Got a barn find! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lowesguy · #1 04-04-2013, 05:41 AM

Picked this 1991 500SL yesterday! has 34k on the clock! it hasn't been driven much,the hard top has never been off from day one, until yesterday! PO says he tried it and nothing happens so maybe hydrolics,have the day off tomorow and need to pull the fuel pressure regulator off,it was leaking from diaphragm,have a replacement on the way.
fuse c red blows,radio not functioning? its original,think the battery is new,may have somthing to do with radio? have radio code with documents.this car is a time machine! one of the cleanest I've seen,driven by a little old Japanese woman,original owner, she stopped driving years ago,she is 81 now. cosmetically superb car ,mechanically good,but need to check every hose and seals, original dealer tires from 1991,need new rubber!

TnBob · #2 04-05-2013, 12:34 AM

Nice find !!

lowesguy · #3 04-05-2013, 03:35 AM

Well I'm on day 2 of ownership and today pulled the fuel pressure regulator,waiting on replacement,should arrive soon,removed crumbling hood pad,can't explain why it was literally falling apart, I think the gas fumes must have caused that,this car sat for a long time,also raised the mint soft top manually for now,hydraulic system is like new,the old owners never had it up since new!

Stretch · #4 04-05-2013, 03:43 AM

That soft top is in amazing condition.

meltedpanda · #5 04-05-2013, 02:20 PM

Holy cow 34,000 miles, sweeet
these finds are out there and you got one. I just picked up a mint 99 e320 same situation, older lady , passed , and there it sat . perfect shape.
That will be one fine car to drive, make sure your tires are not dry rotted
Hood pads of that vintage seem to disintegrate for no real reason, fumes may be an issue, or just heat from the engine, or being parked outside when is was running. In any event an easy fix
DO as you plan check all rubber , change all fluids, have fun and keep us posted

Dr. Sternschnuppe · #6 04-05-2013, 05:12 PM

Very nice car!

lowesguy · #7 04-06-2013, 04:07 AM

Hope the fuel pressure regulator arrives tomorrow,have Sunday off! haven't really driven it!! can't wait! my w124 I drive is jealous I think? Dieter, and the other 2 Benz's are also pissed off to

!

Gusfazekas · #8 04-07-2013, 11:16 AM

I don't know how familiar you are with the early '90's SL's but I can say to you that if you have problems, keep my email fazekasstephen@gmail handy. I've had the '95 version and I have replaced many, many parts and have researched about everything there is to know about them. I just posted mine for sale today, so I doubt I will be on the forum much after its gone. Gone luck with your crème-puff. If you need to find out potential problems with this vehicle, go to RepairPal.com and enter the model/year information. The results are spot-on. Everything that can fail will eventually.

Good luck with it,

Steve

lowesguy · #9 04-07-2013, 05:01 PM

I have 3 other 2 w124,1 w126,all early 90's,and do all my own work,will keep your info,thanks! today got the FPR used from ebay,seller sent one for 1986 300E,numbers were off by 2 digits! he's sending another ,no big deal.
today checked the trunk out and pump for soft top,looks brand new and fluid is clean,top has never been up by PO,they just left the hard top on since 1991!
Found electrical system has a problem with location C in fuse box,controls door lights and sound system,fuse blows 2 times now,think original Becker radio may be at fault,antenna works flawlessly,in location C someone put a red fuse in there,should be white according to paper under lid,let me know whats in yours.
Thanks again!

Gusfazekas · #10 04-08-2013, 08:21 AM

John I'll check it for you later today and let you know, Best of Luck, Steve

deportes · #11 04-11-2013, 07:35 PM

Great find. I had a 1991 500sl that had 200 k miles and passed smog like it was new. GL.

Gilly · #12 04-12-2013, 08:14 AM

What does the soft top do when you try to operate it? They will often 'freeze" after sitting one winter, much less in a situation where the last time it was operated was probably 1991. Do the windows go down?

When it's tire time I would also ditch the chromed wheels and get some original gray ones.

There were lots of top seal problems the first several years.

lowesguy · #13 04-13-2013, 02:19 AM

Windows work,hard top latch's work automatically,will try soft top next week,fingers crossed!,should get FPR 3-4 days. chromes stay! dealer option ,original.

Gilly · #14 04-13-2013, 08:17 AM

Well "dealer option" does not mean "original", back when that car was made they didn't even allow you to chrome alloy wheels in Europe (in other words Mercedes would NOT approve!). But it's your car and your money, I know it wouldn't be cheap to do it. You will probably see why they didn't allow it when you go to replace the tires and see what the beads look like, I am surprised they seem to be holding air.

Is the tonneau opening? have you tried running the soft top at all yet? After this much time there is probably air in the system, which might bleed out itself or you might need to help it.

lowesguy · #15 04-13-2013, 01:31 PM

Need new tires the ones that are there are original 1991 tires that came with the beast! and there kinda bald!unlike me!haha,do these things eat tires? still waiting on part so I can drive it! its killing me,have appointment at DMV on Monday,since PO listed gift on bill of sale ,be able to save some cash for tires. truely a barn find low milage example,the door jams you can eat off of,this car has never been detailed,or left outside,unbelievable