Achtung - Das schweinhund baby benz thread

[Fact150]

Originally Posted by Stretch

You can now remove the seal.

As you can see this one is pretty grim - but after a soak in water and detergent and then a spray with 303 it came good





This is the Bosch way of getting the mono wiper extension - the original version that was fitted to my car was totally different. It was more of a crank style solution that does not allow you to remove the cover. I don't know how on earth they put it together...



Keep an eye on all the shims - tape them in place so you won't forget.

Well I found your tread here and I am attempting to remove the black plastic cover! This thread is helping a lot and I'll be reading it tonight. Took for ever to see that there was a clip on the spindle since it was really dirty. It was pretty easy to remove from the car. I'll be updating my post on BW.

[Simpler=Better]

Incredible! Glad to see it's almost running :_)

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Incredible! Glad to see it's almost running :_)

I'd have finished it three months ago if it hadn't been for some unforeseen personal trouble.

Anyway I guess I'd better get on and get that four wheel alignment done

Then it is just the exhaust - not quite sure if I'm going to make up a custom one for myself just yet or not

[Simpler=Better]

Originally Posted by Stretch

I'd have finished it three months ago if it hadn't been for some unforeseen personal trouble.

Anyway I guess I'd better get on and get that four wheel alignment done

Then it is just the exhaust - not quite sure if I'm going to make up a custom one for myself just yet or not

Assuming the stock exhaust is anything like the diesels it should be fine. I went through the trouble of making a nice exhaust for my 2.5L gasser, and got no improvement going from 2" crimp bends to 2.5" mandrels. Well, it's not rusted out anymore so I guess that's an improvement

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Assuming the stock exhaust is anything like the diesels it should be fine. I went through the trouble of making a nice exhaust for my 2.5L gasser, and got no improvement going from 2" crimp bends to 2.5" mandrels. Well, it's not rusted out anymore so I guess that's an improvement

Yeah I kind of thought it would be something like that for a petrol Mercedes too - this is however, partly a cost related exercise. The cost of a new standard catalytic converter is stupid money compared with a replacement magnaflow...

[Stretch]

Update on the four wheel alignment.

I gave it a shot - the driveway I have is not very level. The best bit is under the W123 at the moment and that isn't mobile. I put the W201 on the best of the rest that is left and I got it up on four slip plates. This time I used sheets of thin wood (like plywood) as slip plates with axle grease between. The wooden slip plates aren't as wild as the metal plates I've made up before. They have a little bit of friction which helps with the control-ability and positioning of the car.

I spent about half an hour positioning the car and I had it all in position. Turned round to go and get a cup of coffee and the car rolled off the slip plates and buggered off down the driveway! ****! Great comedy moment saved by some bricks at the end of the driveway that stopped the car roll off any further...

...so I'm taking this as a sign to stop. I'm going to tighten up the bolts on the suspension as they are and take the car off to the dealer once I've fitted the exhaust pipe. It is a pain in the arse and it will probably cost me more than 200 euros but I just don't have a flat enough bit of ground that I can use at the moment to do the job safely myself.

For the record - I know this sounds reckless and mad - with hindsight it isn't quite as clever as I thought it was (but I had done the job before on the W123 in a different place on the driveway without any escape attempts!). In my defence the driveway has a slope that is nearly unmeasurable. I estimate it to be less than half a degree. So it just goes to show - tiny incline - slip plates - car (with new wheel bearings all round) - not a great combination.

[Simpler=Better]

I've been running one of these cats for a year, welded directly to the exhaust manifold, and wrapped in fiberglass. No issues as far as I can tell(No codes, no melty-hot, exhaust smells clean, etc.)

Online performance car parts site Performance-Curve.com carries Nissan performan - Thunderbolt - Spin Cat - Metallic

From what I've read the metallic cores is the most durable, and the ceramic cores should be avoided if possible.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

I've been running one of these cats for a year, welded directly to the exhaust manifold, and wrapped in fiberglass. No issues as far as I can tell(No codes, no melty-hot, exhaust smells clean, etc.)

Online performance car parts site Performance-Curve.com carries Nissan performan - Thunderbolt - Spin Cat - Metallic

From what I've read the metallic cores is the most durable, and the ceramic cores should be avoided if possible.

Thanks for the tip - I'll figure out if I can get them in Europe because the last time I imported something I got really stung by the Dutch import duty.

I decided to tell myself today not to be so negative about the old exhaust. I decided to put it back on the car and give it a go...

...this bit came off in my hand...



...hmmm now the middle hanger is missing - I guess I'd better get the welder out again.

[Stretch]

Wow

I remember this thread...

I remember this car...

Blinking heck eh - you would have thought it would be done by now wouldn't you?

Unfortunately not just yet!

Anyway after fitting the old exhaust that mounting bracket snapped off. Pain in the arse. I removed the exhaust again today and crudely and quickly welded the bracket back on =>





I didn't really bother to do a beautiful job because of the state of the rest of the parts. The cover on the catalytic converter is rusted through in places and the rest of the mufflers look a bit shady too.



Still the plan is to get the exhaust fitted and then see if the beast will start.

Next problem =>

Replacement Carlsson head has short studs in it. May be a sports manifold was intended to go with the head? May be early M102 exhaust manifolds are thinner than the later ones? M102 exhaust manifolds and known to crack...



...so anyway 4mm Allen key and a bit of wiggling got them out. Replacement parts from dealer failed to arrive today, however, as "someone" left them in Germany. So may be in the next few days I'll be able to swing by and get the bits and actually fit the exhaust.

Battery is on charge!

[Stretch]

Some days you just get those days - got the studs - got the nuts for the exhaust manifold



Comparison with the ones that were in the Carlsson head



Fitted the studs only to be reminded that this sodding car is too bloody small! There is not enough space to fit the manifold when the studs are in place. I don't like to fit the studs through a manifold as they might come loose that way (I prefer the stud fitted first) but I have no option...

[Stretch]

...but not as nicely as it would have been if the studs had been fitted to the head first. Still you can't have everything.

Adapter for the oxygen sensor is a 27mm hex



Sensor itself 24mm hex



Tomorrow if I get the chance I'll bleed the clutch one last time and then fit the exhaust. I might even try to start the sodding engine.

[Simpler=Better]

Looking good! Resist the temptation to fire it immediately, turn her over a few times by hand to get the oil flowing first.


On a side note, what would happen if you used one of these?

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Looking good! Resist the temptation to fire it immediately, turn her over a few times by hand to get the oil flowing first.


On a side note, what would happen if you used one of these?

I'm guessing the vehicle would fail the annual emission test. If they found out it wasn't a catalytic converter they would fine me pretty heavily. I have no idea how much that would be in Holland. Considering crossing a solid white line (no over taking) is something like 260 euros I'd expect to be facing thousands of troubles...

...pulling a trailer with no cargo net covering the load bay? That's something like 500 euros I think. And for each fine they charge you a really irritating administration fee. It is a big old stealth tax racket here.

[Stretch]

...filled up the tank with fuel and it leaked out under gravity via the fuel pump.

Sodding ****ing hell!



Fixed that leak and then refilled the tank.

Connected the battery - fuel pump ran - system under pressure

Same sodding bit leaks!

Arse buckets.

Oh well I'll drain it again tomorrow.

Happy days.

[ChevellRCR]

You're almost there. Thanks for documenting everything so far.