antenna, wipers, and fumes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jivadent · #1 06-19-2005, 06:46 PM

So I was gonna do two simple jobs today, and failed miserably. The first was the replace the wiper blades. I bought this:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1JP13WPGQ1JP13X05O&year=1991&make=MB&model=350-SD-001&category=P&part=Wiper+Blade+Insert

a set of wiper blades. However, it turns out all they are is the rubber part, and I'm not sure how to put them on. The ones that are on my wipers now, have a metal part which holds them in shape, and then a rubber part which wipes. How do I use just the rubber ones?

The other problem is my antenna. I accidentally went through an automatic carwash with my antenna up, and the rubber seal

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1JP13WPGQ1JP13X05O&year=1991&make=MB&model=350-SD-001&category=Z&part=Antenna+Seal

took a hell of a beating. So I got another one, and I tried to put it in. I got the antenna mast out, but now I can't put it back in. The manual says to switch the radio off, and push the cable back in with the splines facing the driving direction (which I assume means forward). It seems to go down the antenna shaft, but doesn't want to go in any further (i.e., into the unit where it's stored). Any suggestions on doing this?

My final question is about some gas fumes I recently started to smell inside the cabin, and towards the back of my car. I can't really smell them by the engine. Where should I start looking?

Gabriel

Ganaraska · #2 06-19-2005, 08:24 PM

Look at the wiper blades on the car and you should see a thin strip of metal on the rubber part. At one end there will be a locking device. Squeeze the locking device gently with pliers and slide out the rubber. Then slide the new one on in the reverse direction. Make sure the lock clicks into place so your new blade can't work loose.

On the fuel smell try looking around in the trunk and fuel filler area for a cracked hose or loose hose.

t walgamuth · #3 06-19-2005, 10:30 PM

on the antenna, with the radio on and the antenna button on high. turn off the key and as the motor pulls feed the plastic tail into the antenna hole. if it doesnt go in all the way pull i t out and start again. if that doesnt work have you made sure there are not dents in the tubes? and have you cleaned and lubed the tubes?

on th efumes you dont say what the smell is if it is raw fuel smell also look fo r leaky injectors and return lines. if it smells like exhaust look for leaks in the exhaust system. these will also be accompanied by audio clues if you listen carefully.

jivadent · #4 06-21-2005, 07:10 PM

I found the leak that causes the fumes. On the engine, it looks like fuel is spitting out of one of the rubber seals that goes into a cylinder. I don't really know the proper jargon, but there are metal lines (which I believe are fuel lines) that go into each cylinder. Well, they go into something, and that something has a rubber something else below it. Anyway, on the third cylinder, that rubber thing has a hole in it, and diesel comes out of it. I tried looking through the manual to find a picture of these 'things', so I could learn their names, but no luck.

As for the antenna, I tried getting the motor to catch it as I turned the radio off, but no luck. I haven't lubed or cleaned anything, because I don't know how to. I don't think there are dents, because it worked just fine 2 days ago, right before I pulled the antenna out. Now, what I did do was twist that metal shaft that comes out of the plastic motor casing a few times. Does that make a difference?

leathermang · #5 06-21-2005, 07:27 PM

Find a store that has the Bosch replacements... a two minute job putting them on... just measure the length of the rubber before you go in.....I think my 240 used 21 inch...

jaoneill · #6 06-21-2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jivadent

Well, they go into something, and that something has a rubber something else below it. Anyway, on the third cylinder, that rubber thing has a hole in it, and diesel comes out of it. I tried looking through the manual to find a picture of these 'things', so I could learn their names, but no luck.

As for the antenna, I tried getting the motor to catch it as I turned the radio off, but no luck. I haven't lubed or cleaned anything, because I don't know how to. I don't think there are dents, because it worked just fine 2 days ago, right before I pulled the antenna out. Now, what I did do was twist that metal shaft that comes out of the plastic motor casing a few times. Does that make a difference?

Gabe,

Those rubber thinghys are fuel return lines that go from injector to injector. An easy 10 minute fix, however, it may also be prudent to replace the assorted rubber fuel supply lines while you are at it. Check out fastlane, parts are not expensive.

I appears as though you may have broken the threaded plastic cable that pushes and pulls the antenna up & down. Replacement is relatively simple but is easiest if you remove the whole assembly from the car.

Good luck,
Jim

jivadent · #7 06-21-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaoneill

Those rubber thinghys are fuel return lines that go from injector to injector. An easy 10 minute fix, however, it may also be prudent to replace the assorted rubber fuel supply lines while you are at it. Check out fastlane, parts are not expensive.

A friend of mine (that doesn't know anything about diesels) looked at it and said it was the intake manifold gasket. However, I looked the part up and it looks metal, not rubber. Anyway, it's right on the base of the injector (according to him). Fuel spits out through a hole in it. It doesn't look like that easy of a job, because it's kinda hard to get to, so it seems like a lot of work to take things off to get to it.

Quote:

I appears as though you may have broken the threaded plastic cable that pushes and pulls the antenna up & down. Replacement is relatively simple but is easiest if you remove the whole assembly from the car.

How can I tell if it's broken? Do I open the plastic motor casing up and just look inside? If it is broken, do I buy another antenna stem?

jivadent · #8 06-26-2005, 02:32 PM

I got the fuel leak fixed. My mechanic said it was the injector seals, and he also replaced all the hoses.

As far as the antenna, I took it apart today. The cable wasn't broken, but later on, after I got the cable back in and working, I realized that what was broken is the rubber piece that's right underneath the top antenna knob when the radio is off. It's part of the mast, and it's torn in two, so that when the antenna comes on, there's nothing to hold that piece inside the trunk, so it pops right out. I tried to look for either another antenna mast, or the whole antenna, but I couldn't find it in the catalog. Do you guys have any ideas?