560SEL accomplishments - Page 7 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Snowman · #91 03-11-2002, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Benzman500
In the 500 it took about 5 tanks of 93 octane to get it running right after a lond strech of 87 octane.
Just tought I would share

Should I be running premium on my 85' 500SEL. I've just been running 87 octane.

#92 03-11-2002, 09:26 PM

Im my german mannual it called for 97 octane which is about 93. It may make a diffrence in your car you may want to try it and see if you can notice a diffrence.

MikeTangas · #93 03-17-2002, 01:49 AM

Because you will fail as there isn't enough carbon monoxide to do the job

.

I cleared the last major hurdle on the 560 today. I felt brave and took her in for the smog check. Did this without even checking the hydrocarbons and CO after making a few adjustments by ear and seat of the pants driving (after changing the O2 sensor).

We plugged her into the computer (which is wired directly to the DMV, so they know immediately if it's a pass or fail) and started the test. Ran the high RPM (2500) then the low (idle) and passed with flying colors.

This car is clean, even the smog techs were surprised. She's only putting out 9 ppm Hydrocarbons and 0% CO at 2500 RPM and only 10 ppm hydrocarbons with 0% CO at idle. I think it's safe to assume this engine isn't burning any oil. The fuel used during the test had also been treated with Red Line Fuel System Treatment at a dose of 2 ounces for 20 gallons, so it's safe to say that RL treatment does not adversely affect emissions tests.

And to think just last week I was cranking away at the air/fuel mix with the 3mm allen trying to get it where it "felt" right.

Now it just little stuff it finish up on mechanically. Looks like my winter project is basically over

.

#94 03-17-2002, 08:50 AM

The project is never over. there is always something else.

suginami · #95 03-17-2002, 12:30 PM

That's right. The project is never completely over.

How does the a/c blow? Is it ice cold?

Do you plan on converting to R134a?

MikeTangas · #96 03-17-2002, 01:01 PM

right now, but I don't look at that as "major mechanical". That's more of the little stuff

.

The ACC works, air flow changes as interior temp changes or the wheel is adjusted. The compressor doesn't kick on, but I think that is due to low freon. One day after work or in a weekend or two, I will swing by a friends shop and pull the system down to check for leaks. If none then I hope to top it up with R12, if the shop is out of R12, I might consider converting to R134 but only if the shop is out of R12 and there is an expected delay in receiving more. Heater works great, no monovalve problems here.

I also plan on going through the front suspension, perhaps during the summer, well just because. Almost a thousand miles of test driving now, and I have decided the track rod (or brake strut) bushings are on their way out, so I might just do upper and lower ball joints at the same time. The car drives nice, tracks straight and no vibration at the wheel, the alignment is close if not on, but the front end will need attention by 175K I think.

All of that is small change compared to what I accomplished in about three months of weekends.

suginami · #97 03-17-2002, 01:03 PM

Great job Mike!

Does this mean that we'll finally get to see this car at the next shindig?

MikeTangas · #98 03-17-2002, 01:19 PM

Next get together I'll run the 560 across the mountain. If I have the A/C back on line in time, I also plan on running the 560 to Las Vegas when we go in April, took the 4.5 last year and it just loved the highway. Nothing like the feeling of just taking off across the desert in a 30 year old car and not taking any tools along.

suginami · #99 03-17-2002, 01:52 PM

When are you going to add a picture of the 560 to your signature, right next to the picture of the 4.5?

I think after all this, we at least have earned the right to see it.

DJNEWK2 · #**100** 03-18-2002, 08:31 AM

Good to hear everything went well for you Mike! It was good meeting ya here in Atlanta (good to put a face with the great posts)

I just got around to bleeding my hydraulic fluid and also doing that "easy" rear suspension adjustment that we talked about and also pulled out the panel to get to that wooden piece you showed me (thanks man, I thought it was hopeless until now) the only thing is trying to figure out exactly how to tackle it...I may have to have you explain the "woodworking" techniques you told me about

I also picked up my 02 sensor yesterday and plan to change it out by this weekend. I'm wondering if you know off the top of your head, the sizes of the wrenches I'll need again (so I won't have to keep going back and forth figuring it out as I go). Maybe one of your trips in your 560 will include a trek to Georgia some time in the future and perhaps I'll take me baby to California (or rather BACK to California,since that's where she was driven from by the original owner)! Keep up the good work and believe me, you'll find something else to tinker with :p

Alan

P.S. Did the book I gave you make for "interesting" reading on the plane ride back or what?

MikeTangas · #**101** 03-18-2002, 08:55 PM

Alan,

The "book" kept me occupied for most of the nearly 6 hours spent on two planes, found lots of little tidbits. Thanks.

To replace the O2 sensor, you'll need a 17mm socket to remove the crossmember (6 bolts), a 13mm socket to slightly loosen the front two tranny pan bolts (Just loose enough to allow the sensor lead to come free of the heat shield), a 10mm (maybe 12mm) deepwell to loosen the passenger side false wall (under the carpet) and a 22mm open/box combo to remove the O2 sensor. Wow, that was a long sentence.

Hardest part of the job in my opinion was getting the rubber plug back into the hole in the tunnel, kinda tight quarters there, but can be done with a little persistence. Best to have the rubber plug warmed up a little to facilitate getting the tunnel metal into the groove. The O2 sensor makes it's connection under to passenger false wall, at the lower left corner. Just slip the connectors from the spring clips and disconnect. You will also have to carefully pull the tunnel side panel away fron the hump a bit, it can be peeled back carefully just enough to access the passage through the tunnel. The rest of it is pretty much straight forward.

MikeTangas · #**102** 03-20-2002, 01:37 AM

The last step for being "road worthy" was finished today.

Immediately after work I went to the DMV with my stack of papers and inspection sheets and smog check results and...everything I thought they'd possibly need. The car passed the close scrutiny of the DMV investigators who verified the VIN at as many points as they could find, verified the emissions tag, federal tag, and any other ID point they could. Got a clean bill from them. Went to the counter handed the clerk the stack of paper and received a nice brown envelope in exchange.

That brown envelope contained my brand spanking new California plates

.

Almost four months to the day to bring a broken hulk of a car back to being duely registered and legal to drive. Remember, that was working weekends (with a few nights in there too) only, and a long vacation joined by a company trip or two.

I think it's Miller time.

Psshtt

Ashman · #**103** 03-20-2002, 03:00 AM

CONGRATS on a job well done mike!!!

Hopefully I'll make it to the next meet...

Alon

MikeTangas · #**104** 05-09-2002, 01:07 AM

Since making the 560 road worthy once again, I have now logged a shade over 3K miles. Changed the cleanest dirty oil today, it had darkened but still had a golden hue in the sunlight. The crankcase is now filled with the second installment of semi-synthetic oil and we'll see how dark this oil looks in 3K. So far no oil leaks, so one more semi-synthetic oil scrub and I'll make the swap to full (or at least what is labeled as full) synthetic.

In the 3K miles I have averaged 14.9 MPG mixed driving, high of 20.24 MPG and a low of 10.5 MPG.

The repairs to the tranny appear to have been a solid fix too. No leaks and shifts good.

This car has required very little since all of the big stuff was taken care of in the resurrection. So little in fact I'm getting the itch again. I'll have to keep that in check for a while but am leaning toward a diesel for my next project. I'll just take my time a wait for the "right" junker to bring home.

#**105** 05-09-2002, 07:55 PM

Very nice I am jelous.

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