Noob project guidance

[mumbles]

Ok, I think I found a better way to re-phrase some questions I have. I'm trying to plan/finalize (hah!) my Fall project list because I'm going to spend my vacation doing car work and want to be efficient, but thorough. I'll have all of the oil out, as well as the AT fluid, and will have the motor mounts off. I'm working my way through the car (in no particular order) and am trying to hit up any seals, gaskets, rubber, plastics, or any other wear parts. Here's what I'm looking at already:

-oil pan, gasket, filter, o-rings, oil filter cover gasket, (and probably the oil filter housing gasket)
-AT fluid/filter change, diff gear oil
-motor mounts, oil cooler lines, engine shocks
-valve adjustment, valve cover gasket, timing chain stretch, compression test, injector inspection, inj. heat shields, glow plug check/ream
-at least the vacuum pump to engine gasket, but I'm leaning towards rebuilding it while it's off.
-still debating whether I'll have time to tackle the cooling system.
-tighten up the steering box

So, is there anything I've missed that I should check out or replace while there's a) no oil in the car, b) motor mounts detached, or c) valve cover off?

I should get the injectors tested, but I'm assuming they're going to be shot anyways, so I'll just replace them some other time. Pretty sure timing chain is also due but at least I'll know how bad it actually is.

Thanks for reading... again.

~Brian

[Tirebiter]

Originally Posted by mumbles

Ok, I think I found a better way to re-phrase some questions I have. I'm trying to plan/finalize (hah!) my Fall project list because I'm going to spend my vacation doing car work and want to be efficient, but thorough. I'll have all of the oil out, as well as the AT fluid, and will have the motor mounts off. I'm working my way through the car (in no particular order) and am trying to hit up any seals, gaskets, rubber, plastics, or any other wear parts. Here's what I'm looking at already:

-oil pan, gasket, filter, o-rings, oil filter cover gasket, (and probably the oil filter housing gasket)
-AT fluid/filter change, diff gear oil
-motor mounts, oil cooler lines, engine shocks
-valve adjustment, valve cover gasket, timing chain stretch, compression test, injector inspection, inj. heat shields, glow plug check/ream
-at least the vacuum pump to engine gasket, but I'm leaning towards rebuilding it while it's off.
-still debating whether I'll have time to tackle the cooling system.
-tighten up the steering box

So, is there anything I've missed that I should check out or replace while there's a) no oil in the car, b) motor mounts detached, or c) valve cover off?

I should get the injectors tested, but I'm assuming they're going to be shot anyways, so I'll just replace them some other time. Pretty sure timing chain is also due but at least I'll know how bad it actually is.

Thanks for reading... again.

~Brian

Model and year of your car? Mileage?
Add: set valve clearance; check chain strech; take a compression reading; injectors can last a long time so now is the time to test/set them.

The experiance you are are getting is valuable to you.

[mumbles]

Doh! Sorry, 1981 300SD 278k.

Valve clearance is the same as an adjustment, right? If so, I already have that on the list, as well as compression test, and chain stretch. I'll also take a look at the flex discs.

I'm putting off the injectors because of cost right now. Some of these other items are higher priorities, plus I need 2-3 new tires. I also want to see if the MB shop next to my workplace will do injector testing/rebuild first, and then decide where my money goes. Plus it's a project I can attack by itself at home instead of on vacation in the folks garage.

Regardless of it's fate, this is the car I'm learning car repairs on. Hope to get this stable enough to start saving for another. Future projects include timing chain, suspension, axle boots, turbo, flex discs, cooling system, hopefully all of that within the next 6-12 months then I think I'll be pretty comfortable with the state of the car.

~Brian

[leathermang]

PEH would have a heart attack seeing that list of things 'not broken ' being fixed...
but I think it is a great plan.
Do you have a paper set of the MB Factory Shop manuals for your engine/chassis,etc ?

[toomany MBZ]

As mentioned, put your car in your avatar or signature.
Sounds like you have good grasp of things to check.
There will be enough things you'll need to tackle, so just take on what's necessary.

[mumbles]

A couple of items are definitely problems, but a lot of it is preventative work while I'm tackling those few main items. This car has definitely been neglected. Interior is garbage... you guys would laugh, regardless, the best $750 I've ever spent on a car... and then there was the initial repair investment that I'm afraid to calculate, but the experience has been invaluable.

No shop manuals, but I've been doing a lot of homework and reading up on the subjects.

How much I actually finish depends on how quickly I move through the projects. I'll probably start the small projects before my big car repair vacation so I don't have too much on my plate when it comes down to it.

I didn't mention my big oil leak problem, but I've got my sights on a few suspects which explains my somewhat ambitious list.

~Brian

[leathermang]

Brian, One thing you are not likely to see are the WARNINGS if you do not consult the FSM in some way... either paper ( the best ) or CD or something...

[Diesel911]

Bad news his 81 300SD is a 126. The Mercedes Classic center does not sell a CD Service Manual set for his year and model.

I think the best he can do would be at Mercedesmanuals-Price: $54.00,Sale Price: $47.00,You Save $7.00! (there is also a shipping charge.)
I think they are also giving you $5 to sign up for their Email.
Here is the manual:
http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Mercedes_Benz_W_126_Manual_p/w126.htm

This seems expensive at first but the manual easily saves you more money than the origional cost after you do a few repair jobs.

I bought my 300D (123) CD Manual set from Mercedes Manuals for a total cost of $53 only to find out on this forum I could have gotten it from the Mercedes classic center for $27. I do not know why Mercedes does not sell the 126 manual.

[mumbles]

leathermang... I know, and you've been the voice of reason for me in the past. I would love (prefer) a paper manual for my car, but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen, let alone before I need to tackle these jobs. I couldn't really find a straight answer on who sells good CD manuals, so I've put it off, until now!

I have no problem dropping some cash on good cds... doing so as we speak.

I also know I have the compulsion to over-repair, but if you'd think PEH would have a heart attack over my current list, well, he'd have a stroke if he knew what else is actually broken, nevermind the items I fear I don't even know about.

Diesel911: Thank you! I know I'm a bit crazy, but I couldn't find the manuals on the MB website for the life of me.

I've got a couple of weeks to order parts before I have to put in for my vaca. Plenty of time to read up on the projects. Thanks for the nudge in right direction guys. I'm a sucker for learning the hard way.

~Brian

[Yak]

Originally Posted by mumbles

-oil pan, gasket, filter, o-rings, oil filter cover gasket, (and probably the oil filter housing gasket)
-AT fluid/filter change, diff gear oil
-motor mounts, oil cooler lines, engine shocks

I'd put the oil filter housing gasket in the same repair as the oil cooler lines instead of with the rest of the oil system. You need to pull the cooler lines to replace the housing gasket. Having done both tasks separately this summer, I wish I'd done them together.

Don't forget the torque converter with the AT fluid change.

[DocSarvis]

I don't think you will need your vacation "unless it's short" to complete your work. If you have the parts and work steady you're in and out in 2 days max unless you find a big "bummer". Good luck and enjoy the work. Thanks

[toomany MBZ]

I understand the 126 cd-roms are sold out and not being reissued.
The same engine is in the 123's with a bit different vacuum plumbing.

[mumbles]

Yak: That's what I had in mind. I'll do my homework on the torque convertor. Thanks for the heads-up.

DocSarvis: When I get into it, I work hard, so hopefully 2 days is all I need. I've been trying to get a general idea of how long each project should take. If you say 2, and it takes me 4, I'd still have at least 7 days of vaca left. I need to use my vaca by the end of the year anyways, and I don't need my car to get to work, but if I do find a bummer, I'll have time to fix it. I'll be ordering parts probably next week.

toomany MBZ: Sold out from MB classic? They aren't sold out on mb manuals website.

Thanks guys! I'm really psyched to start this work. After this project, I'm tearing down and rebuilding my moped, and then rebuilding my brothers Honda cx650, and trying to fix his cx500. Lotsa vehicle projects this Winter.

~Brian

[toomany MBZ]

[QUOTE=mumbles;2332179

toomany MBZ: Sold out from MB classic? They aren't sold out on mb manuals website.
~Brian[/QUOTE]

Okay, the $20 ones are sold out.