Brake Master Cylinder Question (W114/115) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

suiteR · #1 06-23-2003, 11:17 AM

Recently I drive my W114 more, and also learn more about each component of various system.
I realized that after a continuous uphill, winding roads trip, say for 4-5 minutes, the brake starts to fail.
I meant, when I press the brake pedal, it dropped to the floor and could barely stop the heavy car. I also try this... once I found the pedal dropping to the floor, I released and press again, it feels FIRM again and seems working better.

I can only imagine since the exhaust header is so close to the master cylinder (mine's right-steering version), is it because my "start-to-fail" m/cylinder's performance is probably affected by heat in the surrounding??

Or is it totally not related to the m/cylinder?

Hoping to learn more advice!
Tks!

PaVarrieur · #2 06-23-2003, 12:41 PM

Your master cylinder needs a rebuild. If you have not done this before, buy a rebuilt master. If you are inexperienced in Brake Bleeding, have it done by professionals. Stop driving the car, pumping the brakes will eventually not stop you in time.
If you are experienced in brake rebuild work, make sure that you use DOT 4 Brake Fluid, as DOT 3 tends to wear out the natural rubber componants that most European brake systems are comprised of.

suiteR · #3 06-23-2003, 02:14 PM

Thanks!
I guess I will replace the brake master cylinder first as the OEM parts cost about USD50.- And...my friend can help me bleeding air from the system.
Tks again for the advice!

joshhol · #4 06-23-2003, 04:58 PM

wow, your lucky suiteR, my OEM master cylinder is $400 for the 220S.

#5 06-23-2003, 07:15 PM

ah, I have the same problem. I was told that a brake fluid change could also fix the problem.

suiteR · #6 06-23-2003, 09:20 PM

I guess I am lucky 'coz OEM or genuine MB parts in HK are generally affordable/economical.
Last month, I broke the tri-star on top of the grille of my W114.
I ordered it , genuine MB parts, it came in about 10 days, only cost me USD80.- I think it makes sense!

ckbenz · #7 06-23-2003, 11:07 PM

well, i broke my badge on the grille too 2 months ago(115) and i cant find a replacement for it! after searching for a month or so, i found one for RM 80, around 40 hk dollars! but i still think that is a bit expensive so i pass the offer. i am planning to go my hometown,ipoh city where i heard is more easily to find spare parts for these old cars. (many 115 still serving as taxi there)

i've been to hong kong many times but i don't see much of old mercedes on the road! i think your 114 model must be very rare now because i dont even see 123 model around anymore!
on the other hand, i think there is around 6 benzes out of 10 cars on busy hong kong street, many of them new s-classes and e- classes! at least that's my impression of hong kong!

but one thing good is that i think you guys can get cheap used car compare to malaysia, my toyota corolla 1.8 might cost a used e-class there in hk!

suiteR · #8 06-24-2003, 02:18 PM

ckbenz, u are quite right, HK people tend to forget about classic Mercedes fast. All they do is to dump $$$ to chase the new models. Say for the W123, they are great cars, and very durable, reliable too! But people already think W123 is old and should be junk. My friend trashed a '84 200 (engine, tranny, A/C perfect) last month, the junkyard gave him back USD330.- for the whole car.
I should visit your country sometimes this year, perhaps do search for old car's spares. BTW, are u driving right-hand steering or left?

ckbenz · #9 06-24-2003, 10:09 PM

well, malaysia is a ex commonwealth country, which means the car registered here are all right handed! is relatively easy to find spare parts here and i think you have to bargain with the garage to get reasonable price in kl. unless you plan to visit places like ipoh or mallacca where many old cars are still around the blocks! another alternative is you find someone who runs a junkyard and then you will find really good deal for parts. i am not sure about that as i heard from my dad!

i think the 123 model is a real nice car too, i think hong kong people should appreciate it more as hk cars tend to have lesser mileage thus might be the best preserved example in asia region! and i believe zung fu motor back then surely import full spec model in to the shore of hk. right?

is a pity people tend to forget about these cars and for 330 us dollars, i would keep the car and save some rounds of golf in guang zhuo!

as for singapore, i cant comment much about the law there but there is still some pretty good condition w123 200 running down the ERP expressway! this model might be the most common chrome bumper left on the road of singapore! i never see a w116 s class or w114/115 model on the road ( i vsit singapore at least once per year

) but i think there is a growing trend on the shore of singapore, people like to put AMG wheels, clear indicators and white bulb, maybe the one of PIAA extreme force or something similar. not the one of xenon!

nachi11744 · #10 06-24-2003, 10:18 PM

Hello,
Lots of old cars in Malaysia, but if it is an old Mercedes, the owner usually thinks the car is worth it's weight in gold. A 1969 W108 advertised for $M86,000(USD $21,000), described as *immaculate*(I have no comment).

I looked at a W113 250SL, asking price$M230,000(USD $57,000) described as *restored*, yeah right, a new coat of (incorrect)strawberry red paint, an ugly fawn leather interior. Crease at inner headlite surround missing, incorrect 230SL ip, car will not start for test drive(seized fuel pump),groaning suspension(not been greased for umpteen years!)and seized rear brake calipers(could not push it into the sunlight for a closer inspection!). No problem boss, tommorrow we will have it running. That was two months ago.

Many cars have suffered what I can only describe as a *artistic restoration* where junkyard parts are used to tart up a car for sale at an inflated price. I have even found a M130 engine in 280SL with carbs and pancake airfilters.
Two W107 cars I looked at where all messed up, a 380SL had a M103 300SE engine and a 450SL had a M110 carb engine!!
The *best* was a W112 300SE with a OM617 diesel and steel springs, owner wants *only* $M 35,000(US $9,000). I spent the next three days laughing.

If I follow the price trend here, my W115 200 is worth at least $M 20,000(USD $5,000) as it has what amounts to a new carb,new headlamps, redone interior, rebuilt radiator, rebuilt brakes, rebuilt fuel lines etc.,rebuilt engine, correct size tyres, the list goes on and on. The faded white paint lets it down, but I am not going for any concours anytime soon, so...........

It is relatively easy to hoodwink the average *classic car* buyer as most of them have no idea what the cars looked like when new, all they have seen is 4x6 pictures in a magazine.

As for the cars being scrapped in HK, all wind up in Malaysian junkyards, I had a look at five W123s last month from HK, two 240ds, a 250, 230E and 200. All arrived as *half cuts* and were snapped up in a few days by workshops and a few guys from South Thailand. I was keen to buy a 3.69 diff from a 240D to replace my 200's 3.92 unit, but all the parts were gone before I had enough cash!!!! OM616, 617 and any M115 or M102 engines tend to fly out of the junkyards as well.

Just my 0.2 cents.
Have a good week.