Thoughts about driving a parts car cross country - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

eatont9999 · #31 04-11-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

why not commission a fix to the sway bar if the numbers work otherwise?

That could be a possibility but I will know more once I have someone look at the car who can tell me what if anything else it may need. You can't always count on the seller giving you the truth or not leaving out important details.

I mean, for all I know, it could just be surface rust and still solid.

eatont9999 · #32 04-11-2013, 06:53 PM

Does anyone know what the slide valve thing is the seller is talking about? Is that something I need to worry about?

lorainfurniture · #33 04-11-2013, 07:10 PM

There is no slide valve. High idle means either the idle switch is stuck, or that someone manually raised the idle because it has a stalling problem.

eatont9999 · #34 04-11-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

There is no slide valve. High idle means either the idle switch is stuck, or that someone manually raised the idle because it has a stalling problem.

Is that something I should care about given what I want the car for? If it runs and drives otherwise, I don't see how it would matter to me.

Is that switch think like a mass airflow sensor? Can it be cleaned or fudged good enough to drive back to TX?

gatorblue92 · #35 04-11-2013, 07:54 PM

I don't know if you are still thinking about the shipping option but it cost $1000 (work paid for it) to ship my 240D from Mississippi to Delaware last summer when I moved.

In your situation with the sway bar issue I would either ship it or store it at your family's place in MA until you can make repairs and drive it. Even after the repair it may be problematic to drive a 30 year old Mercedes with all kinds of potential issues across country. Breaking down in Tennessee wouldn't be fun.

lorainfurniture · #36 04-11-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatont9999

Is that something I should care about given what I want the car for? If it runs and drives otherwise, I don't see how it would matter to me.

Is that switch think like a mass airflow sensor? Can it be cleaned or fudged good enough to drive back to TX?

It may be as simple as adjusting the switch so it catches. Either way, it would be no big deal since you will be doing mostly highway driving.

Fwiw, I've been driving my 300e with a broken sway bar mount for at least a year now. I noticed it "rolled" a bit more in the corners, but I think people are making out to be bigger than it really is. Take it with a grain of salt as my car is a w124, and yours is obviously a w126

lorainfurniture · #37 04-11-2013, 08:06 PM

I would check for blown head gasket, tranny slippage, overheating, and any crazy shaking or vibration. Massive oil leaks, and consumption is common as well.

The m103 is very tough to get to run well, but even more difficult to get it to actually not run at all.

Mölyapina · #38 04-11-2013, 08:23 PM

E-mailed with the seller:

Quote:

The car is off the road,engine idles high (needs the idle air valve),but it runns fine, transmission is fine.
Saturday and Sunday i am available to show the car.
Bill 978-[BLEEP]

From: Jooseppi Luna <69cf5d6a109637b3a0062c43bb36c679@reply.craigslist.org>
To: dh9km-3723056176@sale.craigslist.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 1:40 PM
Subject: 1991 Mercedes 300 SE - $650

Hello,

I'm intrigued by this car. Can you tell me if it's still on the road, what the tires are like, and what the engine and transmission are like? Also, is seeing the car sometime Friday an option?

Calling is the best way to reach me: (603) [BLEEP]

Thank you!

-Jooseppi

1991 Mercedes 300 SE

So, I won't be able to take pictures for you. Sounds like the guy that your sister know is a better bet, though.

eatont9999 · #39 04-11-2013, 08:51 PM

Oh my God! I'm literally rolling on the floor laughing here! I just spoke to the owner and the car is one street over from my property! Talk about getting a sign from God!

eatont9999 · #40 04-11-2013, 08:55 PM

Map this:

My place is on Rutherford Ave Haverhill, MA
The car is on Brockton Ave, Haverhill, MA

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=rutherford+ave+to+brockton+ave+haverhill,+ma&saddr=rutherford+ave&daddr=brockton+ave+haverhill,+ma&hl=en&ll=42.790456,-71.076007&spn=0.010251,0.026157&sll=42.790197,-71.080379&sspn=0.002563,0.006539&geocode=Fe7zjAId_2_D-yn_W6OUFQLjiTF7KHCzJgG7pg%3BFQLtjAIdt2zD-yl5_I8PPgLjiTEgbLn1nYqqRg&t=m&z=16

eatont9999 · #41 04-11-2013, 09:19 PM

I left the seller a message and if he agrees, my guy can be there tomorrow to look at the car. I explained the situation to my guy so he knows what to look for.

whunter · #42 04-11-2013, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatont9999

All,

I'm looking for mainly a W126 dash in crack-free condition, with the glovebox option, for my 83 300SD. It's like pulling hen's teeth here in the south because the sun destroys most dashes and plastics that have been here for more than a few years. I have family and real estate in MA, so I am expanding my search for parts to that region.

Here I have found a 300SE with rust issues. The grey interior color matches my 300SD. I don't care much about the rest of the car aside from the interior and that it make a trip from MA to TX. If it could do that, I would be plenty happy. I imagine I would strip what I want and sell the rest as a parts car down here. Engine, tranny, etc should fetch some cash even as scrap and offset the purchase price and fuel cost. I could completely replace the interior of my 83 with that of a 91.

The main concern I have is if the car is safe enough to drive with the sway bar mount being rusted out. I'm not planning to transport the president and his family but who here would drive something like this; in its condition 2500 miles?

1991 Mercedes 300 SE

Please be aware this is a SHORT term simple Band-Aid for ONE trip.

* 14 or 16 gauge steel sheet from the Home Depot fastener aisle.
* A small sledge hammer to beat it into shape (with lots of overlap).
* Steel rivets.
* A rivet gun.
* An electric drill + bits.
* Drill holes no further apart than 3/4 inch on center, around the perimeter.

As a final touch, hose it with a spray can of rubber undercoat.

Total repair time should be under two hours.

.

The Grinch · #43 04-14-2013, 03:50 PM

I have alittle experance in that drive. I bought a 1984 c10 site unseen in Kileen TX and drove it home to Andover MA (just south of haverhill). It was a fun trip. I looked at colleges and camped allong the way. Truck made it just fine although it was a little unearving at first just jumping in a truck I bought and driving. But if your confident in your ablitity to repair on the road as needed it can be fun. As others have said look at it as an adventure.

I did this back in 2006. At that time shipping was over $1,000.00. But the 400SBC drank its fair share of fuel $$. As long as there is no major mechanical issue I would drive it. Being a MA car I would bet the body is SHOT. The sway bar may be real bad or just getting close. Either way If you can weld I am sure you could make it work to get you back to TX. Would be funny seeing a rusty MA car forsale down there as I bet alot of buyers would not be firmilar with the roadsalt rust we have. I know own two vehicals from TX and one from CA...... Love how rust free they are. .

I would rather be replacing interiors then doing frame and body work. Thats why I don't buy vehicals from the north east unless they are from another state.

whunter · #44 04-14-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Please be aware this is a SHORT term simple Band-Aid for ONE trip.

* 14 or 16 gauge steel sheet from the Home Depot fastener aisle.
* A small sledge hammer to beat it into shape (with lots of overlap).
* Steel rivets.
* A rivet gun.
* An electric drill + bits.
* Drill holes no further apart than 3/4 inch on center, around the perimeter.

As a final touch, hose it with a spray can of rubber undercoat.

Total repair time should be under two hours.

.

If the bracket and bushing are intact, steel rivets will be faster.

POP Rivets | Blind Rivets | Rivets | Rivet Nuts | Riveting Tools | Rivet Setting Tool

Blind Rivet Design Guide : Rivet Gun : POP Rivets : Hanson Rivet & Supply Co. Inc.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tools-tricks-supplies/275658-pop-rivets.html

.

eatont9999 · #45 04-17-2013, 06:57 PM

Update:

The car was sold before I could get the money to my mom to pay the seller. I even found out that my girlfriend's sister works for a logistics company and she could have had the car shipped for less than $400.

I'm just a little bit more than disappointed. I really wanted that interior.