Well, I have procrastinated for a long time and I finally did it. I collected all of the parts I needed and yesterday the project started on my 1986 300sdl with 125,800 miles.
I removed all of my under car panels, removed my leaking radiator, my 26 year old radiator hoses ( they still looked good ) my 26 year old thermostat ( still looked and operated well) my drive belt, my 26 year old Vacuum pump ( which still looked fantastic inside, except for the old style ball bearings), my broken A/C compressor, and my drier. I replaced all said parts, put in some fresh MB coolant, started it and everything works. Except the A/C. I still have to change my expansion valve, blow out all of the black crud from the lines, pull a vacuum and charger it up.
All in all. and I took my time, 6 hours of labor and a lot of satisfaction. These cars were designed very well, and are not that hard to work on.

Later this week I hope to get the A/C buttoned up. Luckily I do not need to drive it this week, because I do not want to put any of the panels on until all is well.

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John
1986 300sdl
1985 380se

Good deal. Enjoy the car now.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

good for you man!! way to "renovate"!!!

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-SpecialDelivery
1985 300CD Silver/Blue H&R Suspension (Sold, still cryin over that)
1982 300SD Silver/Blue '85 OM617 (Sold)
1982 300D - Blue/Blue (Sold)

It's like a 500 pound weight has been lifted off of me. I have worried and worried about that vacuum pump and the possibility of the ball bearings messing up the engine, once I had it in my hands, I can see the potential danger. But it looked so good and so clean, like no wear anywhere on the old pump. I guess religious oil changes, just like religious coolant flushes using MB coolant, can really help in the longevity of a vehicle.
The inside of my thermostat cover had no rust, the thermostat at age 26 looked so good, I saved it as an emergency thermostat. The hoses. although they looked and felt OK, on further examination had tiny little cracks in them.

Now the question. What do I do with the old radiator? It would leak at the top seam, where it is crimped, only on cold days? Does anyone rebuild them. It's plastic and aluminum. 26 year old plastic and aluminum at that.

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John
1986 300sdl
1985 380se

Good job well done.

But I think replacing the VP is not warranted IMHO. There are so many things that can go wrong. How about the timing chain, head gasket, #14 head and others? One can do all the PM in the world but the car would still fail. I accept my cars are old and I just drive them happily until something breaks.

Happy motoring.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.