Hi,

I've liked diesel mercedes cars for a good while and just recently bought a 1988 190D 2.5 with 110k for $2,700. Everything about the car is in good shape with the exception of a small oil leak. When I arrived at the seller's house there was a small puddle under the car. I test drove it and it sounded pretty good and feel pretty good about the price.

The leak, I'm told, is caused by one or two of the injector's o-rings being old and the plastic having become brittle and leaking. Can you all please explain to me if this is common and how difficult it is to have repaired. Is it serious and costly for a dealer to do it? I know this car is rare and hope these parts are still available. This oil leak really bothers me and I hope it hasn't affected the longevity of the engine.

Also, Any advice for a new diesel owner is greatly appreciated.

Info that is helpful:

- Should I replace the freon radiator and how much does it cost?
- How many miles should I allow between oil changes?
- Any immediate maintenance work you think I should have done to the car?

Thanks again for your insight!

 

Filters, diesel purge, and i must say if the car is in good condition with those low miles u got a steal!

 

I think it was a pretty great deal myself. I appreciate your help. As long as the oil leak is minor and hasn't caused any substantial damage to the engine so far I feel good about the purchase price. Take it easy!

 

That sounds like a rather large oil leak. I don't mean to alarm you, but it would bother me as well. For the life of me I can't understand how it could be leaking oil due to an injector O ring.... Take it to a Do It Yourself car wash that has an engine wash selection and wash off your engine top to bottom.Get it very clean, no oil showing... Take it for a freeway spin,thencarefully examine every inch of the engine. You should be able to tellif it's coming from the oil pan, front seal, rear seal, or from thevalve cover, etc..

It seems if you get agood head you're okay.But some of those aluminum heads areknown to develops cracks.. Does it smoke at all? If so and it's white, it could be water coming from a cracked aluminum head...If not, you're probably ok.

If blue, it's burning oil, and if black but only under heavy accelerationit's normal. If black under normalacceleration, it may merely need an Italian Overhaul....which is peddle to the meddle until you reach 70 to 90 MPH... Do that a couple oftimes a year and keep the soot burned out....

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Also, Any advice for a new diesel owner is greatly appreciated.

Info that is helpful:

If you're having problems with your AC, I'd take it to a specialist and get an opinion.

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- How many miles should I allow between oil changes?

Different strokes for different folks. I follow Henry Schuman's advice, ( Henry's been a MB mechanic for decades )and use a HD 30 wt. Castrol and change it every 3000 miles. Other's use Rotella, or equivalent and change it every 3000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first... Othersuse synthetics and change it anywhere from every 5000 to every 12000 miles.. I like the shorter changes because it gets rid ot the suspended particles and lessens the amount of fuel that inedvidably seeps into the oil crankcase.

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- Any immediate maintenance work you think I should have done to the car?

Unless I mis-read it and it's really just a very small leak that does little more than stain your driveway, you should, for your own peace of mind, find that oil leak!
Also, pull the valve cover and check the tension on the timing chain. If it is reaching the end of the line, then replace that chain.... If it comes lose it will ruin your engine.
I don't think you have to adjust the valves on that engine.. but if so, then by all means do it.
best wishes,
charlie

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Thanks again for your insight!

 

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Other's use Rotella

Rotella Synthetic = win

You definately got a steal, I thought 2.4k was good for a 2.2L, but for a turbo 2.5L...wow

 

I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. I've just dropped off the new benz at what seems to be a reputable dealer. I had the injectors looked at (They said they run around 90 apiece, I thought they were about 45!), a compression test done, new fuel filters put it and a general check of the car performed.

This seems to be adding up and may cost over 1.5k. I think it's worth it. I really wish I was more knowledgable with repairing diesel engines. Dealerships are adept at charging ridiculous prices. I'm sure I'll save money in the long run with preventative maintanence such as this. I'm selling a pathfinder and the gas money really adds up in comparison.