I went back this past Saturday and spent the better part of two hours going over the car. 40 minutes of that was spent under the car rapping on all the metal with the handle of my craftsman ratchet. Everything sounded solid. I noticed some surface rust on the Rear Trailing Arms... but that's about it... the underside of the car is surprisingly clean.

Other stuff I noted:

Rear driveshafts - look original. Some dry-rotting of the boots. No leaking splits, though.

Rear differential - didn't check oil level, but it has some odd surface rust.

Flex disc - no splits or cracks.

Jacking points - I lifted it with the mercedes jack at all four points. I couldn't detect any deflection/bending along the rockers.

Rockers - closer inspection revealed that some numb-nut put it on a lift just to the interior of the jack points (instead of using the frame rails or subframe). Those areas behind the rockers are pushed in about a half inch.

LBJ's - look new-ish. Boot is still intact, soft and pliable.

UBJ's - brand new. Looks to have been replaced within the last 6 months or so.

Sway Bar bushings front - brand new.

Tie rods - boots blown, but no play.

I pulled back the carpets front and rear. No moisture/water. Knocking on floorboards from top they sound equally solid. The thick almost roofing tile-like material that is under the mats is dry, cracking and coming undone.

Some difficulty starting from cold and smoky. Glow plug light flashes. I'm betting a weak/dead glow plug (or plugs) or glow plug relay.

Injector return lines were leaking like a White House staffer. Easy fix.

There was an odd box in the fuel line up from the in-line filter. It had a single wire that was tapped to a fuse in the fuse box (#6 the cigar lighter / rear window defog... this particular fuse was blown). What the heck is this box?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110144767@N03/sets/72157687247905344



I did get a chance to look at some records regarding the ac system:

6/22/15 - converted to r134. System flushed and a new compressor (four seasons 58228), drier and evaporator were installed.

8/21/15 - Mercedes dealership replaced the climate control servo assembly and the amplifier. Auxiliary water pump was tested and working. They found that the compressor clutch would not engage (voltage and ground at compressor connector were ok... they suspected a compressor or clutch defect). They concluded that the system was operating as properly as it could in the absence of the working compressor.

I noted there is no belt on the compressor, currently.

(I also noted that the aux fan fuse, #3, was excessively corroded.)

Not sure what to make of that. Could be as easy as a bad connection in the ac clutch OR a whole new compressor.



I'm also concerned about the paint peeling off of the air cleaner and the brake booster (together with the cracking paint on the hood). Does that add up to an engine that overheated at some point? A friend of mine thinks so...



I did find some additional rusty bits... specifically the underside of the passenger front door and at the wiring access on the B pillar, passenger side. I was pleased to find that this was originally a North Carolina car that spent 4-6 years in Rochester, NY. Owner alleges it was garaged and not driven in winter, FWIW. It has less rust than an '84 300D I used to own. (I finally sold that car as the hinge pockets were rusted through... and that's one repair I felt was beyond my ability).


Any further opinions?