A common failure of OM60x engines is the head gasket between the first cylinder and the chain vault. There is an oil passage there! This results in raw oil being pumped out the exhaust, then power is WAY down, there is smoke and the engine doesn't idle very smoothly. Doesn't happen very often, but has occured in ALL OM601/602/603 engines.

I have had this occur on one of my engines. I have reports of suggestive symptoms from half a dozen people and in each case that I've said I believed this MIGHT be the problem, IT WAS THE PROBLEM. I wish that was because I was REALLY smart, but I suspect it's because I was really lucky. Remember, I didn't see or hear any of these engines except my own - so I'll have to praise the "reporters" on their descriptions! Cost to repair this is the cost of repalcing the head gasket and maybe a timing chain wheile you're there. Not a BIG deal.

I expect that blown turbo oil seals might cause similat symptoms, but the idle wouldn't be really rough. A repaired turbo will usually run about $50 plus a couple of hours of labor.

Do you know how fast it uses oil? The head gasket can get to a couple of qts per tank of fuel.

Marshall

Interesting. I'd be up for a head gasket replacement if that turns out to be the problem. How is the diagnosis made?

The owner saw the problem, drove directly to the shop then towed home.. I would guess 10 miles were put on the car since the problem presented itself.. so no idea on oil consumption.

While the head is off the turbo inspection/check out would be easy.

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Jim

The ONLY sure diagnosis is to pull the head. I'd say that if a compression test of the #1 cylinder was very low, I'd say that a 98% sure diagnosis, but ONLY pulling the head would absolutely confrim it.

I drove mine for several thousand miles - until it seemed to almost be using oil faster than fuel ;-)

Marshall

You actually drove your car around? This car made so much smoke, I literally could not see out the windows. It was a hazard to not only myself but any other vehicle within a 1/8 mile of me.

It did have someone of a "rough" idle but in all fairness it was started dead cold and had been sitting for a few weeks.. I know my 300SDL wouldn't be idiling perfect in those conditions, either.

I guess I'll make an offer and see what happens!

TD,

As I read Marshall's reply I remembered the failure he mentions has been discussed here before. The post about it included pictures of the gasket failure. I wish I could remember just who posted it...was it Steve or Donnie...I can't recall. Madel year and engine are similar/same to the best of my recollection.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Thanks for the tip Mike.

Oil consumption 602/603

Looks like the car has all of these symptoms.

My max offer was $1500.. he wants $1750 delivered.. do I take or pass? Need help!

PASS! wow, $1500 is generous enough, because you really don't know what's wrong. It could be easy and cheap, that would be good luck. But it is not usable now and if there were a lot of people who would take a chance on something like that, he would have sold it already

Yeah you're right. After thinking about it.. I'm not going any higher.

When I first called I swore I wasn't going to offer any more than $1000 but my heart got ahead of my head.. and I offered $1400 + $100 for delivery.

good luck, stand firm , fix it cheap, come out ahead

Make sure he has your number.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Well first he said $1900 then he called back 10 minutes later offering $1750.. I think he'll call again.. we are only $250 away.

On a side note here is a smilar car on ebay..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485968244&category=6330&sspagename=WDVW

You doing the right thing John.

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Jim

Guess I should have took it for $1700

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487058753&category=6330&sspagename=WDVW