weekend Wrenching

[Skid Row Joe]

When this long awaited update and upgrading of the SL model was first introduced in the United States, way back 30 some years ago, I test drove a new Signal Red SL with the Black convertible top down. It was a memorable short test drive of 3 to 4 miles in the city. I was curious if it felt like driving a sports car. It didn't. That's was the beginning of understanding that the SLs of the day were personal luxury two-seaters, but looked very sporty. 55 years ago, I was treated to a ride in a near new 280SL. That's when I fell in love with the car model. My folks got to borrow one from the Chrysler Dodge Mercedes-Benz Dealer in Grand Island, Nebraska. While their '69 220D was in for service where we bought new Mercedes-Benz' 220/240s from in the '60s through the 1970s. My Mom especially loved the 280SLs.
The first company that I worked for out of college in the '70s, the owner of the company drove a 280SL and a Cadillac Fleetwood.

[alabbasi]

This weekend will be SL appreciation weekend. I had to replace the starter battery on the SL55. I did this before, what I thought was not so long ago but it turned out to be around 2016 or 2017 from the date code on the battery. I remember the battery costing around $100-$120. This time around it was more than double so go figure.

I also did a complete brake flush using my vacuum pump and an oil change with Mobil 1 15W50 on the 91 300SL. The old oil did not look too bad but was super thin. I suspect that the PO used 20 or 30 weight oil.

Next will be the door locks and trying to figure out why the climate control panel is not powering up. It's not a huge deal as the weather just started to cool off in Texas, but it would be nice to have some heat.





This is going to be a brake flush weekend. I still need to do the 98 SL500 and the 05 SL55 (Maybe the CL too),

[Skid Row Joe]

You've basically bought a "project." There's no ending until you start DD it.

30+ year old cars are a special category. They NEVER A) stop costing you breakdown fails and MONEY. B) See A! Unfortunately, that's the way it is, historically.

Originally Posted by alabbasi

This weekend will be SL appreciation weekend. I had to replace the starter battery on the SL55. I did this before, what I thought was not so long ago but it turned out to be around 2016 or 2017 from the date code on the battery. I remember the battery costing around $100-$120. This time around it was more than double so go figure.

I also did a complete brake flush using my vacuum pump and an oil change with Mobil 1 15W50 on the 91 300SL. The old oil did not look too bad but was super thin. I suspect that the PO used 20 or 30 weight oil.

Next will be the door locks and trying to figure out why the climate control panel is not powering up. It's not a huge deal as the weather just started to cool off in Texas, but it would be nice to have some heat.





This is going to be a brake flush weekend. I still need to do the 98 SL500 and the 05 SL55 (Maybe the CL too),

[alabbasi]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

You've basically bought a "project." There's no ending until you start DD it.

30+ year old cars are a special category. They NEVER A) stop costing you breakdown fails and MONEY. B) See A! Unfortunately, that's the way it is, historically.

That's fine. It's the tinkering I enjoy more than anything.

[Skid Row Joe]

That's whatcha got alright.