hey benzbob, if your reading this your awesome. How do you know so much about diesel!? I have an 81 300 sd and an 86 320 SDL, i was wondering what i can do to keep it in perfect condition. Heres what i normally do/check: oil, transmission, anti-coolant(is prestone ok?), power steering(wal-mart brand work?), and brake fluid. Thats all that my dad and i know about the cars. If you could help me with some tips and advice i would really really appreciate it!

ALi,

81 300 SD 86 320 SDL 91 420 SEL

 

Ali

I'm around diesel engines a lot, mostly marine related. I maintain several Detroit diesel engines, mostly 71 series. Also have some experience with Leman, Yanmar, and Perkins diesel engines.

The engine in your 86 300SDL, is the OM603 6 cylinder diesel. There was a trap oxidizer (looks like a small oval aluminum muffler above the turbo and exhaust manifold) installed with these OM603 engines in 86 and 87. MB had a recall for replacement of these trap oxidizers because the would come apart internally and damage the turbo and exhaust system. Most were replaced, but there are still a few that never got replaced still on the road. If your SDL still has the old trap, go to any MB dealer and they will swap it out and if there is any damage caused to the turbo, or exhaust system, they will replace that too....for free!

The other thing you need to be aware of about the OM603 is head cracks. These early #14 heads were very prone to crack if ever over heated once! The trick to maintaining these heads from cracking is to make sure your cooling system is always in top maintained condition. (NEVER OVERHEAT THESE ENGINES) Make sure all the hoses, thermostat, water pump, clutch fan, aux electric fan (electric fan only comes on above 105c) and radiator, that all are in good shape. Also, do not use standard GREEN anti-freeze. This stuff is harmful to aluminum heads. It causes corrosion pitting between the head gasket and head. Use only Mercedes Benz pink ant-freeze, or anti-freeze labeled safe for aluminum. It's about $10 or $12 a gallon.

Change oil and filter ever 3K or 4K. Change fuel filters, primary and secondary at least once a year, or sooner.

I run Mobile One in my 87 300D, and change oil every 5000 miles. I also run Bio diesel fuel, B-20, in my car too! It quiets the engine quite a bit and it runs smoother on B-20 which is 20% soybean oil and 80% regular diesel, or Dino as it is called too! Good Luck......BB

 

Thank you so so much for the information, this helps me and my dad soooo much.

 

How does bio diesel fuel compare with conventional #2 fuel with respect to engine lubrication? Thanks.

 

Small World. I have 8V71 in mhy motorhome.
Shouldn't you call yourself Dieselbob?