Hi,
Two months ago I bought a 1973 280 SEL. I was wondering if anyone had an owners manual they wanted to sell or sell a copy of?
Now on to my mechanical problem. Everything was just fine until Wednesday when the engine started "sputtering" (don't know how else to describe it) and almost stalled every few seconds. I was lucky to make it up the hill home. I hope it's just a clogged fuel filter. I really wish they would have let girls take shop class in my high school because then I would know where to look for the fuel filter! Anyway, I am looking for a good honest mechanic in Marin County, CA. A mechanic who can also replce my heater cotrol knobs which, if i understand correctly, is a big hassle.
Any help or advice would be appreciated!
star
2-27-01
Thanks for all the info!
I tried to take the car out today but it didn't want to go. I left it with the "European" mechanic near my house. We'll see what he comes up with.
I recently bought the owners manual and the shop manual so hopefully someday I'll be able to figure some things out on my own.

[Edited by star on 03-05-2001 at 08:32 PM]

Cant recomend any shops in your area but you can check out http://www.tmcpubl.com// for your owners manual.

Star,

Check the "Good MB Shops" forum, see if any from Marin County are listed.

Your fuel filter is located directly behind the rear axle on the left side. Big filter, the fuel pump is there too, covered by a shield. If you do the change yourself, be careful the system should be under pressure and some fuel will spray. Wear eye protection and DO NOT use incandescent lighting.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

And if your shop class was in Germany, it MIGHT have covered MBs. Here in the US, you're on an equal footing with all the other newbies to the benz world.

I'm sending you the same zip file I send everybody else with several pages scanned from the relevant manuals that explains the EFI system in your car.

This forum is exactly the right place to ask questions, since most of us with the EFI systems have learned this the hard way too.

-CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Oh, and if you don't already have one, you really want the 108-109-111-113 shop manual. PartsShop might sell it, check with them. You can get a copy on ebay and/or from mercedes directly (1-800-for-merc). Check around before you go for the high priced deals that show up on ebay.

-CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

It amazes me sometimes. There was a repair book on ebay for W124 cars that I wanted. Bidding went over $40, and I found it on Amazon.com for less than $30... I emailed all of the losing bidders... Owners manuals are sometimes available directly from Mercedes cheaper than they go for on ebay.

__________________
Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

Is it fixed?

Call a fellow named Devin at Hi Tech Motor in San Rafael. Also, Tillman German Automotive in Santa Rosa does excellent work on my 911 and 300D; they also do Audi stuff.

Stay away from RAB Motors; they botched a tranny install on my diesel.

Carl