Hi, just bought a 1980 300TD non turbo, always wanted a wagon. It had sat on and off over the last six years.
I did get it started by changing the fuel filters draining and replacing the diesel fuel.
My questions are?
It has a miss, wondering if it could be bad injectors?
What all should I do to it right away running wise. The glow plugs are good, or I think they are the light goes out when running and doesnt stay on.
Car has 168,000 miles on it.
I know i have SLS problems but am most concerned about running wise first then addressing the SLS.

Also it seems that it looses prime and takes a while to crank it when sitting too.
So these are questions I have please help if you can.
Thank you
Shawn

 

The SLS is low on fluid and had a line with a hole in it. I'm positive I can and will fix it, I have always wanted a wagon so I definitely will figure it out. The rear struts dont leak and the pump works, so its not going to be to bad to fix.
I am worried about the engine missing and seems to lose prime when its sat for a couple minutes. It seems the manual diesel primer pump you unscrew it and there is no pressure behind it when you pump it, if you loosen it with the engine running the car cuts out badly. but there is no pressure behind it even when you try to pump it, im thinking i need to replace it. Also have a miss when idling and seems worse when you put it in gear. Dont know if i should run some injector cleaner thru them or just replace them, i think the glow plugs are ok, the light it out when i start the car.

 

The primer pump could be your whole problem, if it's pulling air it will cause the engine to run rough as well as making it hard to start. If repairs to the primer pump don't work. First make sure all of your return lines are in good shape, then crack each injector line at the injector, this will tell you which cylinder isn't hitting, and also if there is fuel getting to the injector. Don't make repairs to the injectors unless you know how to do it, you can do more harm than good. A reputable injector repair shop can do the reairs fairly reasonably. Rebuilt injectors can be purchased on line as well.
Just because the glow plug light goes out dosen't mean that all of the glow plugs are working properly, but if the engine starts fairly easily they probably are.

 

I ordered a new primer pump black handled one today. The car started which shocked me its only 20 degrees here and i didnt plug it in. I also ordered the return lines I can see where they are leaking from the injectors. I figured I would change the manual primer & return lines and do a diesel purge and have the valves adjusted. The miss also seems to be going thru the intake, so my guess is its partially valve out of adjustment? If you have any ideas, I really appreciate it.
I do not know how to do the valve adjustment so i am going to put the car on my trailer and bring it into town and have it done, hopefully someone can teach me to do them.

 

Just waiting for parts, will let you know how it goes just as soon as they get here. Cant wait to get my little wagon running good and enjoy it.

 

Got my new primer pump on, adjusted valves. Started right up no engine miss, knocking or smoking. I'm pretty darn happy about it. only problem i had is didnt get the valve cover on right was up in the back a little so leaked oil but fixed that now, the car runs fantastic.
Time to move onto the SLS system and fix it. found my leak and fixing it this afternoon. Will let you know how it goes. currently do not know if i need new accumulators or not but I will know soon. Read where i can only use febi or oem Mercedes fluid so I am sticking with that.
Any ideas, let me know this is my project and going to be my daily driver when I get it all ironed out. Love this car.
Still have to service the power steering and change filter, transmission and change filter along with SLS filter and flushing it out. plus rear end fluid change.
Doing it right.
Figure if i can restore old cars I can figure this one out, never worked on a diesel but am reading and learning real quick.
Thank you to everyone that has sent me ideas and what to do.

 

SLS fixed. Yeah... and was a cheap fix line going to pump was sucking air in along with the lever rod under the back out of adjustment, no more low rider wagon...LOL
Thanks for all the insight and help, I really appreciate it.