Just got an 87 300D Turbo for $700. Slapped a ball joint on it and drove it down the road. It feels very sluggish, now I know it is a diesel, but I am wondering if the turbo might be shot. Does anyone have any incite on how I might test this? Turbos and Diesels are both very new to me, but I do have some automotive knowledge.

 

diesels are new to me also and i have spent some time reading this forum and there is much info here. the noise is an indication. sounds like a faint whistle when it spools up easier to hear in the lower rpm range. when diesels are reved up they make lots of noise and this would mask "turbine" like noise. not real familiar with mercedes diesels but a few i have worked on in trucks i could remove the intake and see the turbine spinning in the housing. doesn't mean its working well or proper but they were spinning faster when the engine was revved up. hope this helps a little and im sure more people will respond. andrew f

 

Fixed the turbo, it turned out two vaccum lines were broken. Replaced them and cleaned out the intake and EGR valve. Works like a charm now. This is a pretty damn fast diesel!

 

nice!

 

I have same problem....what vac hoses were bad? how to tell?