I might be looking at a 71 280S tomorrow. Two known problems with it. It's blowing a lot of smoke and #6 cylinder is fouling the plug. Could this #6 cylinder be sufficient on it's own to cause the smoking or is it more likely to be the entire motor. Owner thinks maybe a stuck or broken ring. Second. The temperature gauge indicates the car is overheating. IE it get's right up to the redline, but apparently when the owner uses a laser thermometer on it it indicates that it's not. Nor apparently does it physically boil over. The car apparently sat for 12 years before this guy tried ressurrecting it. Could the sender unit be bad? Or more likely the something else?

He says he put a new water pump in, new lower hose and new belts.

My first Mercedes was a 71 280S and I'd love another. But my previous one didn't have engine issues so I'm looking for any guidance I might find before going to look at it.

He only want's 700 but I'm not about to jump into a costly nightmare.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

There is a used motor or at least a valve job in that car's future.

The coolant isn't circulating well in the head from age and crap build up, back flushing may help it significantly, maybe not.

The fouled plug could easily be bad guides, poor seals, bad head gasket or all of the above.

As long as the price is right and you have no qualms about the engine work, buy a car (cheap).

Swapping out the motor for a used one is straight forward. Doing a valve job is more complicated but doable.

-CTH

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