My 1988 300E 5-speed has been parked in my garage for a couple of years now. It was parked in good shape, needed to have new brakes, and a new cam shaft as it was getting a bit worn. I'm going to be bringing it back from the 'dead.' My plan is to change all the fluids and filters (oil/filter, coolant, brake fluid, fuel filter, air filter), drain the fuel tank, new battery, inspect wiring harness, new brakes, new tires...and what ever else comes up...

Anyways, my question is changing the oil...I don't want to start the engine to get the oil warm and pull crap through it. I bought a Mityvac 7300 that I plan to use on all my cars. Is this a good idea or should I let the fluid drain the old fashion way? Warm oil or not? It may be wise for me to change the oil a second time after so many miles too.

Thanks,
Shaun

The Mityvac won't do the job with the oil cold. Pour a quart of kerosene/WD40/Seafoam or whatever oil thinner you want to use. Let it sit overnight and then drain though the drain plug. Let it drip for a few hours, change the filter, add fresh oil and you're good to go on that part.

I would probably drain it the normal way, and let it drip for a long time. And before restarting it, squirting a bit of mystery oil into each cylinder through the spark plug holes may not be a bad idea....to lube things up prior to starting.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

maybe try to turn the engine over by hand prior to starting too.

I sure am glad that I opened this thread. I also have an 88 300E Five Speed in the garage, but it's only been setting there for a few months. IMHO it will ALWAYS be a worthwhile venture to put one of these jewels on the road regardless of its condition.

Mine is in pretty darn good mechanical condition, but cosmetically it's lacking.

As far as the oil change goes, change it and the filter cold and use a diesel oil such as Chevron Delo 400 or Mobil Delvac. Then after you've driven it a few hundred miles, drain it when the engine is at operating temperature. These oils not only have the zinc additive needed by this engine with no roller cam followers, but also this oil has lots of detergent for soot dispersal which will clean out your set up engine. Chevron Delo 400 15W40 has brought my 300E to the half million kilometer badge mark.

Keep us posted on the project and let me know where to show up for the Manual Transmission 300E club meeting.

I know...I feel like I left my dog outside...by not driving it...got married, left the car in my Dads garage. It was in perfect cosmetic and really good mechanical shape...then I saw him using it (my car) as a place to set his coffee mug and I about went ape ****. I gave up after this continued. Time to bring it back though. I love that car.

__________________
1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E 5 Speed ~200k
1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (sold)
2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG ~230k - FOR SALE
2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro - Wife's Car
2007 GL450

If any of you dont feel like bothering with all that oil changing business, let me know, id be happy to take that 5 speed and put it to good use!

Seriously, if you want to sell it, let me know. Im in the market for a 300e 5speed

__________________
Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

The 5 speed was/is a great car. I'm sure Larry can attest - but to me the only shortcoming of the 5 speed is the far shift throw that the shifter has...I looked for a short shifter many years ago and couldn't find one...at least in the US.

I'm doubtful I'll ever sell it. It's a shame that many don't put much extra value in the 5 speed.

__________________
1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E 5 Speed ~200k
1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (sold)
2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG ~230k - FOR SALE
2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro - Wife's Car
2007 GL450

I'd love a 300E 5-speed....I like our 300E auto....so the 5-speed would be amazing!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I have read and posted in a zillion threads regarding MB manual transmission shifters. I personally have never had ANY complaints in ANY way regarding MB manual transmissions, shifters, clutches or any of it. They are fabulous as far as I'm concerned.

Even though I don't drive mine very much and it is not in a pretty state, I currently have no intentions of getting rid of it for any reason. The only way I would even consider it would be in the event that I found a really pristine 124 car to which I could transplant the manual transmission.

Again, mine is in pretty darn good mechanical condition, but the paint doesn't look good, windshield cracked, interior getting just a little shabby, still some less than perfect repair from a deer strike etc. All that said, the car is still a kick in the A$$ to drive.

How much would it take to take that car off your hands? .....Seriously.

I'm in Chicago so...you know.

__________________
Allen Kroliczek
Oak Grove Autosport | Oak Grove Autosport
01 G500, 82 300TD, quite a few more.....

When pricing an 88 300E manual transmission car, one must keep in mind the laws of supply and demand. Most anyone who drives one wants to have it (demand) and only a little over 300 were brought to the US by MBUSA (supply.) In 86 they brought 700 of them over.

Two years of not running and parked, I would concern the head gasket will leak, the water pump will leak, the thermostat will stuck close. for me I would put in new oil and run it for a few hour see what happen. hope it help cheer.

No, if it was running when it was stored indoors, it will be fine with fresh fluids and a little TLC. I'v let cars set up for long periods and have lots of experience taking them out of moth balls.

When they are left out in the elements, that's a different story. If doesn't change the effect on the mechanicals, but cosmetically the elements will take them down.

Haven't had much time to work on my 300E. I started with rolling the car out to pressure wash to clean it a bit. I've poured a quart of Marvel down the crankcase, as well as a quart of oil to just get fluids running down. I will be hopefully getting to drain the fluids this week/weekend.

Any thoughts on cleaning the fuel system out (mityvac the tank?)?

__________________
1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E 5 Speed ~200k
1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (sold)
2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG ~230k - FOR SALE
2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro - Wife's Car
2007 GL450