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-   -   DIY, bliss or clinical addiction? A bit OT. (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/145582-diy-bliss-clinical-addiction-bit-ot.html)

fantom71 02-14-2006 12:40 PM

DIY, bliss or clinical addiction? A bit OT.
 
To start off with, my 85 300D is the first car that I have ever did the maintainence on (other than oil and air filter changes). I have come to the conclusion that a lot of this is getting to be an addiction ;) . I have over the last month changed: radiator (leaking, patched with epoxy while waiting on new then installed new when it arrived), flushed/filled cooling system (the water part was distilled water, MB collant @$22 a gal :eek: ), while I was flushing I decided to change the thermostat and upper and lower radiator lines "since I was there anyway", two oil changes, rear diff fluid change (second change will be this weekend, since I changed to synthetic and the previous fluid was VERY NASTY), manual trans fluid change, power steering filter/fluid change, changed 1/2 brake fluid (drained the resivuor, will do again two more times), rotated tires (got a scare when I set the front back down and the front was around 6 inches higher than when I started, but it did "settle" back down after driving around the block), adjusted parking brake tension, checked brake pad thickness, replaced glow plugs, primary and secondary fuel filters, replace all fuses... I think you get the idea.

Granted a lot of this was necessary since I received no records from the PO :mad: and since the odo was replaced with a new one at 800km before I got the car, I do not know how many miles are on the car (a good thing too considering the state of the rear diff fluid).

I am coming to the conclusion that this is an addiction while I am sitting here creating an Excel spread sheet detailing items done, when they are ready again with auto calculating milage/dates and making a to do list. I have spent more time today working on this "car plan" than I have spent running my own business today :P . My local MB parts dude, O'Rillies parts dude and Wal-Mart cashieer all know me by name/car (it is a Euro and the MB parts dude groans to himself when he see me come in :P )

The big problem is that I cannot stop myself. I swear that after I replaced the radiator that the car drove better (yes, I know that is NOT the case, but it just seems to drive better *shrug*). It, I know, is a sence of a job well done and an accomplishment that I have never done (or considered) before (not to mention saving a load of $$$). I "justify" it by a lot of this was cheap/free since I did everything myself and is a "peace of mind" type thing. But how far is too far? I noticed while washing it yesterday that the rubber seal around the rear window does not look good (but not leaking) and I found myself doing a search on replacing this item. I can see this getting way out of hand (if it has not already) real fast.

I am sorry for the length, I just needed to share/vent since my darling wife was suggesting last night (valentine's day eve) that I love that car more than her :o . Today I remind her who is #1. Thank goodness that we are taking the van out tonight ;).

thorsen 02-14-2006 01:10 PM

Brake Fluid
 
IMO you are not accomplishing much by draining the master cylinder. The fluid does not recirculate, so the fluid in the wheel cylinders is still old (and this is the fluid that counts).

What you are doing is better than nothing, but to do it right you need to bleed the old fluid out of the calipers until the new fluid is coming out.

No comments on addiction.
http://www.pokrefke.com/benz/benzmileage.htm
http://www.pokrefke.com/benz/benzmaint.htm

fantom71 02-14-2006 01:49 PM

Re: Break Fluid
 
I figured something like this, but until I decide on the best "one person" bleeding system for me, I will not be able to do this job correctly. The problem is there are sooooo may options and opinions out there I am just confused on which way to go.

Mismost 02-14-2006 01:50 PM

Fantom71...weird huh? But they do seem to respond to touch...the more you rub, scrub, drain, bleed, change out, inspect, and sometimes even fix, the better they run and drive! I thought it was just me.

These cars were built to be driven and I don't think they take well to sittin' on the porch. The more I drive mine the better it runs (it sat up for about a year). I know part of the "it feels better" is just me getting used to the car....but i also know part of it is the car is actually running better, smoother, and faster as judged by my seat of the pants method of floor-boarding it up the same steep hill.

In fiddling around with mine, it is in much better overall condition than I thought it was when I bought it....and getting better too! The worst part of this addiction....this forum...my car would be brand-new by now if I didn't lurk on this board so much! There is just too much to learn here!

whunter 02-14-2006 04:59 PM

Is this enough brake data?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fantom71
I figured something like this, but until I decide on the best "one person" bleeding system for me, I will not be able to do this job correctly. The problem is there are sooooo may options and opinions out there I am just confused on which way to go.

Industry Adopts Brake Fluid Replacement Guidelines By Bill Williams, Technical Contributor
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf50412.htm

Brake flush every two years?! U'r kidding right?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/96852-brake-flush-every-two-years-ur-kidding-right.html

Why should I flush my brake fluid every year, you ask?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/38856-why-should-i-flush-my-brake-fluid-every-year-you-ask.html#post220599

Brake bleeder recommendation
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/72839-brake-bleeder-recommendation.html#post455818

Power Bleeder or what?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/103226-power-bleeder-what.html#post707359

Brake bleeder - power bleeder Homemade
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/117258-brake-bleeder-power-bleeder-homemade.html


Brake squeal fixes for new rotors, calipers, pads?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/142244-brake-squeal-fixes-new-rotors-calipers-pads.html

Can't remove rear brake rotor.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/105072-cant-remove-rear-brake-rotor.html

testing ABS sensors
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/138164-testing-abs-sensors.html

Is it bad to just replace one brake rotor...
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/138773-bad-just-replace-one-brake-rotor.html#post1029208

brake pads/caliper--need help!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/138115-brake-pads-caliper-need-help.html#post1022773

New disks old pads
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/123709-new-disks-old-pads.html#post888590

brake problems- I really, really, dislike brake work!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/33381-brake-problems-i-really-really-dislike-brake-work.html#post184248

Frau Frankenbenz not stopping on a dime
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/141573-frau-frankenbenz-not-stopping-dime-post1059782.html#post1059782

Eaten alive! My brakes that is...
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=666235#post666235

How long do your brake pads last?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/39948-how-long-do-your-brake-pads-last.html#post227992

Removing brake disk 300D. Real -vs-Manuel
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/90138-removing-brake-disk-300d-real-vs-manuel.html#post593769

Weak brakes, but good pedal feel.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/135096-weak-brakes-but-good-pedal-feel.html#post993172

Brake bleed disaster
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/64278-brake-bleed-disaster.html#post396205

Disappearing Brake Fluid
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/139187-disappearing-brake-fluid.html#post1033187

Brake Fluid Blowout
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/110639-brake-fluid-blowout.html#post772785

Defective new master cylinder? (long)
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/112993-defective-new-master-cylinder-long.html#post798232

HOW do you attach the Resevoir to the Master Cylinder??
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/142292-how-do-you-attach-resevoir-master-cylinder.html#post1066676

W126 master cylinder and reservoir
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/116363-w126-master-cylinder-reservoir.html#post826695

W123 Dragging brake question
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/136186-w123-dragging-brake-question.html#post1003736

Need brake advice / calipers not releasing
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/97241-need-brake-advice-calipers-not-releasing.html#post656713

What trips the ABS light on a W126?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/109522-what-trips-abs-light-w126.html#post761019

I have tried everything... vac booster
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/135611-i-have-tried-everything-vac-booster.html#post997851

t walgamuth 02-14-2006 07:12 PM

roy,
 
roy, roy!

you wild man!

tom w

83-240D 02-14-2006 08:05 PM

addiction
 
much nicer in the warm months. wish i had that heated 3 car garage with living space and external lift so i could work and nap in the same place.

excel ss, yes i have three. one for each car.


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