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  #1  
Old 12-08-2011, 12:57 AM
JordaanDMC-12's Avatar
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Thumbs down Mercedes Rant...the ol 220 is wearing us down...

I have to say I love our little 1970 220D but man has this car been a non stop royal PITA for the past few months, you know when you hear the phrase; "fix one thing and another goes out"? That's this cars mantra... I know it's old, and it had been sitting for a long time but man o man it's just getting annoying now, it's just been recently that it's literally been one thing RIGHT after another.

First it was the injection pump which is was initial problem, fixed it back in 08, then a bolt was missing from the injection pump so large amounts of oil was leaking out, fixed that... Then the car wouldn't shut off, but we ended up getting that fixed quick. Then oil started leaking from the oil filler cap and the bolts to hold down the valve cover gasket which then eventually caused a valve gasket leak, fixed it. Then the radiator went out and had to be sprayed/cleaned which caused a leak from the heater valves, then the speedo cable went out which was fixed BUT went out again and at the moment still needs replacing. Then the alternator light came on, swapped out the alternator which temporarily relieved the problem meanwhile diesel started leaking from the tank in the back which was just recently fixed.

The alternator light came on yet again and the battery would not charge, was working on the then newly acquired 300E so the charging issue wasn't resolved for awhile, had to be put on a battery charger after every drive. Then the vacuum or air pump went out and needed to be fixed.... And mind you this entire time the brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor at a stop. The car started blowing about HUGE amounts of white smoke and running horribly which I wasn't there for but I believe it was due to the air or vacuum pump, that was then fixed. Not to mention when the shifter lever broke in half while driving! So we fixed that... Then we took care of the alternator and it finally charged again! All was well right? When then the alternator bracket broke and had to be welded back on!! which caused squealing and for some reason one of the rubber hangers holding the muffler went out causing it to rub and make a loud chattering noise... So we fixed all of that except the brakes which still sink in... It was running pretty well after that until the glowplugs wouldn't light suddenly so the car was nearly impossible to start, when we finally got the glow plugs in, it glowed but now was still hard to start whereas before the gp's went, just a quick glowing and she'd start right up... So we've been dealing with that until we cant have it looked at so yesterday I had to take it to work because my mom was using my 300E, and I was leary because even with the glow plugs she's hard to start now when it's cold.. Was running just find when I drove and parked it... Got off my shift took about 5-6 attempts to start then it started squealing horribly which I figured was due to the cold about 34 degrees outside... So I drive with it sounding like im skinning a cat or something the entire drive back, check it out this morning and the bolt broke holding the alternator in place.... I was just like "really?" The mechanic we take it too is literally less than a block away so I was just going to drive it there seeing how I drove it on the freeway like that yesterday... I try to start it today(in the daytime, with about 6 full glow cycles) and it won't start for anything, I tried it all the way until the battery just couldn't provide the power anymore... It was so frustrating........ and still is....

I love to think about just dropping a 300D Turbo Diesel motor in it... something that isn't as needy as this engine is.... ugh

I have to say, it's such an amazing feeling going from that to jumping in my trustworthy 300E turning the key and boom, she starts and I have a comfortable, smooth, almost worry free ride! (I say almost because my srs light keeps kicking on for some reason)

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Last edited by JordaanDMC-12; 12-08-2011 at 01:16 AM.
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  #2  
Old 12-08-2011, 08:14 AM
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Location: Blue Point, NY
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I can commiserate to a point.

When they sit around in the garage and are not driven for six months or more, bad things start to happen in a big way.

The SD was garaged for nearly eight months to do front end work when I could get to it. Finally got it all done, new tires and alignment, replacement rear window gasket, and it was nonstop BS to try to get back to daily driver status.

First the battery gave up the ghost. But I bought it in 2002 so I couldn't complain

Then, the alternator gives out in NYC and I drive it home without headlights.

Then the replacement belts for the alternator, 5mm longer to attempt to get them on without removing the fan, stretch to the point where the adjuster runs out of travel. Turns out that the belts are of different construction than the original and never would have lasted.

Then, I break the tensioning bolt on the next attempt to remove the belts.

Then, it goes back into the garage for a couple of more months.............

Get back to it with new belts, a new tensioning bolt, and the new alternator and it seems to be finally OK with all that.

Then the odometer finally gives up the ghost completely and it has to off for repair and cleaning.

But, I decide to change the cluster housing at the same time and did that turn out to be a cluster fuk. For various issues relating to the new housing, and problems with bulbs, the housing was removed and reinstalled no less than 10 times. It's now headed for the 11th time because the alternator won't charge until the engine reaches 2000 rpm. At that point, the BRAKE indicator goes out. Yep, somehow the brake indicator is related to the alternator...................
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  #3  
Old 12-09-2011, 12:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12 View Post
I have to say I love our little 1970 220D but man has this car been a non stop royal PITA for the past few months, you know when you hear the phrase; "fix one thing and another goes out"? That's this cars mantra... I know it's old, and it had been sitting for a long time but man o man it's just getting annoying now, it's just been recently that it's literally been one thing RIGHT after another.

First it was the injection pump which is was initial problem, fixed it back in 08, then a bolt was missing from the injection pump so large amounts of oil was leaking out, fixed that... Then the car wouldn't shut off, but we ended up getting that fixed quick. Then oil started leaking from the oil filler cap and the bolts to hold down the valve cover gasket which then eventually caused a valve gasket leak, fixed it. Then the radiator went out and had to be sprayed/cleaned which caused a leak from the heater valves, then the speedo cable went out which was fixed BUT went out again and at the moment still needs replacing. Then the alternator light came on, swapped out the alternator which temporarily relieved the problem meanwhile diesel started leaking from the tank in the back which was just recently fixed.

The alternator light came on yet again and the battery would not charge, was working on the then newly acquired 300E so the charging issue wasn't resolved for awhile, had to be put on a battery charger after every drive. Then the vacuum or air pump went out and needed to be fixed.... And mind you this entire time the brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor at a stop. The car started blowing about HUGE amounts of white smoke and running horribly which I wasn't there for but I believe it was due to the air or vacuum pump, that was then fixed. Not to mention when the shifter lever broke in half while driving! So we fixed that... Then we took care of the alternator and it finally charged again! All was well right? When then the alternator bracket broke and had to be welded back on!! which caused squealing and for some reason one of the rubber hangers holding the muffler went out causing it to rub and make a loud chattering noise... So we fixed all of that except the brakes which still sink in... It was running pretty well after that until the glowplugs wouldn't light suddenly so the car was nearly impossible to start, when we finally got the glow plugs in, it glowed but now was still hard to start whereas before the gp's went, just a quick glowing and she'd start right up... So we've been dealing with that until we cant have it looked at so yesterday I had to take it to work because my mom was using my 300E, and I was leary because even with the glow plugs she's hard to start now when it's cold.. Was running just find when I drove and parked it... Got off my shift took about 5-6 attempts to start then it started squealing horribly which I figured was due to the cold about 34 degrees outside... So I drive with it sounding like im skinning a cat or something the entire drive back, check it out this morning and the bolt broke holding the alternator in place.... I was just like "really?" The mechanic we take it to is literally less than a block away so I was just going to drive it there seeing how I drove it on the freeway like that yesterday... I try to start it today(in the daytime, with about 6 full glow cycles) and it won't start for anything, I tried it all the way until the battery just couldn't provide the power anymore... It was so frustrating........ and still is....

I love to think about just dropping a 300D Turbo Diesel motor in it... something that isn't as needy as this engine is.... ugh

I have to say, it's such an amazing feeling going from that to jumping in my trustworthy 300E turning the key and boom, she starts and I have a comfortable, smooth, almost worry free ride! (I say almost because my srs light keeps kicking on for some reason)
speechless
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  #4  
Old 12-09-2011, 12:11 PM
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That's kind of the way it goes with an aged vehicle. You rock along for awhile with everything peachy keen and then a bunch of stuff happens at once. If you're committed to the vehicle, then tomorrow might be the day when you get the last problem squared away and see many months and miles of trouble free service.

Hang in there. Keeping it original or not, is a personal decision.

Good luck with it.
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  #5  
Old 12-09-2011, 02:01 PM
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I would stick with it my man. I have bought a few cars in my life that sounded like yours. The previous owners of these cars told me that they were tired of fixing things and sold the cars to me cheap. In both cases the cars only needed one or two small things fixed. One of the cars was a 1992 Volvo 240 DL Wagon. I put a water pump on and it lasted me for 10 more years and when I sold it, I saw it drive past my shop almost daily for another five years.
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  #6  
Old 12-09-2011, 09:25 PM
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Location: upstate SC
Posts: 79
+1 on sticking with it...

Not to be a p***k but you may want to find another mechanic. If he cant effectively diagnose and repair a charging/alt/belt problem coupled with a glow/extended crank issue on a 42yr old car on the first attempt......well...??
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Old 12-09-2011, 09:57 PM
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My most recent one was a Jeep at one of the new auctions where they don't let us drive anything. Its quickly turning into the turd bowl, where all the dealers dump off their nasty trade-ins and problem children.

I took a chance on a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a grand since it was clean and ran well enough. No obvious external leaks. Everything except the blower motor seemed to work.

Drive home:

Turned out to have a horrible miss under load. The head gasket had broken between 2 cylinders.
The front hub was making a terrible noise at speeds over 40.
A bit louder was the rear axle that started getting noisy over 50.
Miracle in the bottle cooling system sealer lasted through the auction until the radiator starting puking its guts.
Battery was stone dead.
Tires were flat spotted and ruined from sitting for so long.
Warped Rotors
Someone had taken a few jumps and really boogered up the front suspension.
The climate control, as I suspected, turned out to be a simple relay.

If it weren't for David, a forum member who recently opened up his own shop, I would have been totally up a creek paying normal shop rates and book time. I still stand to make some money on it miraculously.
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  #8  
Old 12-10-2011, 05:59 PM
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Normal for old cars.

If it has tires or a skirt, you're going to have problems with it.
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  #9  
Old 12-10-2011, 06:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
If it weren't for David, a forum member who recently opened up his own shop, I would have been totally up a creek paying normal shop rates and book time. I still stand to make some money on it miraculously.
I'm glad it's working out for you and him. I remember his first post about his putting up a shop on his property, and was looking for work.

Do you still regularly send cars to him that you purchase for your business?
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  #10  
Old 12-11-2011, 06:01 AM
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 766
Thanks all for input, experiences and wisdom, we are going to stick it out with her as always, aside from the numerous problems that seem to arrive daily, she had provided reliable service in a crucial time when we needed an extra car, it's just lately she's been acting up. It's at the mechanics right now and won't be ready until Monday so it'll be nice to have her back. We are still looking for a very good diesel MB mechanic out here, I wish I could take it to Pierre in Florida, I read so many posts on how awesome he is and you can be there for the repairs, wish we could find someone like that here!

I remember reading a quote on here that went; "A cheap Mercedes is the most expensive" and it's so true, which sucks Lol
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  #11  
Old 12-11-2011, 06:05 AM
JordaanDMC-12's Avatar
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 766
Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
My most recent one was a Jeep at one of the new auctions where they don't let us drive anything. Its quickly turning into the turd bowl, where all the dealers dump off their nasty trade-ins and problem children.

I took a chance on a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a grand since it was clean and ran well enough. No obvious external leaks. Everything except the blower motor seemed to work.

Drive home:

Turned out to have a horrible miss under load. The head gasket had broken between 2 cylinders.
The front hub was making a terrible noise at speeds over 40.
A bit louder was the rear axle that started getting noisy over 50.
Miracle in the bottle cooling system sealer lasted through the auction until the radiator starting puking its guts.
Battery was stone dead.
Tires were flat spotted and ruined from sitting for so long.
Warped Rotors
Someone had taken a few jumps and really boogered up the front suspension.
The climate control, as I suspected, turned out to be a simple relay.

If it weren't for David, a forum member who recently opened up his own shop, I would have been totally up a creek paying normal shop rates and book time. I still stand to make some money on it miraculously.

Oh man.... that was quite the lemon, glad to hear that it's profitable though! How much do you plan to sell it for?
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  #12  
Old 12-11-2011, 06:20 AM
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The day before the alternator bolt broke, I had just driven her to the RMS Queen Mary, to drop off an application Thought it was a cool pic..

[IMG][/IMG]
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  #13  
Old 12-11-2011, 07:01 AM
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It is a beautiful totally original lifetime Southern California car, even with its original 1970 gold and blue California plates still on it.

I remember it (and you) well, on some of the internte-organized drives and tours you participated in.

So keep with it. With good care it will last forever. It is an anvil tough automobile.

So regal elegant and honest.

And very few survivors in that color which is perfect.


I took these on the the Yucaipa drive going to Apple Valley....

\





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Last edited by Jim B.; 12-11-2011 at 07:29 AM.
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  #14  
Old 12-11-2011, 09:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12 View Post
Thanks all for input, experiences and wisdom, we are going to stick it out with her as always, aside from the numerous problems that seem to arrive daily, she had provided reliable service in a crucial time when we needed an extra car, it's just lately she's been acting up. It's at the mechanics right now and won't be ready until Monday so it'll be nice to have her back. We are still looking for a very good diesel MB mechanic out here, I wish I could take it to Pierre in Florida, I read so many posts on how awesome he is and you can be there for the repairs, wish we could find someone like that here!

I remember reading a quote on here that went; "A cheap Mercedes is the most expensive" and it's so true, which sucks Lol
Speaking of Pierre- The young man is fast becoming a legend- his life storey extremely interesting...'Good people', and a class act all the way.

Oh...and I also need to mention that he once went way beyond the call of duty to bail me out of a knarly situation in regards to my 300 SD and some very inconvenient transmission problems the car developed.

Nuff said~
JC
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  #15  
Old 12-11-2011, 12:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12 View Post
We are still looking for a very good diesel MB mechanic out here, I wish I could take it to Pierre in Florida, I read so many posts on how awesome he is and you can be there for the repairs, wish we could find someone like that here!

I remember reading a quote on here that went; "A cheap Mercedes is the most expensive" and it's so true, which sucks Lol
Why don't you take the car to Mr. MB Motors in Tarzana?

Just do a search on this site for Mr. MB Motors or "Enrique", and you'll get a ton of testimonials.

And don't tell me it's too far: you're in La Puente and I'm in Diamond Bar.

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