i have posted about this topic a bit on some other E420 threads, but decided to start a new one. i won't bore you guys with the details.

my gf's cousin gave her one son her MB E420. it's an 1994 with 43,000 on the clock. he didn't want it as he already has a better and newer car and this merc has the propensity to stall from time to time.

from your awesome website, it seems it could be as easy as cleaning the throttlebody to replacing the TB and a short harness (whatever the heck that is). could also be the tandem belt power steering pump. but at this low miles, i'm thinking it's not the pump. but who knows? could, in rare cases, be a faulty computer.

what i am wondering, besides any more input on the stalling issue, is what i should i keep an eye out for when evaluating the E420?

see ya,
Robby

__________________
92 Ford Taurus SHO 5 speed
210.5 HP 196.4 LB Torque at the wheels
silver on gray with all options
ss y-pipe with high flow cats
SS UDPs
PRO M 80mm MAF
Walbro 190lph fuel pump
Tokico struts
Eibach springs
sho shop motor mounts
edelbrock RPM
shonut aluminum sub frame bushings
26mm rear sway bar
sho shop sub frame connectors
Yokohama AVS ES100 225/55/ZR16 tires

An E420 is a wonderfull car.
Check for:
Oil leaks on the side of engine.
Rattling timing chain.
A/C system.
Leaky power steering pump.
Good luck
jackD

Jack summed it up pretty nicely.

The only thing I've noticed that is a chronic problem with the E420 is power steering pump leaks. The engine bay is pretty tight with the V8, and the extra heat bakes the seals in the pump.

Most people just rebuild the pump and replace the seals should the leak get bad.

I think the leaks that Jack mentions on the side of the engine are valve cover gasket leaks, but then again, any V8 will eventually need valve cover gaskets.

The a/c issue seems to be with leaky evaporator cores, but the problem was much more prevalant in the early 300E's in the late 1980's.

There are other issues with the a/c, primarily with vacum actuated flaps that are located behind the dash, but you'd probably replace these when the dash is removed to get to the evaporator.

Last, Mercedes V8's seem to be sensitive to timing chain wear, so inspect at 100,000 miles, along with the timing chain tensioner.

__________________
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".