I'll be looking at a 1987 300TD Wagon (180k) tomorrow and after reading some post about this model car it looks like the engine head has had some cracking issues...

-How can I tell if the car I am looking at ha a #14 or 17 or 22, is it a part# that can be identified easily?

- What are the signs of a crack? Oil leak? Coolant seepage?

-I was told that this particular car has some door lock problems, I guess vacuum related. Is this something fixable? Expensive? Is this an indication that there might be some other vacuum issues? How can I tell? What should I check?

- Also read a lot about the hydrau suspension. If the system is leaking, is it obvious just by looking at the rear suspension sys or do you need to have the car on a lift?


Any other suggestions concerning the 1987 300TDT would be very helpful.

I'll take the car to a garage for a pre-buy inspection but it would be nice to avoid the cost of the inspection if it is obvious that the car has some major troubles.


Thank you.

F

 

So went today to test drive the 87 300tdt.

I was amazed at the difference compare to the 300SD. The 87 is much smoother, very quiet and feels like a much newer car.
I found a part number which end by 14 on the head, so I guessed that it was still the #14 that everybody is talking about. All in all the car was clean, drove nicely but the odometer was broken (189k) and it is difficult to guess how many miles were actually on the car. I found among the tiny bit of maintenance record that it was showing the same milage in 2007, so looks like it has been broken from quite some time.... The owner did not seem to know much about the car, he had some recent maintenance records showing that some seals had been replaced in the engine, no info on which seals... The car has been running on biodiesel for 2 years and even though the engine looked clean, no obvious leakage, I have no feel for this car what so ever. Maybe the attitude of the seller had a lot to do with it. Did not seem to care much.


So I guess I am going to pas on that one....

The 87 ride was very comfortable but I really like the way my 300SD feels.

F

 

just bought a 1987 300TDT wagon in Raleigh, NC through Craigs list. Over 200k miles but in pretty good shape. I had it towed to my favorite mechanic. He is doing an inspection, changing the oil and replacing the power steering unit. He said that it should be fine as a daily driver after that service.

I paid $2,000.00 and the repairs will be about $1,300. I can't wait to start driving it.


I will send you an update as I find things that need to be fixed. I am sure I will encounter many little problems due to the number of miles on this car. The engine has been rebuilt but I am guessing that the transmission and turbo will need service soon.
ROB A

 

Just picked up a 300tdt for a couple hundred dollars,the wagon is in good shape,but a blown headgasket or cracked head,my problem is i can't find a repair manual for it. Can anybody help me with it.i have looked everywhere for one.

 

I just bought a 1987 300tdt with a locked up engine,im not worried about the rebuild for i have been a diesel mechanic for over 25 years, but what i would like to know is the little tricks that you more experienced owners have in the overhaul of the motor