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Old 01-02-2011, 11:34 AM
brandlj brandlj is offline
1986 300sdl 1985 380se
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: West Monroe LA
Posts: 484
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe View Post
I loved working on my '83 300SD - usually by myself in my double garage here at home. I will never forget bleeding my brakes by myself with my own brake bleeder! Sometimes, (I've said it before here.....) I cannot believe some of the projects I've completed myself on that car, over 305K miles and 8 years, having never done them before! You had a very good day! I will see you in church tomorrow!
It is a pleasure working on a car that can still be repaired by the average DIY person. It is amazing how over-built these cars are. I also wrench on my wife's 2003 Honda Odyssey, my daughter's 2000 Camry and my 67 Beetle.
I look at my 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 and it is so computerized that it is positively scary. With newer cars, if a component fails, unplug it and put a new one in. Hardly and diagnostic work can be performed at home. It must be hooked up to the Manufacturer's specific computer, running the latest version of software.
It was 27 degrees this AM and the Benz ran and STOPPED flawlessly.

Next project before it warms up this spring is new A/C compressor, expansion valve and drier. I think this may be a little more challenging. I have found a repair shop locally that has a brand new A/C evacuation vacuum pump and charging machine. They told me that if I do all of the bullwork, they will charge me $90 to vacuum and charge. That sounds pretty good to me.
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John
1986 300sdl
1985 380se
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