Am I an Idiot????????????

[erfaniman]

Ok, I just bought a 1986 350 SDL. Crap! Am i stupid? I heard they have problems. Am i screwed? What are some preventions i can take to make it last? Its so beautiful!!!!!!!

Ali
1981 300 SD
1986 350 SDL

[Brian Carlton]

Well, I certainly don't think you are an idiot, but, others might if you call the vehicle a 350SDL.

It's the same vehicle as mine.

[erfaniman]

YOu have any problems with yours so far? How many miles are on your baby? Mine has 110k.

ALi

If it's an 86, it's a 300SDL. The 350SDL didn't arrive until 90 or 91, and yes, you could have been disappointed finding out that they are known as "rod benders" and are about the only Mercedes diesel to stay away from. On the other hand, well, I wont get into that!

Do yourself a favor and read as many threads here in the search section under: OM603 #14 heads. Just something you should be aware of.

The 86 300SDL is a wonderful car if you like land yachts...he he he I prefer the smaller, more nimble 87 300D! It has the same diesel engine as the SDL.

No, your not a fool, but close! ......BB

[erfaniman]

Where do i search for the OM603 #14 heads?

ALi

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by erfaniman

YOu have any problems with yours so far? How many miles are on your baby? Mine has 110k.

ALi

Well, they all have "issues".

I've had this one just over a year now and it has the usual:

Tie rods
Upper control arms and stabilizer bushings
Right side stabilizer bracket and bushing
Combination switch
Combination relay
Cruise amplifier
Refinish wheels
New tires
New Euro headlights
Rear suspension bushings (subframe bushings, trailing arm bushings, diff mount)
Realign doors
Exhaust downpipe.
Alpine stereo head unit.

It's mileage reads 120K but, I suspect it has a few more.

[erfaniman]

Hey brian, thanks for the info. What else can i do to prevent the notorious "rod bending" from happening?

[Hatterasguy]

No you are far from and idiot, these are great cars that are a lot of fun to work on and drive.

If it is an 86 then it is a 300SDL, if it is a 350SDL then it is a 90-91. Look at the badge on the trunk at least know what model you have before you get nervious. Run the vin, find out what you have first.

The 300SDL has two potential trouble spots:
The original heads were kind of weak and if you overheat them they will crack. Look for the serial number on the head, it is right behind the 2nd intake runner. 14 is the original anything higher is good. However 14 heads last just as long as the others if not overheated. A 14 head does not bother me one bit, why would you ever overheat a car?

Area two is the vacuum pumps on the front of the engine. The originals have a smooth cover the new ones have 4 screws in the cover. If you see 4 screws forget about it. However if the cover is smooth I would replace it soon. The original pumps have exposed bearings that can fall into the timing chain if the pump fails, causing the engine to self destruct. About $300-$400 depending on where you get it.

The 350's on the other hand have these problems fixed. However it is possible that one day the rods could bend and require you to replace the bottom end. Depending on how much you do yourself and what you change figure $5k-$10k. If this bothers you sell the car. However the chances of this happening are very small, their are many of these cars running around with tons of miles on them. But their still is a chance.

Other then that it is a W126. Pretty basic and simple car to work on with cheap availible parts.

[erfaniman]

Thanks man, that helps so much! Do you have aim or email so i could contact you personally? Thanks again

ALi

1981 300SD
1986 350SDL?

[Hatterasguy]

Hattaresguy@aol.com

I will be glad to help a new SDL owner.