PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Upgrade 83 Mer 500 SEC from 88 Volvo GLE?

Jim B. · #**114** 08-25-2007, 01:08 AM

Well ---

Great you are back safe. Good that it started right up, and better yet, the gas filler flap issue is figured out. Little by little you will get up to speed on that.

You are so lucky, to have mechanics like this guy. From what you have said, he is obviously not trying to get you to have work done that doesn't need to be done.

What does he charge per hour? The Mercedes dealers around SF are up to about $150 per hour now. I bet even the plumbers notice that, when they go in with their cars. Probably he is a lot less.....

You are lucky you made it there with a sticking thermostat and didn't over heat. Usually there is no warning for things like that. It only happened to me once....by Vacaville in a Skylark I had, there was NO warning at all. Major PITA.

All he said it needed was motor mounts? Sounds like the car was REALLY looked after, to me. The question is only why did it just sit for two years.

Motor mounts DO collapse on these. I don't know why but they do. Depends on each different 560SEC, but they do. I bought my car with 50,000 miles on it, and as a Certified Pre-Owned one where they totally go through the car and fix everything. One thing they found was "Motor Mounts Collapsed" - fixed at 49,865 miles.

Then at about 100,000 miles I had to do them again. They are OK now.

There is a Long debate about oil change frequency.

For this car - and as it has been for me the last two years - the question is are the oil changes better off to be TIME BASED or MILEAGE BASED?

This is like one of the ebay auction cars for sale - a 1987 Mercedes with just 10,000 miles, stored most of its life. If the oil is supposed to be changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months what do you do?

I would change the oil myself at least once a year regardless. I think the last time I changed the oil on the Mercedes the car had just been run 800 miles since the last time, which was, I think 9 months prior.

So I see your point, only 200 miles in two years, the oil would be new in terms of mileage but old in terms of time

Enrique is right, maybe you don't need to change it. But if it were me, and just got the car, like you I would ask him to change it anyway. Shouldn't be more than $75 or so. Easy job. Peace of mind for you also.....

Actually the guy who is kind of my friend is not ALON. (He just got a job at a Mercedes dealer, as a service writer, I think at the dealer in Encino, (Auto Stiegler?) The guy I know is Ernesto, the assistant DA in LA county, user name BENZ-LGB. He is a Cuban American fellow. I am hoping to meet him if I get down there. Said he would take time off and we can go have lunch in the Cuban place right near Enriques.

Sounds like you can feel confident in Enrique's work. If I was in your shoes, I would probably ask him to check the following for condition, and to service or replace as necessary:

Plugs and plug wires. (Beru wires if it needed them)

Check brake pads (although there is a dash warning light that is an orange circle if they are too worn and would light up when it is time - see owners manual) Probably you are ok here

Check condition of hoses (ncluding bypass hose Replace if necessary)

Check drive belts (replace if necessary)

Grease and lube sunroof track rails (suppose to get done every 30k, no one does it & is in the owners manual/service guide) If the sunroof jams it is horrendous and expensive to fix. When you use sunroof, don't use pop up feature unless you have to, they are factory weak and can go, but the sliders are good. Not expensive - maybe $30 but MUST use special Mercedes Benz grease, only sold in $50 tubs, so usually only shops buy them.

Ask him to check transmission fluid,should it be changed: Factory recommends every 15,000 miles for city driving, otherwise 30,000 miles.
Is it pink and not brown/burnt? For this I would go with whatever he says.....

Check flex discs. Car has 196,000 miles. You never know. It might be time.

Ask him what he thinks about the timing chain. Tell him you were told it was done at 150,000 but have no receipt yet. And no rattle at start up.
Should it be done at 196,000 if no proof. Me I would say yes.

But NO, of course, if done at 150,000 with guide rails and tensioner. Would be a waste of money. A perfect example of why you need Repair Records.

Ask him what he thinks in light of that. Maybe he could pull off the left valve cover and look. Checking the guide rails and chain would be easy if he just looked in there if you are worried. I would go with what he thought.

Check the shocks. IF they are ok, leave them alone. If you need them, get Bilstein comforts. TGhey are the best for cars needing comfort AND handling.
Everyone here agrees about this

Maybe, check out the air cleaner. They are kind of expensive, about $50 at Autozone, either have him do it or you can do it yourself if it is dirty.

Ask him about the fuel filter. Nedds one?

Have him check the coolant. That is supposed to get checked each 30,000 miles and changed by then. It might need it. ONLY with Mercedes coolant.
(Chemicals compatible with radiator.) Check condition of radiator? Fan clutch?

If you see wrong color coolant in there, flush it immediately, and replace with correct Mercedes fluid.

Well, that is all I can think of. But it might keep him busy another day if he does find work.

I hope that helped. What will you do now this weekend? Must be disappointed to be without your new car. Unless he will finish on Sat. and you can get it.

Isn't there some Mega Auto wrecking yard called Sun Valley Imports or something up by you in the Valley? Rings a vague bell.

I am thinking you need a coupole of license plate brackets and might be able to get a couple quick and cheap there. There are body shops all over the place and they could mount them to the car for you maybe.

If you want you could ask here for tips. I would be happy to do it for you.

(Lots of diesel discussion people are actual Mercedes mechanics and shops owners, best place to ask)