I purchased a TD with 627,000 miles on the original engine! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #31 11-10-2019, 05:13 PM

My friend Blue is helping me refresh the interior of the car, and I cleaned the engine bay the other day. Blue's standard for interior cleaning involves practically removing the entire interior! All the carpet, seats, and rear cargo area pieces got some major attention. The cargo area side carpets were cleaned in situ, but every other piece of carpet was removed for cleaning. All the floors were vacuumed after removing the seats. I found several coins (almost enough for the engine bay coin-op cleaning!) and even a quarter from 1966. Since the driver seat was bad in every way, I gathered together several seats and covers to make up a good seat. It is made up from the parts of four different seats. The only parts used from the original seat were the tracks, and the seatback frame. I used a spring box from a passenger seat, the seat upholstery from a different one, and the seat back upholstery from yet another seat. Blue is coming back next week to help finish it up.
I cleaned the engine bay with my favorite degreaser, and as always, it looks great!

ROLLGUY · #32 11-10-2019, 05:21 PM

It is amazing how cleaning the carpets improves the look of these old cars. We clean them by applying degreaser or Simple Green and water, brushing, and then hose them off. They can either be hung up to dry, or wet-vacuumed, and then hung out to dry. More photos on the way, as we get more done.

Diseasel300 · #33 11-10-2019, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

It is amazing how cleaning the carpets improves the look of these old cars.

That's an understatement! I use an old Thermax hot water extractor for carpets. What comes out of even "clean" looking carpets can be a horror show!

vwnate1 · #34 11-12-2019, 09:46 AM

I too have removed the carpets for shampooing, it really makes it easier, I always make sure to use a *very* soft bristle brush so to not damage nor unravel the edges .

? Do you use the Sam's Club de greaser or a different one ? .

After vacuuming the bare floor I always gently wash it as there's inevitably old spills there, especially under the plastic vent and vacuum hose tubes .

I thought Blue moved out of state .

ROLLGUY · #35 11-12-2019, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

I too have removed the carpets for shampooing, it really makes it easier, I always make sure to use a *very* soft bristle brush so to not damage nor unravel the edges .

? Do you use the Sam's Club de greaser or a different one ? .

After vacuuming the bare floor I always gently wash it as there's inevitably old spills there, especially under the plastic vent and vacuum hose tubes .

I thought Blue moved out of state .

I have found that ZEP Purple degreaser at Home Depot is the same stuff. It comes in a bright yellow bottle. Yes Blue moved to Oregon, but drives down often. He should be here again sometime this week to help assemble the engine from his 560,000 mile wagon. Complete engine rebuild- 557,000 mile 300TD

vwnate1 · #36 11-13-2019, 12:10 PM

THANK YOU ! .

? Is it as inexpen$ive as the Sam's Club stuff ? .

I hope you and Blue have fun, he's quite the character and *very* talented to boot .

I can't really drive for hours as I used to, I'd planned lots of auto touring with my Sweet when I retired but the Moto crash in 2017 that nearly killed me, has put the kibosh on that and almost everything else, dammit .

Please keep sharing your works and tips / tricks .

ROLLGUY · #37 12-14-2019, 08:10 PM

The car has been mostly sitting, but being driven every once in a while. I needed to pick up some plywood today, so I thought I would use the TD. I needed two sheets of plywood exactly 4'X6', so I had the guy at Home Depot cut the sheets. To my surprise, that size sheet fits PERFECTLY in the car. If it was a couple inches longer, it might not have fit. It is nice to be able to use the car for what it was made for!

Junkman · #38 12-15-2019, 09:52 AM

What did you use to clean the engine bay? Same as carpets?

ROLLGUY · #39 12-15-2019, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

What did you use to clean the engine bay? Same as carpets?

I used to use purple degreaser from Sam's Club, but I found the exact same stuff at Home Depot. It is in a bright yellow bottle made by Zep. Purple Industrial Degreaser (I think that is what it is called)......Rich

vwnate1 · #40 02-10-2020, 07:51 PM

Rich ;

Do you know what the special tool is necessary to undo the inner hatch strut ? .

I'm stumped and need to buy one .

TIA,

ROLLGUY · #41 02-10-2020, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Rich ;

Do you know what the special tool is necessary to undo the inner hatch strut ? .

I'm stumped and need to buy one .

TIA,

I think it is a T40 or T45 bolt under the rear panel. Sometimes the headliner is covering the head of the bolt. No other special tools needed.

vwnate1 · #42 02-11-2020, 10:11 AM

Nope ~ I tried both of those, the T40 is close but it slipped so I stopped .

Next I'll try the 8MM 12 point tool .

resto108 · #43 02-11-2020, 12:48 PM

I went through this a couple years ago, but can't remember. Pretty sure it was an even numbered star tool, but it was so tight I had to hammer it in. Torx doesn't sound right at all.

ROLLGUY · #44 02-11-2020, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Nope ~ I tried both of those, the T40 is close but it slipped so I stopped .

Next I'll try the 8MM 12 point tool .

You may have to use vice grips as well as a tool to loosen the bolt. Hammering the head may loosen it up as well. Worst case is you will have to drill or grind the head, and replace the bolt. If the tool will not turn the bolt, and it gets stripped out, more invasive techniques will be needed to remove the bolt.

vwnate1 · #45 02-11-2020, 06:26 PM

I knew I could depend on you alls for the straight skinny .

I found & purchased one at a VW Partshaus this morning .