Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Vintage Mercedes Forum

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-25-2008, 01:11 AM
Avid wrench/Mercedes newb
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 47
'72 280SE: First drive...I've got my work cut out for me.

I bought this 280SE as a bit of a pig in a poke. The ignition was allegedly stuck, so I couldn't really evaluate its mechanical condition. Cosmetically, it's pretty nice, so it seemed worth the risk.

I ordered a new key and tumbler, and the key came in Friday. The tumbler is coming from Germany. The new key a) looks *nothing* like the key that came with the car, and b) works perfectly. The ignition switch is fine.

I jumpstarted the car, and it fired up quite willingly, and began producing prodigous amounts of blue smoke. I let it warm up, and then ventured a drive around the block. Here's what I'm up against, so far:

1. Blue Smoke, and lots of it. After I drove it around the block, it was somewhat diminshed, but it was back to all its mosquito-fogger glory when I restarted the motor a few minutes later. I'll do a compression and (if I can borrow the tools), a leak-down test, but right now I'm suspecting valve seals. I'm tempted to replace those on spec. $20 in parts and a day tinkering on the Merc doesn't seem a bad thing.

2. High idle. Idle speed in park/neutral is high, seems like 1500rpm or so. Loading it up in gear brings the idle back down to something reasonable.

3. Transmission slips, badly. More on that here: '72 280SE: Which transmission do I have?

On the plus side, it rides nicely and the AC blows cold.

Thanks for the pointers so far, I'm sure I'll be back for more!

-Zandr

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-25-2008, 10:15 AM
Avid wrench/Mercedes newb
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 47
Something I forgot last night that may bear on the blue smoke:

The oil pressure gauge pinned at 45 immediately, and stayed there even after the coolant came up to temperature.

Stuck pressure relief valve?

-Zandr
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-25-2008, 01:29 PM
300SDog's Avatar
gimme a low-tech 240D
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: central ky
Posts: 3,602
Does the smoke quit when it's warmed up? If not then probly valve guides, complete valve job. On the 6cyl thats regular maintenance at 135 - 150k miles when folks of the disposable vehicle cult usually get rid of em instaed of doin the work and pulling another 150k miles outa the engine. And it aint unusual to find one w/ oil pressure pegged at idle. Pullin the cyl head for valve work aint difficult, one man can heft the alloy cyl head.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-25-2008, 01:40 PM
Avid wrench/Mercedes newb
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by 300SDog View Post
Does the smoke quit when it's warmed up? If not then probly valve guides, complete valve job.
Not completely, but it's much better. It goes from mosquito-fogger to hmmm, there's some blue smoke.

Quote:
On the 6cyl thats regular maintenance at 135 - 150k miles when folks of the disposable vehicle cult usually get rid of em instaed of doin the work and pulling another 150k miles outa the engine.
So it's a little early (if the actual mileage is 105k), or a little late (if it's 205k).

So, not a big deal. Any recommendations for getting the head redone in the SF Bay Area? Cost estimate?

Thanks!

-Zandr
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-25-2008, 03:49 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 504
Transmission modulator

When this fails, engine vacuum will transport tranny oil to the Intake manifold.
__________________
1970 280S M130 engine- good runner
1971 250 M130 engine- #2 rod bearing, gone
1971 280SE (blown engine,parts car)
1977 German 280S W116-only 33 years old
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-26-2008, 04:34 PM
meltedpanda's Avatar
Certified Benzaholic
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central Ky
Posts: 6,265
Dog is right on valve seals and lets hope the sleeve stays in place. Pretty common, specially if they have been sitting, seals are not a bad job to do. If the smoke blows everytime you start , you cna be pretty sure that is the case, could always be rings, but doubt it at the mileage unless abused. Tranny may simply need a good flush and filter, steady oil pressure is a good thing
Good luck
__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-26-2008, 04:37 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 5,358
Not saying the modulator isn't bad but tranny fluid smoke is white, not blue.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-26-2008, 05:08 PM
300SDog's Avatar
gimme a low-tech 240D
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: central ky
Posts: 3,602
Quote:
Originally Posted by n6mod View Post
Not completely, but it's much better. It goes from mosquito-fogger to hmmm, there's some blue smoke.

So it's a little early (if the actual mileage is 105k), or a little late (if it's 205k).

So, not a big deal. Any recommendations for getting the head redone in the SF Bay Area? Cost estimate?

Thanks!

-Zandr
Critical question is how long mosquito fogger driven with bad seals? And 105k miles aint so soon considering 30yr factor antient rubber seals.

Chain of events is this:
wornout seals (untreated) -> wornout guides (untreated) -> rounded valve seats = complete cyl head valve job

Techs and do-it-yerselfers like meltedpanda building himself w115 coupla yrs ago can swap out seals without pullin the cyl head, 4-6 hrs labor. At the same time check valve guides for wiggle too.

Specialist shop forum lists best techs in SFBay area. Look for the oldest MB tech you can find, hopefully a shop with buncha 108's, 115's etc in the yard.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-27-2008, 03:22 PM
Avid wrench/Mercedes newb
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by 300SDog View Post
Critical question is how long mosquito fogger driven with bad seals? And 105k miles aint so soon considering 30yr factor antient rubber seals.
I doubt it was driven for long like that. The guy I bought it from basically only drove it a few times, and if it was smoking like that when he got it, he'd have said something.

OK, seals it is. It can't hurt, and it's only $20 and a nice day getting to know the Benz.

Thanks everyone!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-27-2008, 04:14 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Florida / N.H.
Posts: 8,804
Also..
Check the booster for fluid..commonly overlooked .
The rear master seal leaks and the fluid winds up in the booster canister..it then gets suckled into the intake and burns.

__________________
A Dalton
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page