1982 240D head pulled now what!? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

indybenz · #46 03-10-2023, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shern

This step is totally unnecessary.

Unless you plan on leaving the citric acid flush in the system, there’s no reason to neutralize it.

Once you’re done with the citric step, flush it all out a few times and you’re good to go.

Thanks for the input!
When you say 'flush it all out a few times', what exactly do you mean? TY

vwnate1 · #47 03-10-2023, 10:04 AM

Looking good there .

I have used a sheet of glass (think old window pane salvaged from the curb) and grinding compound to return those pesky alloy sealing surfaces back to perfectly flat .

Good on you for taking the time to address the details, I know few will bother to wash old hoses with soapy water, yes, it does make a difference, your engine is far gone so you must needs address the details diligently .

Shern · #48 03-11-2023, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indybenz

Thanks for the input!
When you say 'flush it all out a few times', what exactly do you mean? TY

I mean literally flush it out. Do you have a garden hose handy?
Same step as before the citric flush. Heater core, block, radiator, random hoses, get all the shiz out. Then, if you’re really particular (I have personally never taken this step as the water I’m using isn’t an issue) I suppose you could pour a few gallons of distilled water through to flush out the hose water.

vwnate1 · #49 03-11-2023, 03:49 PM

What Shern said ! .

It's critical to flush and then reverse flush the heater core as it hangs down below the entrance nipples so sediment collects inside it and is near impossible to remove .

On your 240D or any gray market W123 without a Monovalve it's a very simple thing to undo the three (!) heater hoses and simply place the open end of your garden hose against one nipple have a helper turn on the water hard and watch the out flow ~ it'll typically run red / brown a moment then clear .

Reverse the flow by placing the hose to a different nipple and repeat, again you'll get a brief flow of cloudy water, then reverse the flow again, repeat until that short bust of cruddy water stops coming out, your heater will work better than ever before, even if you've deleted the electric auxiliary water pump and your engine will have more even cooling to boot .

Each time you reverse the water flow another layer of old rock hard dry silt comes off .

This is one more job where YOU will always do it better because you won't rush the job (or shouldn't), shops can't charge extra for this so they simply don't do a proper job .

indybenz · #50 03-13-2023, 02:03 PM

Well folks thanks a million for all the help with the cooling system.

I did what everyone suggested, aside from the baking soda flush. But I did the hose flush and soooooo much ***** came out! Unbelievable.

So it is all flushed, coolant in 50/50 mix of G05 (I think that's the number).

HOWEVER....

I drove to the store this morning. Ran great.

Decided to change the fuel filter and add a bigger one using a bracket I made.

All fine...

Filled the filter w/fuel, primed the system...and now for HOURS I've been trying to get the (*U(&R&(%&(uing thing started again.

I hate this car right now!

No fuel coming out of the injectors. I have tried everything I know. I guess I'll have to start replacing parts...again. ..starting with the primer pump.

It's so frustrating.

Shern · #51 03-13-2023, 03:45 PM

Happened to me before when changing secondary filter.
While priming, did you see return flow?
Disconnect the cigar hose and make sure there’s something coming out.
You may have a big air bubble in the IP.

On that note… are you parked nose up?
For whatever reason, when I do any work to my IP, unless I’m parking nose down, I have a bear of a time starting again.

indybenz · #52 03-13-2023, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shern

Happened to me before when changing secondary filter.
While priming, did you see return flow?
Disconnect the cigar hose and make sure there’s something coming out.
You may have a big air bubble in the IP.

On that note… are you parked nose up?
For whatever reason, when I do any work to my IP, unless I’m parking nose down, I have a bear of a time starting again.

Honestly I think I created my own problem using part 15w40 to fill up the new fuel filter...with some diesel in there.

I can't figure out what else it might have been, other than 'thick' fuel from the heavy oil.

But now I've discovered the source of the coolant smell in the car.

Shall I 'ass'ume that the coolant on the floor of the cabin is from a leaking heater core? It is not just clean/rain water. It is coolant, or at least partial coolant and partial whatever was in the core.

When I used the garden hose to flush out the 40 years of junk in there, I wonder if the pressure caused a breach in the core or if it had one already and the pressure from the hose made it worse?

Do I need to get a new heater core?

I've thought about selling the manual/mechanical system and going with an electric 12v style heater(s) to eliminate entry of any more liquid into the cabin. Sort of as an experiment, and to make my engine swap easier without having to route custom coolant hoses to/from the heater core to have heat and defrost.

Thoughts?

Sugar Bear · #53 03-13-2023, 06:39 PM

As dirty as the system was described the leak was found not created. Yes it probably needs a core. 12V heating hmm...that sounds interesting.

Yes, I would guess the 15W-40 caused the hard start.

Good luck!!!

vwnate1 · #54 03-14-2023, 12:26 AM

Oh, boy .

This -can- be a real PIA .

What I did was to clean the cooling system hospital clean then I filled it with a 60/40 mix of G% coolant and distilled water and one tube of 'ALUMASEAL' ~ that fixed it .

Changing the heater matrix is a bugger of a job .

For now just by pass the heater .

indybenz · #55 03-14-2023, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Oh, boy .

This -can- be a real PIA .

What I did was to clean the cooling system hospital clean then I filled it with a 60/40 mix of G% coolant and distilled water and one tube of 'ALUMASEAL' ~ that fixed it .

Changing the heater matrix is a bugger of a job .

For now just by pass the heater .

Oh man it would be amazing to not have to tackle this heater core right now. I'll try the alumaseal.

Over the summer (and after I have my daily driver back...which I broke last week by smacking a curb ;-( ) I will have this car all apart for the engine swap and can then do everything it needs.

As I said, I may even go with electric non-coolant heat but not sure yet. Gotta read more about it and it may be a stupid idea!

vwnate1 · #56 03-14-2023, 09:22 PM

Forget that word please .

Some ideas may indeed be poorly thought out on unwise but unless people think out side the box no progress is ever made .

For now I highly suggest by passing the heater completely (Spring is almost here) but BEWARE of ignoring it once the car is up and running as heater matrix' DO NOT LIKE sitting 'round dry .

I've not seen in in several years but I have a N.O.S. ?MEYLE? (brand) in the factory box .

No, I won't go look for it no matter how much $ you offer .

Remember : this is a simple car so work diligently and carefully and you'll get where you need to go .

indybenz · #57 03-15-2023, 12:10 PM

I'm not sure exactly how it all works, but for some reason there is fluid that leaks out onto the cabin floor sometimes but not others.

The first time it leaked, there must have been pressure built up in the system, perhaps an air bubble somewhere, that pushed the fluid out?! Then once the air bubble was gone, the pressure was less?

Not sure but I'm loath to not have heat and defrost. It's sub freezing here in Indy for a while yet.

Thinking...

If my cigarette lighter socket worked I'd get a wee heater but I have not figured out the 12v power situation yet...

Sugar Bear · #58 03-15-2023, 01:02 PM

Is the fluid definitely coolant? If it is water it could be a plugged evaporator drain on AC car.

Good luck!!!

indybenz · #59 03-15-2023, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Is the fluid definitely coolant? If it is water it could be a plugged evaporator drain on AC car.

Good luck!!!

100% coolant. No A/C on this car and it's just ...well...coolant for sure

indybenz · #60 03-21-2023, 11:23 AM

Someone asked for pics of the exterior. 15" steel wheels from my S202 wagon (gone to the crusher in Scotland ;-( ) with 12mm (?) spacers.

I like the 'petrol green' color, and would/will/might have it repainted in the same colour some day...after everything else is done.

CRC branded stop leak added and seems to have done the trick with the heater core. Time will tell.