Hi all, first post. Just picked up an '81 300SD 200K miles. Noticed that the oil is jet black and has hard acceleration from 1st to 2nd (which looks common as i read through your posts, possible vaccuum line issue right?) Now, this is my first diesel, but i know the oil shouldn't be black, should it?? It runs smooth as all heck, starts right up in the morning. I read about starting it, not to let it idle and warm up, but to drive it cold and at low RPM's until it warms up?? I don't see how that's possible, on mine (how the previous owner explained to me) Wait for the coil light to turn off,, then do another cycle of that again, then i have step on the gas lightly as i turn the car on and keep it pressed until it reaches a point that it can stay on without the gas pedal being depressed. Is that normal, or do i have an underlining issue???

Also I know it has a bad shock in the front passanger side, i'm looking to replace all of them with Bilstein and the springs with Eibach, and also the tire which are a bit bald and tiny, 14' wheels seems a little small for these cars no?? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. thanks

 

welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks