Wow
70 at 2500

I finally had a good drive the last time I was out
Will have to see Enrique again
but might wait out the fires
I hate to have the car breathe all that crap
I'm not too thrilled with it either



I think at around 40 mine was at 1200 rpm...

OOOh

I had a friend call me from NY
Worried about the hellous visions they were seeing

I told them of my new benz

I do lovemy benz

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Jim B.
WOW that guy is one fine photographer.

I have an appointment at a local Muffler shop to get the new Exhaust system, All I know about it is that is a larger pipe and less restricted Resonator and muffler and a Cat. He said it'll breathe better and have a throatier sound. Can't opt for the Remus setup this time around. I got my new(to me) CCU unit today and installed it,( it is working like it should, Got heat and it's coming from the vents it should, got vent air and it's coming from the vents it should, haven't tried the AC yet, but no blower. I'm going to check out my Aux water pump and the blower motor. When I first got the car the Blower worked once in AC, but was intermittent and just came on once. The original CCU was fried. I don't want to fry this one. Also I'm looking to see how much has to come apart to replace the Heater/AC relay. I found it behind the Glove box, but don't know how to remove it. I also don't know how to take out the bolster under the dash to get to the parts I have to pull to get to the Relay. I know I can bypass the Aux pump if it's bad or put a fuse in the hot side to the pump. I hope i don't have to replace the blower motor.

I have learned so much from this forum and the DIY articles.

When you decide to come down to Enrique's, we'll all try to get together at least one day for lunch or dinner. I'm about 50-60 miles from his shop I'm guessing. I'm 27 miles from the 5-14 split (north on the 14).

CS,
Hang in there this fire will pass. Hopefully it'll burn towards the ocean(westerly) for the whole time. The wind is supposed to go away by Wednesday, and it seems to have died down now.

__________________
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.

The exhaust system your getting sounds fine
Bigger pipes less restrictive
mufflet cat o2 sensor
your getting your $$$
Throaty is good too...

My benz is quiet
just the turbine sound of the fuel dist sometimes

Its a 380 Sec
Good car & your learning alot

I guess I am too
enjoying my first benz

Charlie your not that far
cut me in for the mini mng too///


I'm in the concrete suburbs
Its an apt house

I got my half sq ft of jewelry the bird & the benz
We'll just test out the autobon if we have to outrun the flames...

I thrive on adverity
I haven't even gone into hyperthrive
I'll rise to the occassion
Meek til the call to arm myself arises
then ther sky is the limit

Gosh the fire inspector sounds like hes on drugs!

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Charlie:

GREAT!!!! Maybe a mini GTG at Enrique's shop!!! LOL. Been looking forward to this.

Have your muffler shop assure you that with the aftermarket tips and resonator, that there will be no droning sound at around 70 mph or higher.

No problem if REMUS isn't in the cards this time around. Those are the best.
The REMUS and all the other choices - Magnaflow, AMG, Sebring, Flowmaster etc are discussed in the REMUS exhaust thread on the W126 section at www.benzworld.com in the last few weeks.

Guy called NuR-SPEC in Mesa, Arizona, is a custom exhaust specialist who has a 500SEL euro, and lays out in great detail, how to set up the very best bang for the buck, in these.

Read what he said before you go to the shop, so you will be educated.

To what he said, I would have little to add, except the best deal seems to be the Magnaflow box. It is like a budget Remus, and the best bang for the buck, surprisingly affordable.

Choose the chromed tips carefully, and get the style that looks and works best for you, and how they are positioned.

One thing I learned the REAL hard way, is get good muffler hangars. I didn't, got the cheapie O ring or donut shaped ones from Autozone, for $2 or $3 each, and the damn things failed 3 times in 3,000 miles, twice castrophically, and dragged on the ground, once it took a flatbed tow into town from 20 miles away.

Get only the square factory OEM Mercedes-Benz muffler hangars, or have your shop get them, they only cost about $5 each, and they are worth their weight in gold. Settle for nothing less.

I hope you and CS are OK from those awful fires, people all over Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, and San Diego are all getting weepy eyed, and smoke and grit in their eyes.

It looks like the end of the world sometimes. BENZ LGB emailed me, he is OK in Ventura Country, there was a hot spot on the ridge above his home but they got it stamped it out before it got worse. His son was camping near Malibu, but the park rangers, when he got ahold of them this morning, was able to assure him that the boy was all right.

The PCH is totally off limits, and 250,000 people had to be evacuated from the fire areas in So Cal it said. Let's hope it gets under control soon and nobody perishes.

You and CS take it easy...

__________________
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)

Night

Been putting papers n things together
just in case
but I should be fine

I got my MB hangars
about $5 each...

They are beauties!

Maybeif its not too smoky
& Enrique is bored
I'll take the benz for its wires plugs & TVV

Still got to figure out that green yellwo valve too
it may be backwards...

Alot of people are missing there beds
Let's hope we get these wires out wo anyone missing loved ones...

Night

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Well J-B Weld KwiK just saved me a little money! My left front headlight bezel was broken ans so was the clips on the left turnsignal body. The Screw points on the bezel were broken and two locator pins were broken as well. (it may have happened at the car wash Sat). The breaks are fresh and I didn't notice the bezel trying to escape before either. Took it appart, retrieved the broken pins and screw mtg.s(3 out of 4). and got out the old J_B and mixed up a batch and "Welded" them back together. then noticed the turn light body was loose too due to broken tabs. Found one tab and had to make another, but with good old J_B I got it repaired also.

New headlight bezel is 89 bucks BIN on Ebay and I haven't priced the turn signal body.

I think it'll hold till I get Euro Lights for it.

Jim B.
Sounds like a plan!
I read all the Remus posts last night. I'll wait till the next go round and maybe until I get a 500SEC.

I am more interested in better flow than sounding like my Dodge Truck @ 70 for sure, So I'll tell that to the guy in the morning. It will be a welded system following the shape of the original pipe, CAT, resonator and muffler don't know if it is a dual tail pipe model muffler or not. I want it up and out of the way like the original too. My 380 SE isn't a racer, nor will it ever be, but better breathing and maybe a tick more horsepower can't hurt.
Those guys in the Remus posts didn't even mention my age old favorite mufflers....Walker Continentals. Bought a few sets of those in my youth.
Hey the guy has a great selection of Rice Rocket Mufflers in stock. How about one of those chromed biggie's with the 4" tail pipe, jammed up under the left tail of the MB?............Just kidding.

Found a 86 SEC right here in Acton, but the lady doesn't want to sell.
She also has a 560SEL?? which is beautiful.
There is a super nice black 450SEL here in town too. Haven't talked to that owner yet, but is is one slick puppy.

__________________
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.

Think your getting a good buy
& then you won't have to worry about losing anything & starting a fire.

Do you have a plastic 2 toned valve near your ICV to the right of it?
should be on the quad hooked up into intake
well if its like my crazy set up.

Can you tell me if you have the darker color closer to the inside of the engine?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/tech-help/48844d1193093537-possible-air-inject-valve-backwards-airinjectvalvedirection.jpg

I have been told mine is backwards

thats how I found it but don't want to muck around with it without really being sure

I guess I can wait til I go to see Enrique
He's Ok
I checked in today & he might have time tomorrow
I'll have to call again...



Its not bad here
Thought air would be worse
guess its blowing out to sea...

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Nope I do not have the same set up that you do. There should be a flow arrow on the valve. it is a one way valve allows vacuum in and through,and doesn't let it go back. Easy to tell, remove it and Blow into one end if it allows passage of air that is the end TOWARDS the manifold connection (not the air slide side, but the manifold side). All vacuum comes from the manifold side. Hope this helps.

__________________
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.

Be careful Charlie
that fire is near Acton now

Hope your not in its path

I cleaned the exteriorof valve when I reinstalled it but didn't see any arrow

It may be backwards as from what I have been able to see
it seems the color coded valves run from light color to dark.

Brisbane Merc says its backwards
according to the one he has but wanted to make sure

Still I dodn't know if I want to take off the aor assembly to correct that
but still have to get it to the shop so I'll leave it for the PRO
just in case he has time tomorrow & I want to make sure it works
All I know is its working the way it is so it doesn't seem to mind that its backwards...but for now better leave good enough alone

Still it worked off so whatever was connected to that line was compromised maybe even more than it now is when its sort of blocked
Just wonder how it affects the operation

Thanks...
curious to see if it affects the hot start though but I think that set up is more for the

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Yep the Acton Fire is about a mile east of me, but they put 3 twin prop takers and 3 helicopters and about eleventy -12 Firetrucks and crews on it and had the worst of it knocked down 2 hours before Channel 4 reported that the fire had just started. There will be crews there all night I expect. Wind has shifted to the south and died way down, the moon is very clear and that is the direction from me that the fire is. I was ready to throw the dog and cat in the car, grab all my cowboy guns and what clothes I could and skedattle out of here, but it's pretty much under control, it is a mountain top and due to grading for new homes, the fire crews could drive right to the flames. The client that gave me the MB offered her place for the horses that are here, but we didn't need the transport. I'll sleep with one eye open tonight though. I watched the tankers and the Choppers dump their loads of water. I have never seen them drop water up hill but that is what they were doing. Those pilots and the fire crews have my utmost respect. Also there was a bejillion pick'em up trucks with horse trailers parked all over to evac the horses.

SC,
Just tell Enrique what it's doing and he might know just what to do, I just bet he loves working on Euro Coupes. I know I would......and will when/if I get one.

__________________
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.

You got horses, Charllie

Wow!
Thats really nice

I could have them in australia
so nice you don't live too far from the city
Top of the Mountain

Sounds nice

But Stay safe!

A mile in that area is much to close for comfort.
Hope you, the benz & the horses r ok tonight

I might have moved them as the FD doesn't work as good after sundoiwn...

Hope things stay safe 4U

__________________


83 500 SEC Euro 198K

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.