hello
hello everyone, i have bought a 1987 lwb 300 GD, 84000 miles, a perfect interior and engine but it has three years of weather on the body. my plan is to replace the rust affected panels instead of having them repaired, is this best?. also i understand there were two engines used, one good and one not so good, i'm no real mechanic and didn't know anything about these vehicles until i bought this, it failed it's test needing discs and pads and a few bulbs but otherwise is solid as a rock. thoughts??
Hi Ski, welcome to the forum. You are in the right place for some help with your G. You might think about filling in the rest of your profile so we can see where you are, and maybe post some pics if you have any, I'm sure we would all like to see what you have.
Panel replacement is infinitely preferable to repairing, always more cost effective in the long run - unless you are going to stay off road, in which case most people consider that it doesn't matter. Discs and pads is an easy job, I'm sure one of the other guys will happily point you in the direction of the cheapest suppliers.
Regarding engines, I'm no expert and will certainly bow to the opinions of those who are, but from what I have learned over the last few months, the 300D is principally regarded as a bit slow (though if you want a Mercedes sportscar then buy a 500SL). The later 350 seems to be the worst-regarded diesel motor but as I say, I'm no expert.
I just bought a 300 diesel and it's plenty fast enough for what I want. I ran a Volvo 745TD Auto for a long time and if you want to know about slow then get a ride in one of those! But like those old Volvo/Volkswagen diesels, the 300D's are also pretty much bulletproof and give good MPG compared to the petrols, not to mention diesel is a lot easier to maintain (in my opinion).
Can you tell I'm a diesel fan? 8) Cheers for now.
Hi Ski
I recently bought a 300GD that hadn't moved for about a year and the diesel was thick and black, I had it serviced with new filters etc and before I knew what had happened the new filters were absolutely knackered! It was so bad that the fuel guage wouldn't work because it was full of gunk!
It transpired that the diesel had been infected with a fungus that grows in diesel. The tank had to be removed and steam cleaned along with the fuel lines and the fuel filter in the tank.
Another set of fuel filters and fungus treatment for the diesel later and It is a completely different vehicle now.
Have look at some of my previous postings and from other members too and you will find links to sites telling you about this fungus.
Just draining the tank won't get rid of it.
Colin
There is an Australian developed fuel additive called "Fuel Set" that sorts out this fungus which grows at the interface between the fuel and any water it contains. The fungus lives in the water and feeds on the hydrocarbons in the diesel, producing a slime that clogs filters, jets etc. As there is always a small amount of water in diesel it is particularly prone to this problem specially when left for long periods in the vehicle's tank or in poorly maintained bulk supplies. Aviation turbine fuel (Avtur) has fungicides added for this reason, I believe. Anyway, I will try to dig out further info on the company which distributes Fuel Set in UK and post the details here. Fuel Set is also brilliant at cleaning out fuel systems, pumps and injectors, plus it genuinely gives improved mpg.
I'd forgotten all about it until you mentioned the dreaded fungus; Claudisporium Resinae. I am sure that isn't how it's spelt, but it's close enough.
Q
Following some recommendations from a few US motorhomers, I have used this biocide on a few barn finds, good stuff.
As promised, here is link to the company that distributes Fuel Set amongst other interesting products from Australia (Clever people, these Aussies):
If you decide to order anything from them, stick "G-Wagen" after your name, it will get you a discount.
Q
CHEERS FOR YOUR HELP, HAD A LOOK AT LIQUID ENG, LOOKS PRETTY GOOD. WILL TRY AND GET SOME PICTURES TOGETHER.
dont forget the fuel filter thats bolted below the fuel accumulator on the chassis rail nearside rear. this always gets over looked.
dont forget the fuel filter thats bolted below the fuel accumulator on the chassis rail nearside rear. this always gets over looked.
PP
I don't think we have one of these in diesel G-Wagens but I stand to be corrected.... Anyway it does not harm anyone to double check.
Cheers
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CHEERS FOR SUCH A QUICK REPLY, IT FILLS IN A FEW BLANKS NICELY. I'VE ORDERED A SECOND HAND BONNET AND THE BRAKES FROM A GARAGE IN SCOTLAND(GIBSONS-AYRSHIRE)THAT COMPETES WITH A COUPLE OF GWAGENS. BUT I NEED QUITE A FEW PANELS REALLY, ONCE THATS DONE AND IT'S HAD A PAINT JOB I'M LAUGHING, I WAS A BIT SHOCKED AT HOW SLOW IT IS BUT IT HASN'T BEEN SERVICED OR MOVED FOR SO LONG, THE OIL IS JET BLACK AND THE FILTERS ARE PROBABLY THREE YEARS OLD. ALL THAT SAID THE ENGINE PURRS AS SWEET AS A NUT. I SUPPOSE I'M NOT THAT BOTHERED ABOUT SPEED. MY PLAN IS TO MAKE A BOLT IN BOLT OUT EXPEDITION KIT TO GO IN THE BACK AND DO SOME TRAVEL ONCE IT'S FINISHED. HAD A LOOK ON YOUR WBSITE, THAT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE, I HAVE ROT IN THE SAME PLACES BUT WORSE THAN YOURS. I NEED A NEW BACK DOOR ASWELL I THINK!