One of the only bad things I have heard about the 1992 - + S-Class is the A/C woe that requires the entire dash to be removed. What exactly is this that causes the woe? - the evaporator? What happens- does it leak or.... ? What if you do not care that much about A/C? Is it something that can go unrepaired if you do not care about A/C? It gets hot here, but A/C stuffs up my nose, so I rarely use it in even in my cars with working A/C. I would just like to have it working to enhance the value of the car. I am asking because as mentioned in another thread, I am considering a 94' S420 and I am concerned about this maybe being a future problem. I may be getting overworked for nothing, as the one I am considering may have already been changed out, or perhaps I can make a deal with the seller (independent MB used dealer/repair). $4950, 1-owner car, black on black, like new, 164K, well maintained.... seems like a good deal? Lastly, what about the timing chains? How often should they be changed?

Thanks!

A/C evaporator leaking is the cause

You either didn't do enough research or don't believe what you read if you think the AC evaporator is the only major item to be concerned with in a W140

Timing chains in the M119 are a little more robust than in the M116/7. General thought is to plan replacement between 150 and 200K. It's a much more involved job because of the DOHC arrangement but with the right tools it shouldn't take much longer.

Get a PPI because there's more that can go wrong than just the evaporator.

If the cam oiling tubes break you'll wear the cam and/or lifters quickly. A ticking noise caught early can save an expensive repair.

Donnie says to walk away from any M119 with sludge under the valve covers. I forget why.

Caps, rotors and plug wires are over $500 a set and tend to not last long enough. SteveB says they can look terrible and work properly but many shops see the telltales of arcing and general wear and replace parts. I generally know my way around engines and it took me over 4 hours to replace these parts in my 95 S420. Not sure what book time is but I expect it's not a $49.95 deal at a tune-n-lube place.

Closing assist pump failure is annoying but closing the doors and trunk harder gets around it. Usually you can adjust the max pressure sensitivity of the pump so you don't hit the cycle time limit that shuts down the pump.

PSE pump failure is worse because you lose central locking and other features.

The stereo sounds great when it works but if it has pops or missing channels it's costly to have the amplifier repaired. The amp and speakers are a matched set so an aftermarket amp pretty much means aftermarket speakers all around.

94 was a bad year for engine bay wiring harness insulation. It's too common for cars of this vintage to have the check engine light to report random failures as a result. A replacement harness is not that expensive but figuring out that's what you need can be time consuming.

$5000 is a great price for a W140 but it could be that the owner is tired of throwing $2000 repairs at it every few weeks.

Sixto
93 300SD

Yes, if you don't care about AC you don't have to repair it.
Gilly

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I have seen some interior harnesses biodegrade past safe function.

MB Wiring Harness Failure
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/128181-mb-wiring-harness-failure-post927185.html




Have a great day.

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Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

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In addition to all of the above...I am having fits with the AC compresssor on my '93 500SEL. Aparently there is a sensor that compares the engine speed with the speed of the compressor. If they don't match the compressor shuts off. So far I have replaced the drive belt and tensioner and the only way that I can get it to work is to keep spraying STP belt conditioner on it every few days. In the spring when I get my income tax refund I plan on taking it in and just telling them to replace the compressor at a hit of $1150 (it's a nippondenso).

I love my W140, but you do need to have a fairly substantial bank account to keep up with the repairs!

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Old age and treachery will allways overcome youth and skill!

1993 S500
1984 380SL

OUCH!