E class Merc 300 deasael. Shit?

[Lankytim]

As above. I've spied a cheap 1997 E class with a 3 litre veg munching donk and bader box but are they any good?

 

This one looks solid enough but has an incurable misfire when hot.

 

One to avoid?

[forddeliveryboy]

See http://autoshite.com/topic/17665-merc-people-tell-me-about-the-w210/#

 

Could be melted injectors and burnt valves if it's been run on petrol. Has someone had a fight with a glow plug and dropped bits of it into the cylinder?

 

Is it one particular cylinder or does it stumble on various? I'm supposing the obvious, like a blocked primary or secondary filter has been checked - and other obvious stuff like air in the lines or a knackered (rare) delivery pump. If someone has been pouring waste oil (including waste engine oil) into the tank then the inside of the engine as well as the tank could be all fouled up. If it's very cheap and rot-free, may be worth a gamble if you can do the easy stuff yourself.

[Lankytim]

Thanks for that, no idea how I missed that thread!

 

I don't know much about the running issue other than it only happens when the engine is hot. The guy has a phone number on his ad and when I googled it it came up with a number of ads including desperate pleas for help in trying to fix the misfire. Apparently many have tried and failed.

 

He thinks it could be the vacuum pump.

[cort16]

I think the diesel in these is just a relatively normal diesel engine I don't think it's pdi with high pressure fuel pumps or whatever.

A fault that only appears when hot and probably under load is a night mare to diagnose as you have to wait for the flippin thing to warm up for it to happen then everytime you go near it, it'll burn your knuckles off.

If it's mega cheap and you can bridge it if all else fails then why not else avoid.

[Rocket88]

I would get it sniff tested..................poss headgasket?

[alf892]

Thanks for that, no idea how I missed that thread!

 

I don't know much about the running issue other than it only happens when the engine is hot. The guy has a phone number on his ad and when I googled it it came up with a number of ads including desperate pleas for help in trying to fix the misfire. Apparently many have tried and failed.

 

He thinks it could be the vacuum pump.

Well it won't be the vac pump.......

[dome]

Unless its only a bit above scrap value I'd run away, otherwise you're just buying someone else's problem.

[Cavcraft]

Pretty rubbish I'm afraid, only out-shitted by the newer version, which was pretty much unmatchable in the terrible stakes.

[PiperCub]

Don't E-Classes of this age have real issues with rust? I thought the late nineties were MB's rusty period (like mid eighties Fords but with a lot less excuses).

[Lord Sterling]

Don't E-Classes of this age have real issues with rust? I thought the late nineties were MB's rusty period (like mid eighties Fords but with a lot less excuses).

Not all E-classes. Most of them did rot but there are also probably as many solid examples.

 

That myth goes up there with that old chestnut: "oMg dOnt lyke ALL RovErz suffer with oMgHgF????"

[cort16]

You know those hand held analysers you get that tell you the purity of precious metals?

 

Like this

 

 

I'm hoping one day they can have a machine like this you can put up against a car and it'll return it's shitness level.

 

 

 

[Lankytim]

I may give it a miss then, Its on Egay for £350 if anyone wants a look....

[Cavcraft]

LOL @ 99.9% DANGER.

[PiperCub]

Not all E-classes. Most of them did rot but there are also probably as many solid examples.

 

That myth goes up there with that old chestnut: "oMg dOnt lyke ALL RovErz suffer with oMgHgF????"

Agreed, there are always exceptions to any sweeping generalisation. A previous boss of mine had a starship-mileage '98 E320 TD estate and his local dealership mechanic complimented him on how rust free it was compared to what he'd seen.

[Lacquer Peel]

I would give an E Class a go if it was cheap and not shit. A 300 turbo diesel estate is apealling.

[Lankytim]

Here it is PPL,

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111415464324?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[forddeliveryboy]

Look like he's a trader of cheap stuff - so he's bought it for nowt on the chance it would be an air leak in the lines. Wasn't, nor was it anything else simple his mates could fathom.

 

So I'd avoid it myself, there are some great examples of these for barely more money. But check the front end for rot. Front wings are only the tip of the iceberg, unlike on the 124 where they're usually the only bit of rot. As I mentioned, subframes and inner wings are places to start looking. And as Warren-t-c says, there are some utterly brilliant ones out there.

 

 

 

You know those hand held analysers you get that tell you the purity of precious metals?

 

Like this

 

 

I'm hoping one day they can have a machine like this you can put up against a car and it'll return it's shitness level.

 

avxas.png

 

There is one, although it's not so portable you can drive your car into it. Take a bit off and offer it up. Google search Brinell. It's the way I confirmed my suspicions about many cars, years ago. In fact, good eyes and seat of the pants is better, if you're aware of these things.