New family member 190d
 

Well as of last thurs. I am the proud owner of a 1989 190d. picked her up for $2500. it had just snowed so it's a bit dirty already. I'm really stoked. Neat car and fun to drive. Some pics...
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/P9280039.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/P9280037.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/P9280043.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/P9280041.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/P9280042.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/P9280044.jpg

As with just about any used car it has some issues that i'm going to get working on straighting out. And so i have a few questions right off the bat.
first and the most stupid where the heck is the gas door release?
also it looks like this car might have spent some time in Billings, so i'm figuring it almost has to have a block heater, i looked and can't find anything, any specific places i should look?
driving it around the shocks and struts are out where is a good place to get some replacements?
the odometer is out (i know shocker) is there something i can check rather than just replacing it?
the tach. is out? any ideas?

i'm having some issues starting it. i've read a bit on some other threads, and i'm not quite sure so i'll ask... when i turn the key the glow plug light takes about 30sec to come one, is this correct? because from what i've read it seams like it's supposed to come on right away and then go off when the plugs are hot. is my light indicating a problem with the plugs?

anything else i should take a closer look at. i'm going to start by doing a full system flush, tranny, engine, radiator.

it's going to be a great project and i'm really excited, and can't wait to get started and going with it. thanks for any input!

start by changing all fluids and filters....
if it has a block heater u should se a cord somewhere near the front of the radiator or underneath the engine tucked away, some one alse will chime in on the tach and odo etc... as im not that familiar with ur car
- have fun!

I don't know on the tachometer, I'd check fuses.

The glow-plug light is indicating that either #1 gp is out, or that two or more of #2-5 gps are out.

The block heater plug should be behind the tow-ring access door in the lower-right side of the front bumper.

The fuel door should be unlocked when the car is unlocked, provided the central-locking is working properly. If it is not, pull the trunk lining away from behind the fuel filler and find the red knob, pull it towards the rear of the car and it should retract the lock pin from the fuel filler door.

Change the antifreeze asap. It should not be that green color.

Also go ahead and replace all glow plugs.

Far as the tach out. Does the Clock / temp / gas gauges work? do you have brake lights? If not then the #9 / 10 fuse is blown and needs to be replaced. If not then I have no idea.

I have a parts car that is an 85. If the shocks and struts fit your car I will pull em and sell them to you for cheap.

What Battery is in the car? (CCA / how old)?

regular green antifreeze is ok though right?
how are the plugs on your parts car?
the clock temp guage is out temp works, gas works, and brake lights work.
interested in the shocks pm me a price. also how would i find out if the '85 ones fit?
the batter looks like a pos walmart special. that will get changed out soon too.

As for the antifreeze. I dont think the Green is ok. I may be wrong. Far as the glow plugs go it would be better to buy them new from Phil. (form this site) as I have no idea on how old the glow plugs are on teh parts car. Now if you need the relay then I can do that. Name a price on the shocks and I will say yay or nah. I'm not sure how to tell if they will fit other then call up A Benz Dealer and ask.

When you replace the battery go with one that is @ least 900cca. more the better. I have a 1000cca battery in my 190 and it cranks my baby to life in -20F temps with no issues.

EDIT: Based on matching part #'s from this site the shocks should work.

DUDE.. I WANT!!! You have a nice car............ LOL......... Now you're driving to the slopes......LOL............

Correct MB coolent should be yellow in color. You can use Zerex G-05 available at your local parts store in a gold bottle. Or you can get raped at the dealer for the MB coolent in the white bottle.
Any green coolent is the incorrect coolent for MB's.

60x engines like synthetic oils to keep the lifters quiet, so id suggest putting in a synthetic oil.

Try the fuse box for the tachometer.

Ive had good luck with gabriel shocks and struts from autozone, but if you want to go oem bilsteins are the best. Sachs is the second best.
Monroe shocks suck donkey balls! dont get them.

If it doesnt have the updated vacuum pump id suggest changing that out with the updated one if you dont want a ball bearing to seize the engine!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/106614-how-replace-603-vacuum-pump.html?highlight=603+vacuum

There is no fuel door lock/release, the fuel door is held close by a pin that is vacuum powered. If it wont open then its a sign of either a vacuum leak or the vacuum pump not working.
Do your door locks work?

ok all is good with the fuel door.

big thanks for the heads up on the vacuum pump. i'll check that tomorrow.
anything similar i should check out?
also thinking about it what about recalls? any i should look into?

Right you gotta get me that Roof rack first!

You seriously want one?

That's a nice little car, how many mile are on it (just curious)

It'l clean up really nice.

Buy a set of MacNeill's Weathertech floor mats (front ones only)

http://www.weathertech.com/store/prodsearch.asp?item_group_id=3
If you can get an internet discount, then
for under $50, you'll have the best ones you can get, they trap incredible amounts of slush dirt and snow. A one time purchase you won't regret.

I bought them and NEVER regretted it.

Can't think of anything else, except to congratulate you, you are on the right track with what you are going to do so far. Obviously a worthy custodian of this car.

89 190d 2.5 ,nice car.Ive owned my 88 for 6 months and love driven the bugger,nimble and quick for a diesel.Those pumps were an issue ,my 84 2.2 had the pump not functioning when purchased and found a couple of nice big missing pieces of the assembly gone when changing it.:eek: .The ackielies heel was the forged part had a weak corner on its design and would fail after so many miles on the unit ,I still have the desintigrated piece ,Im alittle scared of holding it though since the spring is still loaded with pressure.The newer designed vac pump I found on a junked 89 190d car so you might be alright.It has a smaller bearing piece and the whole assembly looks heavier duty.The hydraulic lifters might need a changing after 250k or so and you might go ahead and do a timing chain as well ,If you dont want those as an expense just keep on driven it ,they were made for it.

Oh yeah ,if yours has alot of front motor noise like mine did ,its probably the belt tensioner shock ,not to bad to replace .The radiator shrowd ,2 bolts loosened for the holding arm,undo the shock from the top and bottom and hold for the release of the tension at the tension helper with a large screwdriver.They run about $40. and add a big noise to the engine bay when they go out.MAP OUT YOUR BELT BEFORE DISSASSEMBLY,THOSE 190 D BELTS ARE CRAZY.

yeah if the price is right!

well right now i have a set of plugs on order as well as a couple filters.
hopefully get them in today or tommoro, so i can get the thing to start up.

actually funny you mention the floor mats i was just thinking i need to get some, lol.

right now the odo is showing 138k but since the odo is broken i'm not sure what the exactly milleage is. i don't think it's too far off maybe 10k? just looking at the overall condition of the car.

anyone know of a good place to get the e-code headlights for this car? my dot ones have a small crack and well i guess thats as good of an excuse as any to go ahead and get the e-codes. I have them in my toyota and absolutly love them. thanks for the imput.