R107 500SL Euro Vacuum Line Diagram - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diseasel300 · #1 09-26-2016, 12:13 PM

Anybody have a copy or know where to find a vacuum line diagram for a 500SL Euro? I'm having the hardest time finding the diagram for this car....everything I'm finding covers 450, 380, or 560SL/SLC, but not the 500. Differences are profound enough that the US diagrams are essentially useless.

This car has a lot of "weird" vacuum lines routed places and I'd like to go in and make it "right" and replace a lot of the rubber vacuum line fittings at the same time. Lacking a diagram is a bit of a sticking point.

This car was never "Federalized", so no cat, no emissions controls, no smog pump, no safety bumpers. All they did was put in the horrible sealed-beam headlights and stick-on decals over the German control legends.

Dmitry at Pelican Parts · #2 09-27-2016, 01:34 PM

Hey Diseasel300....try finding/buying the owner's manual. It should have all the diagrams and will greatly help you in the future with electrical issues. Best of luck!

-Dmitry

Diseasel300 · #3 09-27-2016, 02:12 PM

Are you sure about the Owner's Manual? I know the Service Manual would, but I haven't been able to locate one, which brings me here asking if someone else has the info!

C.Doner · #4 09-27-2016, 07:58 PM

The 280Sl/380sl/500sl euro owners manual I have has no wiring diagram. Just a standard owners manual. Now I do believe it has the fuse panel designation.

rowdie · #5 09-29-2016, 01:14 PM

No 107 has the wiring or vacuum diagram in the owners manual.

I have never been able to locate a service manual for the 500SL or 280SL.

C.Doner · #6 09-29-2016, 11:34 PM

You can always go to the dealer and ask to see a parts diagram for your vehicle. You will have to specify where IE fuel system, locking system, etc. There is a lot you can find out from those. I would check online in Britain or Canada for a Haynes or other 500sec euro shop book. That motor /car will be very similar as far as vacuum goes.

meltedpanda · #7 09-30-2016, 09:25 AM

have you reached out to the Classic Center ?

Diseasel300 · #8 09-30-2016, 10:38 AM

I've been looking out for a service manual for a 500SL, 500SEC, 500SE/L, or 500SLC and haven't yielded anything yet. Perhaps not in the right place at the right time.

I have a full shop manual for the engine itself, but it lacks any sort of vacuum line diagrams, which I find somewhat weird. I'd expect it to have at least the engine portion, even if not colored correctly since the engine fuel system requires vacuum to run!

I have been in touch with the Classic center in the past to obtain spare keys for the car. At that time, they (quite rudely) stated that they don't supply parts for or assist with "Grey imports" (the car was sold to Australia, then immediately shipped to the US to avoid having it "Federalized". The only "Federal" part of it is the headlights, makes for real fun getting it inspected every year.). The dealer is clueless to help with the key situation either since it's a Euro style key, with the strange inside-cut grooves. At least the SDL is easier to find parts for!

I'll keep looking. I found a diagram for the 560SL and largely figured out where most of the fittings are supposed to go and replaced all of the rubber vacuum fittings in the engine bay. What a difference! It ran well before, but now it's just a beast...scary actually.

C.Doner · #9 09-30-2016, 11:07 AM

Thats weird. I have two Grey market cars. They have not given me that line ever. They have always been more than helpful here in Santa Rosa. I would try again. I have not dealt with The classic center myself although The parts man at the counter has called them for me a few times.
They are there to sell you parts. Its Part of MB's motto, to help keep the cars going for a long time. Don't try over the phone. Go in person to any dealer give them your vin. Say you need a part from any system and they will provide the EPC with diagrams. Have them print it so you can see what part is needed. I have done it several times with no issue . With grey market the fuel system may be under carburetor. Odd as that sounds they mean Kjet.

C.Doner · #10 09-30-2016, 11:17 AM

Do you have an old key. A locksmith can recreate keycode if you have even a worn old original. It worked with me, but the locksmith did not charge me extra. He just did it for the challenge. It was $100 but I think it would be much more if I did it again. I have the key code now and may bring it to MB to try and have them make a Ignition lock for it. A reverse manufacture.

Diseasel300 · #11 09-30-2016, 11:18 AM

I've always heard that the MB Classic Center was supposed to be great for the older cars (especially the iconic ones), so I was very surprised when I got dusted off! Maybe it was just "that time of the month" or something, but it left a bad impression.

I live about 2 hours from the nearest MB dealership, so going to the dealer is an ordeal in itself. I made an appointment to get the SL aligned on a weekend. No problem. Called me the day before I was supposed to go down there (mind you this was THREE WEEKS after making the appointment) to notify me that they only do alignments on weekdays between the hours of 9 and 5 (Ok, so why the hell did you make my appointment for the weekend?!). To make up for it, they agreed to send a driver to take the car in and have the alignment done. When they got there, they were all confused because they were expecting a 1999 E320, not a 1983 500SL. How they could screw that up, I don't know.

Long story short, the dealer is 100% incompetent on the older cars. If you don't have a part number for what you need, they can't even help you. This is why I do business online with places like Pelican and MB Parts out of Georgia, at least you can find what you need and get help from people that have more than 1 functioning brain cell!

It's a shame that it's so hard to get GOOD service on the MB cars. The lack of service and knowledge in my general area has put me off from buying a new one. I was considering an E-class when I bought the Accord in 2011, and the issues getting the SL serviced put me off.

Diseasel300 · #12 09-30-2016, 11:20 AM

I do have a good key and I do have a locksmith. I've taken the key to him, and it's unusual enough that he can't duplicate it with his equipment. I've floated the idea of converting it to a US style lock just to have a spare set (currently only have a single door key and a single ignition key).

C.Doner · #13 09-30-2016, 11:39 AM

They need a special cutter for those. Mine was like $50 just for a cut not including the blank. The key should be the same as 190e. I have the same style on the 280SL. Not a problem here. Just was expensive. Look around till someone can help.

C.Doner · #14 09-30-2016, 01:54 PM

Tabellenbuch Mercedes W 201 124 126 S-Klasse R 107 300 420 500 560 SL SLC 1988! | eBay
Its in german. Plus 5 years. Hard to say. There is bound to be an english version for your year . Check tabellenbuch ebay.de or ebay in U.K. or Google UK. its different.

rowdie · #15 09-30-2016, 08:58 PM

I have ordered many parts from rhe Classic Center in Irvine, CA for my 500SL and 280SL, both are grey market. I refuse to belive anyone there stated they do not support grey market models. The only time I got that response was from dealers.