Any of that confusing stuff, like electrical wires, or fuel linkages, and I use my digital camera.

I take pictures first, and then I *look* at the pictures and make sure I can see the things that I'm going to be working on. Digital pictures are free if you have the camera, so take a bunch. With and without flash.

Over the years I've found that I'm much better at taking stuff apart than I am putting stuff back together. I bet I still got "extra" pieces of my first car someplace...

- Patrick

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1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

I have done both in the past, digital camera and labeling ends.

Nowadays I must be having good luck because everything usually goes back together on the first try with no problems

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I take alot of pictures when I am taking one apart to document locations.

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Jim

I don't have a camera, and I can't take pictures well anyway. It's ironic, because my sister is a professional entertainment photographer (and a damned good one, too). I've always used the narrow masking tape & magic marker method of labelling. I find it best to keep it simple, too. The first thing I disconnect will be labelled with a "1" on both ends, the second with a "2", and so on. This also helps with the order of putting things back together, because I can just start with the highest number and work my way back down to "1". I once helped my stepbrother with a head gasket replacement on his former late 80's Acura Integra with dual overhead cams and incredibly complicated-looking fuel injection. I don't think I would have been able to keep that mess straight with only pictures.

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1982 300D, black w/ palomino leather, 203K
2001 E320, champagne, 105K (Mom's)
1999 Dodge Dakota, squeaky & battered, 142K

Depending on the type and size of items being marked, I've had good luck with numbered clothes pins, too. Less tape-stuck-on-tape to remove/fight with, and reusable,too.

I have a brother labler I use to tag every line and wire along with the place it came off of.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche