Questions for W140 S500 Urgent!!!

[jchowe420]

Dear all,
I would like to know if the new MB coolant is in Blue color instead of brown? Is it a common problem for W140 to have leaks from radiator, coz the warning light come on and off sometimes (low coolant warning)

How's the AC? is it got improved compare with the 94/95 model? which seems a money pit when the eva go south.

For the parking sensor(not the parking stick that come out from the trunk), is it common for them to quit working? The device does start but cannot sense

THank you!

[Gilly]

The coolant in the German-assembled Mercedes for about the last 5 or so years has been a dark blue color. The US assembled (ML) Mercedes has still been yellowish color, (some say orange, depends on the individual perception, I say yellowish-amber) and this is also what is still sold at the dealerships in gallon jugs.

Yes, mid 1990's 140's are prone to evap leaks, I don't think there is enough overall experience yet to know if late 90's will still have this problem, or if the replacement units installed in the early 90's 140's will redevelop leaks.

The Parktronic sysyem seems fairly reliable. Once in awhile an individual sensor will fail, not a real problem system. You have to be aware of how the system operates, sometimes there will be an operator error type problem, have to read the book and make sure the system is turned ON.

Gilly

PS No, you don't see the radiator leaking in 140;s any more or less than any other MB, or any other CAR for that matter.

[jchowe420]

Thanks Gilly!
I saw my friend's 96 S500 and found out some white deposit(seems to me like oxidiation) in between the radiator and the front grill.. so i suspect if there is an accident b4 or his car got radiator explored/leak.

and the parkronic quit working, but not sure why

[jchowe420]

Dear Gilly,
so is the car have the 72.6 tranny(it is a 5sp auto), how do u feel with it? is it also bulletproof compare with my 4sp auto in 560SEL?

[Gilly]

Make sure the Parktronic is ON, there is a switch on the center console.
See if it is inop on the front, back, or both. Maybe if it was in a front end accident they messed up the wiring up front. Do you see the sensors on the front? maybe they put in a non-Parktronic front bumper? Hmmm, pretty reliable system normally, but it DOES seem like if it was in an accident you can count on a body shop screwing it up, that's when you have to work on them, hee hee.

Gilly

PS that white chalky stuff is inherent to the MB coolant, it has lots of "silicates" in it, which is actually like a lube for the water pump bearings (I know it doesn't seem like it, it has to be IN the fluid). I's see if you can get a pressure test done with the engine cold (in the morning) to check for coolant leaks. Maybe leave it at a shop overnight outside, that helps.

[jchowe420]

yes, i do see the sensor, and also tried the switch...(it also make sure the bee sound when turn it on.... and the display also on.... but it just cant sense anything.... there are 4-5 block orange and 2 block red... 2 block red was on only..............

i am suspect that this car has some minor accident too...esp when i see the white deposit in between the grill and radiator... i am planning to buy this car and will do a ppc before paying any cash...

[Gilly]

In regards to the transmission I believe it's a 722.6, if it is it has the "W-S" switch by the shifter lever.
You hear alot of gripes about this transmission, mostly blaming the lack of a fluid change interval. There were some early problems with it, and unfortunately this IS an early model for this transmission. I don't feel the "filled for life" fluid is a factor, on these early ones especially either you have a good one or you have a dud. How many miles on the car? If it's a high miler, by now you can probably safely say the car has a good tranny.
If you think the radiator has been replaced, you may want to get the fluid level checked and adjusted by an MB shop which KNOWS what it's doing with that tranny. It takes a special fluid. Make sure you research this transmission before touching it or allowing any one else to touch it. There are many threads here on the subject.

Gilly

[Gilly]

It sounds like the Parktronic may be working, hard to tell based on your description. I'd try getting within a few inches of something substantial such as a wall before criticizing it too uch. Use a helper to make sure you don't actually hit anyhting. Read the manual on the system too, and check front and rear. It is possible that some of the sensors are bad, I've worked on a couple cars where 1 or 2 sensors went bad. It is also possible for a shop to use the diagnostic computer to "read" the distances on individual sensors, which makes diagnosis real easy.

Gilly

[Gilly]

there are 4-5 block orange and 2 block red... 2 block red was on only..............

Should start on the amber side, then get more and more squares as you get closer to an object, the red ones come on last (closest, within about 6 inches or so I think, then you should have ALL the lights on and at some point (maybe as soon as the first light comes on, not sure) you get the audible warning. I don't know why you would have ONLY the red lights, the amber should come on first, then the reds come on as you get closer.Maybe the display has burned out LED's?
Gilly

[jchowe420]

Hi Gilly,
for the tranny, i still feel very solid, the car itself has 38000 miles. anyway will bring the car to do the ppc next mon, b4 will change the atf first.

for the parktronic, some said there is a tiny battery in every sensor, if those battery fail to work, the parktronic wont woke..... some said maybe fuse problem, anyway it is not a costly repair

[Gilly]

b4 will change the atf first

What does this mean, you're going to get it changed with only 38,000 miles on it?

Gilly

[jchowe420]

yes, will change motor oil and atf, plus flush the radiator. then will send the car to do the ppi.

[Gilly]

In regards to the transmission I believe it's a 722.6, if it is it has the "W-S" switch by the shifter lever.
You hear alot of gripes about this transmission, mostly blaming the lack of a fluid change interval. There were some early problems with it, and unfortunately this IS an early model for this transmission. I don't feel the "filled for life" fluid is a factor, on these early ones especially either you have a good one or you have a dud. How many miles on the car? If it's a high miler, by now you can probably safely say the car has a good tranny.
If you think the radiator has been replaced, you may want to get the fluid level checked and adjusted by an MB shop which KNOWS what it's doing with that tranny. It takes a special fluid. Make sure you research this transmission before touching it or allowing any one else to touch it. There are many threads here on the subject.

Gilly

[Gilly]

In case I am not being clear enough, I am NOT recommending the transmission fluid change, although you MIGHT want to consider having a Mercedes-oriented shop check the fluid level, ONLY if they have the knowledge and equipment to do it properly. Make SURE they have the ability and experience to do this on a 722.6!!
Gilly

[jchowe420]

Hi Gilly,
yes, the tranny is 5sp and with the W/S switch. So is that mean no atf needed to be changed? I heard that some newer model of mercedes and bimmer auto tranny are sealed and require no oil change... i will check with the shop and see what they say...
thanks!