78' 300d Benz. $500.. oil leak, dead battery Good deal? PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE
 

Hey here,
I just turned 18, and need a car. I have been wanting to get a veggie car since I was 12. Always want to whats best for the world.

I just went and saw a Good Condition '78 300d Mercedes.
It won't start, The battery died on it. The owner said the battery that came with it, when he bought the car died when it got cold, so he bought a new battery 6 months ago, and it died again when it got cold.. What do you think it could be?
The car also leaks oil from somewhere in th middle of the car. Rear seal maybe?
He is trying to sell it for $500, but I think I can talk him down to 3 or 4. The car is Beautiful outside and inn.
I was wanting to convert it to WVO and Bio. Is that a good car to do it on?
Please let me know, you guys are very brilliant!
Best Wishes,
Charan
www.myspace.com/charan1213
charanandreas@hotmail.com

a cheap MB is usual an expensive MB. meaning that if its that cheap, your looking at investing alot of money just to get it up and running and road worthy agian, before thinking about coverting. but thats just my $.02

Hi Charan, I would not buy it untill I here it run. of course the flip side of that is, if fit is in the condition you say it is, parts are worth that.
Oil leaks are common and can be addressed if they are too bad. middle of the car sounds like it may just be a valve cover leaking. That will be replaced anyway when you do your first valve adjustment and general maint. upon getting the car.

This car is probably one of thee best cars to convert. But don't jump too quick converting it. Take time to learn this car and find out if it is going to work for you before spending the money to convert. Converting cost alot more than just the price of the parts or kit. You also need alot of space/time/equipment to collect and filter oil, and a processor on top of
that if you want to make biodiesel. If by chance you do not decide to buy it, post it here and maybe someone else will want it. good luck and keep us informed

78 300d
 

Well, He claims it runs GREAT and never had any problems besides the dead battery, which happened a week ago. The oil is PITCH BLACK. It looked like the color of Pen Ink on the napkin. Is that normal for diesel? Or could it be Synthetic oil?

yep. thats normal for a diesel, even right after an oil change. see if you can take the battery and charge it so you can start it. also, try to find someone familar with BM to go with you and help evaluate it. It is hard for us to evaluate condition over the net.

A Wise Man Seeks Counsel.

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Thank you for your advice. I have the battery Charging in my garage right now, and am about to go test it on the car. I will keep you guys upto date;)
YOU ROCK!!
Charan

I''d sure want to hear it run before buying. The most logical explanation for two dead batteries in a row is a bad something in the charging system. But defective batteries aren't unknown.
You don't say how many miles, otto-matic, like that. All things being equal, I think a beginner would be better off with a 240d with a manual than a 300d with otto. That much simpler.

I would check for a bad valve cover gasket and take a look at the oil filter housing to the engine block gasket, this is common cause for leaks.
To really see where the leaks are coming from, you should have the engine degreased and pressure washed after you figure out the electrical problem and get it started. Once the engine is clean, you can easily see where all the leaks are coming from.

BTW- If you have a bad rear seal, your going to have to live with it unless you want to yank the motor out.

Where are you located? Perhaps someone nearby can go with you to help evaluate the car...

You know, it's posts like this that make me glad I joined this forum. A kid needs advice, and you guys jump in to help him! That's what this forum is all about!

I was 18 once too:rolleyes: .

Where is this kid/?

& where are the pictures???

How many miles on it / original?





....

So much depends on your willingness to learn and family support available in cases like your first car. Also whatever is wrong you should be prepared to get into it yourself. Perhaps easier said than done sometimes.
Anyone in your family with some mechanical leanings to guide you? Or good friends with experience? Do you have a place you can work on it? The individual who mentioned it might be a good ideal to take someone along with mercedes diesel experience is a great recomendation in itself.. .
You should post where you are. Then one never knows if a nearby member might consider having a look with you. A bad decision on a five hundred dollar car is a lot less harmful than paying several thousand dollars for a clapped out newer import in my opinion. At your age we start to learn what direction is up but it is a steep learning curve. A little help to flatten it does not hurt. By posting on this site you have started that procceedure I believe. I was eighteen and free once as well. Seems like eons ago but I do remember so I can relate.

One thing to consider is that the battery may be dead because the car is difficult to start and the current owner is running the battery down trying to start it.

SHould your car started, your best bet is using a voltmeter to test the voltage, should be almost 14V, if u're 12V or lower then there is no charge or no current is coming out of the Alterator/alternator.
Check the fan belt see if its tight enuf, or try turn hand on alt pulley, if it can slip a bit then is too loose. Forgot the tension, no more than 1/2 deflect?
Over tightened can be a big price to pay, as it will wore out the Alt or water pump bearing.

Auto can be tow started? not sure on Merc. Some car can tow her at 30 mph then put into drive and it should fire up.
Fuel filters can be a prob if sitting for sometime.
good luck.