I am planning on ordering a manual, but I need to check out a 82 300SD tomorrow so it won't do me anygood. I've looked everywhere for instructions but...nothing. What are the basic procedures for doing a compression test? I gather that you use the glow plug hole (12mm 1.25 thread right?). 290psi or better? What about disabling the motor? On a gas motor you just pull the coil wire and ground it on something and maybe remove the fuel pump fuse. On the diesel what do you do? Crack the injector lines?

The owner says it won't start and something about bottom part of the motor being broken. I am hoping that they have an incompetent mechanic who gave them a canned answer.

From what I can tell my best bet would be to adjust the valves and then do a compression test. If the compression's good, I am more or less golden right? I probably won't be able to adjust the valves there so...would the compression test still be meaningful?

What would you guys pay for a non running 82 300SD supposedly in nice condition?

 

Found the manual online. Duh, just push the stop lever while cranking.

Anything I should know?

 

Figure he was probably quoted close to $3k for a rebuild and swap out. Its an 82 that would make it worth less than $1k in my estimation. After all when you get it firing and find out there is a bearing out of the bottom end. What are you going to do?
drujinin