newbie needs tune up help

[carlover]

I just bought an '86 560SL ( My first Mercedes ) with 62K miles on it and am told that it needs a 60K mi tune up. The local Mercedes mechanic ( not the dealership ) says it will cost about $500 and they change the plugs, filters, etc.. Can someone tell me what filters need to be changed ? I can change filters and plugs myself. That brings me to my next question---why do the plugs need changing every 30K ? The mechanic says "the book says to do it" so they always change them.
I'm a "backyard mechanic" and have been changing plugs and doing tuneup type work on some old 1950's and 60's cars I have, so I think I can do some things on this Mercedes. I realize it has fuel injection rather than a carburator, but aside from the fuel injection, I think I can change the filters ( including the transmission filter ) without much of a problem. Am I dreaming or do the filters in this car require some sort of special tool or talent ? Do you guys always take you cars to a Mercedes mechanic ? I'm just trying to learn the do's and dont's of a new kind of car.
Any help with the parts I will need to do this tune up will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Tom

[rwolak]

I don't know about the transmission filter, but I have a '78 450SL that I just did a complete tuneup on (plugs, wires, distributor cap, etc). Also, changed the fuel filter and accumulator. Nothing special, in the way of tools, was needed. All metric stuff. I would imagine that doing the tranny filter change is the same thing.

[Alkraut]

Depending on your mechanical skills and experience, the 560SL is a vehicle that you can do a decent amount of maintenance yourself. Spark plugs are straightforward. Take care in removing the boots off the plugs, then standard tools. They need changing at 30K because they are not platinum, use standard Bosch per the specs. As far as fluid changes, the recommended ones are motor oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering and transmission fluid. The rear differential is also a candidate. Doing searchs on this forum will supply lots of good information.

Motor oil is easy, the drain plug takes an odd metric hex wrench, but you can get on the collar of the plug with a pipe wrench. The oil filter is a refill type, and is readily available...a bit different to change than the standard spin-on. Coolant is straightforward, drain for radiator is accessable. Use the correct coolant, Zerex G-05 is the right stuff (yellow, not Dexcool), or from MB dealer. Brake fluid is Dot 4, search articles on flushing/bleeding.
Power steering uses standard fluid or MB fluid. Transmission uses Dextron III. As far as filters, the easy ones are the air filter, oil filter, and power steering pump filter (yup, it's in the reservoir). The fuel filter(s) are in the rear underside and are a bit more of a job (maybe leave these to a M/B mechanic). The transmission filter is not bad, assuming you have done them before on other auto trans cars, somewhat messy, and requires removal of the transmission pan. I left the fuel filter and transmission fluid/filter change for a good independant mechanic (who works on Mercedes and other european cars) . Also check your brake pads and front suspension bushings. Good Luck

[Strife]

The only comment I'd make to an occasional mechainc is to have or get a torque wrench(es) and a manual with the torque specs in it. Modern cars with aluminum heads/blocks/transmission housings require extra care in starting and tightening anything threaded; mistakes are a PITA and expensive.

Also, if you are changing the plugs and the ignition wires are original (mine were 18 years old), assume that you will break at least one (get a new set).

[Strife]

PS The fuel filter is fairly easy, but you need good wrenches (including a "brake line" wrench, that wraps 3/4 around).

[Gary Ganaway]

I like doing all this stuff to my cars but I find it easier on the body to let my indie do the transmission filter and fluid change plus the brake fluid change also. All theothers like the oil, air, fuel, ps filters, plugs, wires, rotor, dist cap, brake pads are easily done by diy

[Roncallo]

60K service for the 560SL includes

Brake test & parking brake check

Interior:
Check warning and indicator lamps and horn
Check ALL interior lamps including the one in the glove box
Clean cassette deck head
Inspect head lamps and exterior lamps
Inspect test and adjust windshield and headlamp (if applicable) washer system
Inspect seat belts
Disconnect O2 Sensor

Body:
Lube door hinges and locks
Clean antena mast
Check headlamp wiper blades if applicable
Check and adjust windshiel washer nozzels
Replace Windshield wiper inserts.
Every 2 years clean water drains inspect body for paint damage

Wheels, Tires and Brakes:
Rotate and inspect tires
Correct tire pressure
Check brake pads and rotors
Adjust parking brake
Every 2 years, replace brake fluid

Underside of Car:
Inspect condition , routing, leaks, of components, lines and hoses
Check and correct rear axel fluid
Check ball joints
Check stearing play
Retighten stearing gear bolts
Inspect drive shaft flex disks
Inspect parking brake cables
Replace fuel filter
Replace O2 Sensor
Drain transmission fluid and torque converter fluid and replace filter
Drain engine oil and replace filter
Every 2 years, inspect suspension and body structure
Every 3 years, drain engine coolent
After car is down reconnect new O2 sensor inside

Engine Compartment:
Inspect condition , routing, leaks, of components, lines and hoses
Refill engine oil
Refill transmission fluid
Replace Plugs
Replace air filter and airpump filter
Check and adjust belts
Check and adjust antifreze
Check and adjust brake fluid
Check and adjust power steering fluid
Check and adjust windshield washer fluid
Check and adjust AC charge
Inspect and lubricate engine throttle linkage
Every 3 years, refill engine coolent

Trunk:
Check spare tire pressure
Check and adjust battery electrolyte

John Roncallo