Yes, my friend was trying to be helpful! He felt badly about it - although it wasn't his fault. I would have done this job myself...

Just to be clear, my friend didn't add the oil - the guy from the shop did. I agree with those who've suggested that something else is going on as well - I'm just not sure myself and I have no desire to try and take advantage of the shop either...

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RG Newell

1984 300D
1972 250
1986 560SL
1991 300CE

Some accidents will never have the cause determined....
take the engine and install it in your car and go on...
or put it into a better body ...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Unless you told him to get the oil change, he likely decided it was time for an oil change because something didnt seem right. (typical non-auto minded person response)

Perhaps the lack of oil and low pressure exacerbated this issue. Don't feel too bad about accepting the money from the shop, they did make a really big mistake and COULD have cost you an engine - perhaps they did to some degree.

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post a video of it running.

plenty of people here can tell you if its worth spending some time on before scrapping the engine.

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I cringe at the thought of lending one of these cars to anyone. My wife drives mine most of the time—I ride my motorcycle—and she is 72 years old and has never had a wreck in her life, but I still manage her use of the car closely. These things are just too old, and too different from other cars to be put in the hands of the uninitiated.

That said, 1300 dollars sounds like a good deal. Mine is in near perfect shape with 182,000 miles, and I would not expect to get much more than that if I sold it.

Richard