Is This Diesel Engine Any Good? Quick Tests You Can Perform

[@vorsprungdurchtech]

There is no other diesel in the world that sounds as good as the Mercedes Benz 5cyl turbo diesel. I love it.

[@Redblock_Alex]

d5252t/ vw ahy axg 2.5l 5 pot is a fair shout

[@willriccio7524]

Well, maybe the OM616...

[@wendellthurston3819]

I fully agree with you.

[@drbuckshot7732]

Not even close

[@ronalddean3630]

Agreed especially at 70-80 MPH😃

[@jamesadams2333]

That is the cleanest engine I’ve ever seen! That’s an engine that’s gonna be around for a long time with the right care. What a lucky find that was! Well done Kent!

[@simonburns1799]

Kent, I am an Australian living in Africa. They say that Mercedes go to Africa to die. We try to save as many 123's and 126's as possible. We are achieving extraordinary life out of our diesels. Thank you for your service in keeping these truly remarkable vehicles alive.

[@trevorspary134]

Always so good to here a master explaining things. Greetings from Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺

[@truckerchannel1885]

My mechanic did similar test in my semi truck. It’s amazing knowledge you can avoid thousands of dollars mistakes.

[@jessman1004]

Congratulations! This is Tom from Germany. I´ve been growing up with a lot of W123 and 124 Diesels. But this is the ultimative master explaining for testing these engines. Thank you!

[@Mercedessource]

Thank you very much!

[@MrMicke1969]

I just love the sound of OM 615/616/617 ❤

[@antonhuman8446]

The outside world takes note of the US, amongst other, by "there is no substitute for cubic inches". Also. Bear firmly in mind. There is also no substitute for experience. What a vault of knowledge you are. Thank you.

[@chriswise3400]

I just got a 83 300td wagon and I’ll be doing these tests tomorrow morning to see how the engine is. It has 326k and starts right up but does blow smoke till it warms up. Awesome to know you are up in Washington as I am only 4 hours away

[@skoda110]

Hi this engine sounds amazing. W123 is really hard to get now. I bought w124 om605 just to be able to listen to this. You just presented very good testing. Greetings from Poland

[@domino-ve6ei]

Always learn a thing or two from you Uncle Kent! Thanks for your time on these videos. Your the man! That engine is music to my ears btw

[@martinoneill2]

KB you are a legend. Keep it up.

[@offgridmangogrower]

One of the best cursory inspection tests I’ve watched. Mine has always been the number of rotations till it fires off….

[@michaellieuwalen5148]

Very nice to get a nice long video again😁😁😁 Digby is doing great here in Curacao and sends his greeting also😅

[@Mercedessource]

Hi Michael, that is great to hear. Long live Digby!

[@-DC-]

W123 Diesel Mercedes Benz at the absolute pinnacle of Quality Vehicles.

[@impactodelsurenterprise2440]

Damn that meter cluster brings back old memories when i was still kid being driven around by my dad.

[@earlmccoubrey7580]

Actually, the four-cylinder sounds lovely, especially when starting cold in winter. Love it!

[@MrTopherlicious]

MAn - this video is especially good! Thank you for all you do for the W123 community!

[@rainbowdashieness]

My 83 merc has almost 400k miles on her and fires on the 1st crank. Needs alot a vacuum TLC, but mechanically beautiful!

[@mitch300sdl]

I would enjoy watching you inspect my 87 with 500,000 plus miles . I service it and use Mercedes source parts .

[@albertbekassy2709]

Thanks for the advice! This engine was in perfect order. I would like to see another Digby engine, If it's worth saving. That was fun!

[@alfredolopez-bruce6199]

Very well instructional video. I have a 300D that will not start. Is your shop in southern California? I have learned about diesel engines. Thanks.

[@SmithAerosports1]

Thanks. I just finished cleaning a crusty fuel tank on a 1980 300D. New hoses and strainer installed. 🚗

[@ronalddean3630]

Wow, this was good. A question about smoking. What is the smoking that occurs when moving into high speed (entering the freeway from a ramp)? Sometimes when I floor it I look in the rear-view mirror and I am reminded of the Aston Martin in the original James Bond films (smoke screen). Not sure that is normal because when you revved the engine, after the adjustments, there wasn't much smoke. Can't wait to do the testing on my 300TD. 👌👌👌Thanks for your superb knowledge and willingness to share it.

[@unwoke1652]

We had the non-turbo OM617 5cyl Diesels. The OM617 is just an OM616 240D with a 5th cylinder added as a cheerleader for the lazy 4. 😂

[@note_finger]

my 240D starts right up with no hesitation, and oil pressure goes straight up, but it has alot of blow by

[@mbenz9389]

Mr. Kent is a walking encyclopedia

[@hanseich]

I’ve not been around these engines enough yet (I just purchased one and will be inspecting it tomorrow). I don’t recognize the black module with the vacuum hoses on the valve cover seen @20:30 mounted close to the throttle linkage. What is that? Is that an aftermarket modification/improvement?

[@Mercedessource]

That is factory equipment on most 1980 to 1984 Mercedes diesels. You can google it to learn more. It includes vacuum 3/2 valves that help control the EGR valve operation and transmission shifting. If it is missing, then someone removed it. Here is what it looks like: mercedessource.com/store/1981-1984-om617-turbo-diesel-32-valve-assembly-fittings-used

[@CrToloss]

Very nice uncle Ken..

[@clintonandrews1538]

I have two questions you could answer: First, did the 300d Turbo Diesel have air conditioning? Second, did the engine have removable cylinder liners that would make rebuilding much easier? Thank you for your answers.

[@Mercedessource]

Yes and yes

[@clintonandrews1538]

Thank you! I really appreciate your answer.@@Mercedessource

[@TuneGmotorsports]

Does the oil pressure apply to gasoline v8 m119 engines as well? Cold start and at idle I usually have low oil pressure reading on my gauge. I’ll check tomorrow but I’m sure it moves up when I’m driving 😅

[@Mercedessource]

Yes. If your engine is healthy it should come right up to full pressure once you idle over 1200 rpm

[@naopak259]

My oil presure on 240d goes right up to 3 and dont dance is that a good sign ? Thanks

[@Mercedessource]

If it stays there when the engine is hot that is an excellent sign

[@onkelt2624]

Hello, whats up with that shaking Problem? The Injectionpump?

[@ronalddean3630]

diesel engines always have some vibration going on I believe.

[@markwoodley712]

I miss the 1983 Volvo 244 Diesel my family owned, a comforting sound.

[@MrTopherlicious]

Awe man!!! What is the polish you use for the valve covers?!?! I have one that is especially bad!

[@Mercedessource]

Here is the link: mercedessource.com/store/anti-corrosive-gel-magnesium-and-aluminum

[@gabrielayers]

I really learned a lot but as someone who’s never owned a W300 TD and is looking at on nearby I wonder how acceptable it would be to test all these things before making a purchase. I guess I should feel just in doing so since I am the customer but damn

[@ronalddean3630]

I asked the same question @gabrielayers It probably depends on the seller. Some might object to it, which maybe that means walk away from it especially if the price is low. We don't want to find out it fails all of the tests AFTER we take delivery of the vehicle.

[@cardiffchris]

I just got beat out of a 1981 300D It must have been a good one if it sold before i could go see it.

[@alexbredewoud5063]

Sounds great! Does these injectors has a small washer above the chamber don't know the name in English brandplaat in dutch

[@bokosdieselgarage]

Yes they do, it’s called a crush washer.

[@grantanderson4452]

Hello Sir Kent, if the cap dances and hops on a cold start and cold day 35 degrees is that excessive blow by or for that test car needs to be warmed up ? Thank you, you are a legend and as soon as your online shop opens i need the compression test pack with injector tester and cleaner

[@Mercedessource]

Remember the cap dance test is only one indicator. Better indicators are compression tests and high oil consumption. If it blows off the engine completely while idling that is bad. If it does not move at all, that is very good. Anything in between is okay provided other tests prove acceptable.

[@grantanderson4452]

@@Mercedessource has to be warm correct. Heading to buy it today

[@Mercedessource]

yes warm is a better indicator. Our online store will be open again on Sunday. Thanks

[@robertcasserly9967]

What does it mean when there is blow bye in the air filter ? And what can be done about it?

[@andrewthacker114]

Great to watch

[@sugarmaplelodge3915]

Thank you so much for the video. I Have a 1984 300d 4 speed and the oil presser gauge stays on 3 all the time. I this okay? Or is it problematic of something bad? Thanks!

[@Mercedessource]

You are as good as maple syrup on pancakes... even blueberry pancakes!!!

[@sugarmaplelodge3915]

@@Mercedessource 😀

[@cocopublicnews6766]

I ordered a set of manifold studs from your site they got stolen I cant find anymore

[@Mercedessource]

You might be thinking of someone else. I do not sell manifold studs on my website.

[@johncunningham4820]

Well the Owner DID say he had rebuilt it . Seems he DID . So it SHOULD be good as New .

[@IraHayesIraHayes]

another great video

[@vagscanetprogramation7239]

I love the w123 5 cylinder 300d not for anything in him only the sound of the engine i very love it the sound of the real strong diesel

[@adelkheir]

Hello Kent. You probably won't read this, but is there any chance that you can showcase gas powered w123s ? like the 230 M115, or 250 M123 ?

[@Mercedessource]

Sorry, but I can not showcase what I don't own or work on in depth. These models are very hard to find in the U.S.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@@Mercedessource Very true. Never seen a w123 with a gas engine on the road.

[@adelkheir]

@@vintage76vipergreenBeetle From where I'm from, diesel w123s are non existent because they were never imported. Only the gas ones are running around and I see alot of them.

[@grumpysemrau7204]

Mine 1984 300d looks just like that

[@samehamer.]

شكرا جزيلا

[@Mercedessource]

مرحباً بك

[@chotuusian4127]

Good work

[@PJ-qx5yt]

Hi, thanks for the video! I have a question: how much smoke coming out of the exhaust do you consider normal? I'm in the market for one (1972 W115 OM616) and saw one put out a lot of smoke. It was mostly black, not blue or white. Just wondering what all this might indicate, and whether I should ever expect the exhaust to be 100% clear. Thanks!

[@MichaelMulin]

Buy 1985 w123 best one trust me

[@adventurousairman]

Love it

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

👍

[@Ferraridude13]

You should make a video with a basket case engine, just to see what a bad one sounds/looks like

[@Mercedessource]

I have already done that a few times over the last 14 years. You can search my channel to see more videos on Diesel engines.