Ohh man, I sure hope you stay really safe!!!! A mile away is REALLY close, and the embers and the fires can move quick in those winds.

Please let us know you are OK.

These cars can be run on a budget, as I also am trying to do. They are not so difficult for competent mechanics and DIYers to work on, and I especially like the look, or the short wheelbase 380SE and 300SD and 300SE.

If yours is an '84 it may or may not have the troublesome single row timing chain. Only the US cars got those, up until partway through 1984, and they broke a lot.

They needed to be replaced with a double row chain, and once those and the tensioner and guide rails were done, you would be good for another 100,000 miles.

Do you know the status of yours Charlie? I hope all is good with it.

You did a great job with JB weld. My father loved that stuff when he was alive, he died last year, he used it for everything.

Don't sorry, a 560SEC or a Euro 500SEC may be in your future may be closer in your future if you want one, than you think. The price of gas has dirven their prices way down, and they are amazingly affordable nowadays.

Also, the largest supply of really good ones is right there in Southern California.

Stay safe, and I wish you will be alright tomorrow.

I too hope Enrique enjoys working on the SEC coupes. I would sure hate to get there and find out he didn't, after driving 600 - 700 miles to find that out. LOL!!

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Shadow,

I am pretty sure from what I read the fire danger has moved away from your area- did I get that right? San Diego is a holocaust, I know at least one person near Escondido that may have lost his place in Del Dios.

You are tough, and estremely resourceful, but I hope it will not be tested in some trial by fire.

Your car is coming fine, and I hope Enrique can sort things quickly, soon and inexpensively. He has about 50 years experience with Mercedes I am told.
Maybe tomorrow - or the next day?

I am going nuts about the wheels. It is going flat on one wheel about every 3 days now. Pumped it up yesterday again. It will be hard to wait to 11/22 or beyond, for new chromes.

If I go to MR MB, I know the days are getting shorter now, and have to wait till fires are out.

I am thinking about reconsidering - maybe going to painted wheels. Look to the right on second row. They are supposedly available NOW. But I have the Chrome center caps already here, money down the toilet if I don't use them.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/results.jsp?autoMake=Mercedes-Benz&autoModel=560SEC&autoYear=1991&autoModClar=

Supposedly the chroming on the Chrome wheels degrade the strength of the wheels, especially after the 2nd rechroming, and they are goners if the lips peel on them. The chromes are EZ to clean, shiny, and may not last as long.
Also, the actual chroming process varies, so some come out looking great, and others not so.

I asked about this on the other forums, and there is a 50/50 split so far on whether i should change.

The Subaru Outback has the Painted aluminum wheels, not TOO difficult to keep clean, but they look so Ho Hum, boring, nothing special. Actually the whole Subaru is ho hum and boring....but at least no car payments on it.
I never want to do that again.

I think I will go to the tire store and see what they say tomorrow. What do YOU think I should do? If I do go with the painted aluminums, I guess I should get a nice refund on the price - the chromes cost a lot more.
Maybe ask them to remunt the leaking tire and try to seal the bea, new valve stems? And check the oil, LOL!!!

I was told the ASA brand is actually a lower line of the BBS wheel company, so that should be good. Everyone knows what BBS is.

Then I would have to find center caps on another auction at ebay and wait for those, and pay all over again. Darn. That could be 1-2 weeks more.
Damn things.

I need to have my "big red" checked, filled and installed. Maybe Enrique could mount it? Don't know.

Thanks for listening to my rant, Shadow

Sometimes it seems these cars own us doesn't it? Always something going on, but they are good basically. Rant over....... good night..

LATE EDIT: Oh CS, Did you get a wheel lock key yet?

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Looks aren't everything
I understand your esthethics
but I;d go with the stronger long term inbestment
over the shiny coated potential problems.

I don't like too spoky
those r really hard to clean & in my opinion less strength

What about those MB down here?


Heck I;s just go w a solid metal
but thats me
% I has a valve on the Volvo that did that
& no fun at all
esp now since you have to pay for air...

I'm going to callEnrique
guess all his cars should be about in now

See what he thinks about the plugs & wires
if any are real off
I'll have to take a stock loss & return...

Wheel lock still on list...thank for reminding me of another problwmbut giess it could be worsr

sorry about your friend
Sandiego is bad
alot of people

Hope Charlie is Ok
thats too close

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

They had this fire completely contained by 5:00 p.M. last night and they caught the jerk that set it too. passerby got his car description and the full plate number. The perp tried to drive a CHP off Angeles Forest Hiway and they got him. Good thing none of us Actonites caught him, there probably wouldn't have been enough left to stand trial with. Arson should carry the death penalty.

On a brighter note I have my MB fixed with a new exhaust system, she passed the smog retest, but is still high on NO. She is below average on everything else. A high flow Cat may be the reason for the Higher than normal NO. But She Passed! I got my Tags and took that D**ed red sticker out of the back window at the DMV when I put the tags on.
YeeHaww!

I'm going to make an appointment with Enrique to get it tuned up shortly.

I noticed at around 80(got her to 95 a couple times this afternoon coming home) I have a vibration, that can be felt in the steering wheel, but not the shift lever. If it were motor mounts or flex joints would not the Gearshift lever transmit the vibration. (Oh! Wait, the gear selector isn't directly connected to the tranny...OOPS.)

The car sat for 2 years on new(then) Remington Extra Premium Steel belt Radials. I know tires can flat spot after setting for a year or two, I wonder if the flat spots ever work out of the tires? I also know that the wheel balance in often the culprit on these MB's. The Motor mounts are good I'm pretty sure as when it was on the dyno the motor wasn't shaking at ALL!.

Any ideas?

__________________
1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

Charlie - WOW!!! I think you are out of the clear in the fire. The FD's are really good, they are heroes. God bless 'em. I'D NEVER vote agains a pay raise for them. There are also mostly older folks(Seniors) around here, so dadly the have to come here when there is a 911 call. And they do, quick.
They are really great

TOTALLY the opposite of the scumbag arsonists. I talked about that, yesterday with some people, and it is felt that "Sympathic" arsonists (firestarters) come out of the woodwork in times like this.

And I don't KNOW (haven't checked the Penal Code) whether it carries the Death Penalty. It sure should. I can't imagine the suffering that kind of crime would cause - to families, loved ones, horses, pets, livestock, and folks' lives. I am so glad you are out of the danger zone now.

To think it was so unnecessary, - I hope the guy pays restitution, but somehow, I doubt it will happen. Disgusting

I don't know the answer about those flat spots though oin the tire. You and CS are the experts about W126ers that have sat for awhile.

I am glad you passed smog. These cars are pretty clean though the Euros like CS are dirtier on the machine cause of the euro emissions specs they were built to, and how they sit on the machine equipped with the smog equipment, even after they are federalized.

Mine is well tuned up, and while it had problems, pssing smog is never one of them, it never failed for over 11 years of taking the test. Year before last it was so clean it almost didn't even register on the machine at all.

I put on the 2008 orange tag the other day - sweet - but the license plate is about to bend over backwards from the weight of all the old stickers underneath it.

I honestly don't know about your vibration Charlie....

I am thinking wheel balance, too. I once started getting that horribly in Santa Ana (Visiting LA) and that fixed it. You are correct about the motor mounts and the flex discs. Those wulld have been my guesses, also.

I had each of them changed at around 100,000 miles, and it was time to do it. You don't want those to go. Do you have records on the car?

The motor mounts on these often go at around 50,000 miles or so - not expensive for the parts.

I have seen some really bad flex discs and never advised letting those go either.

Is there slop in the suspension? Strut rod bushings OK? How about the steering damper (steering shock) Those are only around $30 or so.... not too bad.

95 mph is fine for these cars - too bad you can't find places to do it safely and legally in California. I had mine up to 148 one morning on I 5 on the way to LA for a few minutes, it was safe, no drama. Just curious about it. They can really go fast.

Glad you are safe again. I think the worst of it is over. I hope the opposite of that is true for the guy they caught.

Jim

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

If you feel it in steering could be bushings in front end...not sure what there call but you know what I mean but have those checked...

My car sat too
I don't notice anything like that
You'll wear the corners off the rubber & it should be fine...

Had to have my collapsed motor mounts replaced
didn't seem too bad but I'm glad its fixed thanks to Enrique
that was first trip.

OOOh I hope that new accumulator fixes the hot start
The car will be close to perfect..

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Well, Because the fire crews and Quebec 1 and Quebec 2 (Dehavillid Supertankers) and the 3 Copters, they got the fire out in jig time and nothing was destroyed but the top of the little mountain where it started. Luckily there are new homes being built(pad grading done) and the FD could almost drive to the fire. Scrub brush and some pinions were all that was lost....... But it could have dealt death and destruction if it had gotten down about another 1000 feet. Then it would have come right through the canyon that wraps around behind our place. I did sleep with one eye open last night. I didn't know until this morning that the fire was out completely by 7:00 P.M. last night, Contained at 5, out by 7. Started at 2:45 P.M. FD and planes on the scene by 3:10 P.M.

Muffler guy used some of the EOM MB pipe and all the MB hangers to create my exhaust system this morning. He used a hi-flow Cat, Resonator, and Muffler, I now have only one exhaust tip but it is chrome. Pretty quiet even at 95, but especially at 70. Not really a custom job, but a good job none the less. He put in a new O2 Sensor also. I did fill up with premium Chevron w/Techron(at $3.29 a gal.). then went for a short drive to heat the cat up and then went to the smog station. PO's told me they never put regular in their MB's (they still have a 280SL (Boy I'd love to have that car!, but they are gifting their Nephew with it when he graduates Annapolis in the spring. (lucky guy!)

__________________
1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

Great News Charlie
Was thinking bout you& the horses
That was too close
You were lucky

You passed smog too

Wow its your day

My day too!

Enrique said he had time today so I went in.

I sheepishly old him what I did
breaking the TVV
mentioning the air inject valve...OOoh it was in right!

Offering him the parts I bought for his approval.
Icertainly wouldn't want them on if they weren't right

He said the wires were fine & the plugs would work

We also went over the hard warm/hot start
His thought was acumulator
So I said OK

If thats it I'm glad
It was only a $100 part
The vacumn valve was $10
Wow that was cheap
MB wanted $21
I hope he got the right part
I can't imagine how he'd get it half price
I"m not complaining just wondering...

I asked him about the airslide
He did say he noticed that but it shouldn't affect anything
Told me if I had to raie the idle it was under the lil yellow paint dot
I had read that but I;m not playing w idle!

Its idling lower now very close to the 500 so hope its
600 (spec is 600 to 750)
So not sure if he adjusted it
or its reacting to new wires & plugs or acumulator


He did all that & wires & plugs
Took 90 minutes or so.

I'm happy

He's happy
He said the car is so smooth
I guess the plugs & wires helped
Yet he hadn't driven it since I had my hands on it
With tha vac hoses dis cap & rotor
the car really did drive smooth...

I really think Enrique was surprised & impressed how smooth the car is...

Air was hot at around 4:30 & the sky hazy clouds
Car drove well home
I didn't have the seat perfect tho so mirrors bit off
I'm just glad I got home OK

I decided to put on the AC when I got home
I wanted to use it going home
but thought it best to make sure I got home as
someone said AC could lower the idle

Anyway had to figure how to get it on
Was blowing hot til I flipped a switch on top

Then cold air!!!!!
& idle inpark was fine

OOOOhhhh

I'm getting there

Actually I guess I;m there
The car started right up after sitting he said must have been 40 minutes

He may have fixed the hot start

Wow!!!

Enrique is a great mechanic
but what makes him even more special is he is a wonderful human being!!!





Oooh heres the wierd warning system
Curbstoner thought it was some sort of onstar?

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

This is great news Shadow!!! Looks like a really good day for both of you and Charlie. I had soe good news - more in a minute.

It is really great to hear that Enrique set you up all right. Sounds like you are running sweet with the car again, even the airconditioning. I guess it is essentially tuned up, with no plugs, wires, dist cap and everything -

The high idle problem is a notorious one for these cars - looks yo fixed it "as well as makes no difference"

I guess all you need to do is decide whether or not you need a timing chain and rails job - Sounds like Enrique had no time to pull the valve cover off and look under there to see what is what - maybe next time you go in?

So you see? You DID get a good deal off that curbstoner.

It is great that Enrique is that good, everyone says so. But this tears it. I have GOTTA get down there. Maybe I can do it in the next few weeks somehow. After the fire stuff has fully died down. I would like to see some of the Mercedesshop gang too if I could.

You are happy - Ernesto is happy - your car is good running now - Charlie passed smog - fire is gone - he got a new muffler - and I have a bit of good news - about the wheels

WOO HOO!

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Whenever you decide, give me a heads up and I'll make the drive over there for a mini gtg.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hi Paul,

Enrique had a 450 SLC there.
nice white car

It was still there when picked up mine after 5 so guess its spending the night....



We won't mention the yellow 300 diesel that he also was working on...
ooops

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

So you find great wheels at a great price???

got to be that...



It idled fine in park
airslides have to have higher idle as they warm up
thats the way they work
so it really wasn't a problem
thats why I didn't mention idle to him at all

It drove in spec idle range

Seems the idle has come down though w the new plugs & wires
not sure why
I wouldn't think a leaky accumulator fix if it had any affect on idle would be higher not lower
so not sure why the idle is lower
maybe the new vacumn valve!!!!
the one I broke?
Maybe its working now
Maybe it didn't worK???
Maybe its a good thing I broke it

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

And I wasn't expecting one.

Well I have news on these. Here is what happened.

Shadow, I think your comments finally pushed me over the line. I had read them and decided I don't ned those fancy and expensive chrome wheels, the brushed aluminum ones could be "good enough" for me.

Maybe not so easy to clean, but at least they would be new, will not leak air and I won't have to worry if they were chromed well or not, or more air leaks when the chrome peels off the lips, they would be goners when that happened.

So chrome out, aluminum ones are in. AND, the aluminum brushed ones will look just the same, not chromed. In stock at the same place. So I decided - I will go to the tire store, see if they can unwind the deal on the chromes and go with brushed, which the Tire Rack claims on the website are in stock.

They came out right away to meet me, a couple o hours ago, with the news:
Had called Tire rack, WHO NEVER NOTIFIED ANYONE, and per their website, now the availability date on the Chrome Wheels is DECEMBER 22!!!!

WTF???!! They NEVER called the customers (like my Tire Store ) who had pending orders in, about it. Nothing. Makes my Tire Store look bad, as they had ordered them for me. Makes TIRE RACK look real bad.

So, I sad go ahead and change the order to the brushed aluminum ones, they are IN stock!! Tire Store apologized profusely, and the guy, Luke aired up my leaky tire and said he'd get the order in right away, and they are in stock, and they ought to get there from Tire Rack quick, and with luck I could be rolling on new wheels by Saturday or Monday, even.

At this point I would not believe Tire Rack if they told me the sun would rise tomorrow or Christmas comes in December.

But I went home happy and put in a bid for another set of wheel caps, this time non chromed looking ones from the same seller on ebay that sold me the old "new" ones that matched the chromes. Another $30 down the drain for nothing, but the ebay seller is 100% on feedback and ships out really fast, which I found out when I got the first set. The auction I found, they had one going that ends tomorrow, so the timing is good.

I think it is time to get this show on the road. I have been hoping to see MR MB and some of his customers since May of last year when I joined up here, and heard from Ernesto about Enrique and his shop.

YEA baby!!

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Happy for you...

Yeah get that show on the road!

I think you made a good decision with brushed alum
alum is light too.
You don't know whats under that chrome
it peels it bubbles & pits

So let the darn things get a patina with age
They earn it!

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Wow! You are completely safe now. That is great. You can heave a huge sigh of relief! It must feel good to be safe again, like it was before this awful fire. Thecrews are great. I was wondering when they would have to start using volunteers from the Prisons to help fight the fires.

The CDF up here uses planes to fight the fires too, one of them is a supplus B17 from the war, I think it is based out of the air force base in Marysville.
I have to say, it is heartstopping to see and hear them in the sky - awesome.
I loved hearing the old warbird. They had an air show last year and I loved it.
We (attendees) got buzzed a few times by an old Navy Corsair, and it was super to see - and hear - man they are loud.

As regards the muffler system, you did well, Charlie. the thing to watch out for is the dronig you could get at around 70 mph, on the cars. You should be fine. VERY wise about using the OEM Mercedes Benz muffler hangars. I learned that lesson the hard way - 3 or 4 times in about 3000 miles!!! Never again!!

Clever idea to go for a high speed run to heat the cat up just before the smog test. You wanna pass those the FIRST time, for sure. Luckily I always have, in all my cars.

It sounds like it is decent workable system you have there, for the exhaust. Probably you will not ever have to worry about that again. I'd like to see a shot of the exhaust tips here, if you have one of those cel phone camera thingies. For the sedan, the factory look like on mine with the dual downturned tips is a good look, CS has that same kind of thing but the euro tips curve around in a different way.

Maybe sometime I will go for the Remus muffler box, with the two dual square tips. I signed up for the Remus group buy, but no quota yet - they are expensive. But I need some kind of hobby.

Good luck with it all Charlie

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)