This is likely already covered somewhere but I haven't found it yet. Maybe someone can give me a quick link to it.
I'm the proud new owner of a 1984 300d turbo, my first functional diesel car. It's been in storage for two years so I figure I aughta change all the fluids, oil, trans, coolant, brake and rear axle. Did I miss anything?
What are your favorite weights and brands? Anything I should avoid? Winter's coming and I'll park it when they start salting the roads but how bout winter weights, too?
Thanks!

What I use:

Engine: Rotella T6 5W40
Coolant: Zerex G05
Trans: Cherry juice (aka Dexron III)
Diff: cheap 80W90
Brakes: DOT4

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

No need to change engine oil if it is not very black. Transmission oil is good almost for life, but change if it smells burnt. Rear axle is good for life. Definitely change coolant and brake fluid. In my 300D's, I use Evans Waterless coolant and DOT5 silicone brake fluid, both of which last forever (no corrosion).

When you do change engine oil, always use "CJ" rated "diesel" oil. It has more detergents to suspend the ample carbon from a diesel. Many classic owners use diesel oil in their gas engines, since higher quality and more zinc to protect lifters. You can use regular "gas" oil in an emergency. The Owner's Manual list weight choices, pretty much the same as for gas engines. 10W40 if you live in the South or 10W30 up North. Hedge slightly thicker if the engine is worn and shows much blow-by puffing w/ the oil cap off.

Transmission oil choice is in dispute here. Many use Dexron III (GM), which is also cheapest. I have used Mercon VI (Ford). You would probably be OK with any type. Many racers and classic owners use Type F (Ford) since it has more friction for faster, harder shifts, and thus less clutch plate wear, but not as comfortable to passengers.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

I just read this and it peaked my interest.

Can you please elaborate on the use Ford type F in our mercedeses? I heard people say "never use type F" and I have also read that its okay... Not trying to start any "transmission oil wars", just wanting to know more...

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'82 300D (project)
'46 Willys (project)
"Nothing seems to be the way it should in this garage." -jt20
"Smarter than an engine, dumber than a hoodlatch..." -jt20
"Start jumping up and down to smoosh down those engine mounts" -DeliveryValve
"no" -kerry
"At this rate, you may have it done by winter" -layback40

I would use as close to the original MB specs as possible and be wary of what you read on the internet forums

BTW, Skippy's choices are close to what I use except I use Mobil TBT 5W40 if I can find it. If you drive in cold area, you need an oil that has low pour point for easier winter starts. Mobil 1 0Wxx and 5Wxx has that, but for some reason they no longer show it in their specs.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Thanks guys, this is just the kind of schooling I need.

Congratulations on your acquisition. Change out the brake fluid. It's really pretty easy- I just do it by gravity.

Manufacturer specs are here: Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids: Overview Sheets

Engine oils: Specification 229.3, or 229.5
Differential oil: Specification 235.7
Coolants: Specification 325.0
Lots of us use Zerex G-05, mentioned above. I have read it is the same as the MB Coolant, at least in the US, although I might get corrected. It is usually available at NAPA stores. Owner's manual specifies that the coolant should be changed every 3 years.

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Marshall Welch
Seattle, WA
1982 300D-T

Oil: delo 400 Le
Trans: Fuchs Titan 4000
Coolant: Mercedes
Diff: liquid moly gl4 85w90
Steering pump: atf. Just used leftover Fuchs Titan
Brake fluid: ate dot 4

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1983 300CD Turbodiesel

15w40 delo,dot #4,Coastal semi syntheic ATF, poly gycol anti freeze at 100% I use 85w140 syn. gear oil in diff.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt