.

Well, I have a good #14 head to go back on it, and a #22 head (I believe it's a #22) out of a 350SDL that could be used also. I have many OM603 cars, and you're right, more power. I just hate the fact they mated an aluminum head to the block. It made it so temperamental, and is really the Achilles Heel of the car. Eh, well. Looks like the 603 gets to live a bit longer...

Thanks!

 

[jusme]

Beware the #14 head. Make sure your cooling system is well maintained.

Does it clack?

Winmutt, I ran it for a bit tonight, and I can hear a clack. Sounds like valvetrain. Quieted down once warm some. I'm curious, what is the clacking a signal of? I'll try to post the video I took off the sound.

 

[augapfel]

Interior color code is stamped on the metal plate screwed to the top of the radiator support.

Starting form the top left, go 4 lines down. 174 is the palomino tex, 175 is mushroom.

 

[winmutt]

Quieted down once warm some.

Injectors should be poptested and cleaned. Only when the clacking doesnt go away should you worry.

 

[jusme]

Injectors should be poptested and cleaned. Only when the clacking doesnt go away should you worry.

Well, look like it was just the head gasket. I'll know for sure by the weekend. Would a full strength flush with Diesel Purge help the injector clacking?

 

[winmutt]

Would a full strength flush with Diesel Purge help the injector clacking?

Perhaps. To me its nothing more than snake oil. For the cost of 2 cans of dp you can get 2 injectors cleand and tested. AND if they do need new nozzles, no amount of DP is going to fix that