Thinking of buying: 1972 220D W115 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

justinperkins · #1 01-05-2007, 05:19 PM

This car has been sitting for a while (at least a year or more) due to needing a new IP according to the current owner.

The body/interior is in great condition, but I'd like to know what to watch out/check for regarding this little diesel. I am fully aware that replacing the IP is an expensive task, but beyond that are there are likely faults with this car?

It's an auto and yes I know it will be S-L-O-W.

tscorda · #2 01-05-2007, 06:23 PM

You need to have the engine cranked by hand if it has been sitting for a while. This you do with the drive shaft pully and a 22 mm I believe deep socket. I would remove the glow plugs and put in a few drops of oil and crank gently by hand. Get the history of the vehicle and have it inspected by a mechanic. Test or make sure glow plug circuitry is working. Look for rust under carpets and under car. Try to get some history on the car, mileage ect. oil changes ect.

Valve adjustements are important so see when that was done last or at all. Best test for the engine is how it starts in the cold after a glow charge.

I am looking at a 1972 220D as well with 198K miles on it. These cars are a blast but they are for driving. If you want a piece of furniture to run in the parade once a year get a gasser. These should never be put out to pasture. run the piss out of em on the highway.

Regards Tom 1979 240D

justinperkins · #3 01-05-2007, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the tips, I hear that removing the GPs and squirting some oil in there is just a good idea in general if the car was sitting a while.

Since the IP is kaput, I won't be starting this 220D cold or otherwise.

The car is actually at a shop I go to, the mechanic bought it a while ago with the intention of replacing the IP, never got around to and he's willing to sell it for what he bought it for (so he claims).

I'll check out the rust areas and make sure the GPs at least get power. Are there any other engine problems to watch out for, like a bad head or something (don't know how I'd test that without it running, but..)?

I didn't mention it, but I figured my sig would clue you in, I'm a diesel fan and have no intention of buying a gasser unless it's some type of super classic. I just sold an 80 300TD and a diesel Golf. Both good cars.

I'm not one to be content with just two daily drivers, I need something to tinker with that also has some style. The 72 220D seemed to be what I'm looking for right now.

ABBWR · #4 01-05-2007, 10:29 PM

I concur that these things are great runners. Mine spent 25 years in storage after running 117K. It was pulled out for awhile 12-15 years ago. Tags still said 1981. When it was pulled out it was cleaned up, tuned, up, new tires, etc then put back in. The fuel gage was stuck at about 1/4 tank. I added 5 gallons of new diesel, hooked up a new battery, glowed the plugs real well and it eventually cranked up. I did run the battery down and hooked up my van with jumper cables but it still started up and ran. I eventually spent a couple weeks replacing every belt, hose, brakes and fluid in the entire vehicle then drove it 1000 miles in 2 days to move it to NJ from WI. I eventually replaced a number of things that I could not address in WI without ordering the parts like the sway bar links that looked good but disintegrated when we started running it around. The horns were frozen (replaced), A/C compressor was cracked (replaced) but I didn't need them for the trip. I also got (without the A/C hooked up) almost 30 mpg.

They really are a blast to drive and as I have shared before and so many others on this forum can attest, the true beauty and quality of these cars can only be realized by someone who can compare it to what Detroit was putting out in 1972.

Good luck and enjoy.

Bill

Benzcrusher · #5 01-05-2007, 10:56 PM

115's are really pretty cars, I hate that I sold my '75 240D but it was rusted to hell..... Finding an IP for a 220 might be a challange, I'd consider droping in a 240 motor if the 220 has had it.
BTW I have one pulled from a '75 240D parts car with ~180,000 miles. Now the motor is a factory crate replacement motor dated about 1979, miles are unknown and it has been dormant for about 9 years.

Colorado220 · #6 01-05-2007, 11:05 PM

I love my 71 220D............. It has ben great... Here are the problems I have had..... GLOW PLUGS!!!!!! That is it..... they burn out quickly....... I have decieded to upgrade mine to a new system all together........... I met another guy that did that and his problem went away!!!!! Other that that I am happy with my half a million miled car........ Yes.. SLOW it will be, but reliable......... Just watch if you get into the negative temps...... starting is a pain if you don't plug in...... So what to look for.. well rust(which I am sure you knew) Trunk seals...... diesel will get into the trunk, My gas guage needed replaced about 7 years ago...... works now, my horns went out....... That's really it............. It has been a suburb car.......... I love mine!!!! Oh yeah... Subframe bushings........ I did those when I first bought my benz in 97..er...98???

Mike D · #7 01-06-2007, 08:22 AM

If the pump is bad then drop in a 240D engine. Those pumps are a booger to find in any kind of decent condition. The last one I had rebuilt was $700 from a friend of mine in the business. They are usually so worn out they are un-rebuildable.

240 engines are a dime a dozen. You'll appreciate the extra engine when it comes A/C time. My 220 would overheat in about 20 minutes of traffic time with the A/C on. It helped to go to a Sandan compressor but it still was a gutless wonder with the A/C.

tscorda · #8 01-06-2007, 11:38 AM

I hopefully will be picking up my 72 220D in a few months. Southern car little rust, 198K and only 45K on a Mercedes Rebuilt engine. Original family. Price was right and in good shape. All maintenance records

Tom
1979 240D daily driver

justinperkins · #9 01-06-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tscorda

I hopefully will be picking up my 72 220D in a few months. Southern car little rust, 198K and only 45K on a Mercedes Rebuilt engine. Original family. Price was right and in good shape. All maintenance records

Tom
1979 240D daily driver

Wow, beautiful!

t walgamuth · #10 01-06-2007, 01:06 PM

i would be careful to have someone who knows benz diesels check it out. inexperienced mechanics often suspect the ip. the ip is usually the LAST thing to go bad on a benz.

tom w

meltedpanda · #11 01-07-2007, 02:12 PM

W115's rock!
mine is a gasser, probably one of the most well known on this list
Give my thread a cruise

1971 220

justinperkins · #12 01-07-2007, 02:31 PM

Yeah I actually checked out that thread already, I wish I could score this one for free too

Jim B. · #13 01-08-2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

are there are likely faults with this car?

It's an auto and yes I know it will be S-L-O-W.

I heard a description in some car magazine as "Clacking like a basket of castanets as it crawls on its hands and knees from zero to sixty"..... and that was an '82 300SD!!!

But hell they are stately, dignified, easy to work on, a REAL quality built Mercedes, and will last you forever, just don't get one with rust.