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 05-29-2004, 06:11 PM
younggun85's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Minnesooota
Posts: 43
a few mechanical questions

I am in the process of doing some needed repairs on my '72 280SE 2.8L. It has had some problems since I bought it in August. The first is the alternator, after leaving the dome light on all night long I had fried the battery, then when I put the battery back after charging it I put in backwards, and fried the alternator. Does anyone know if a new replacement is available at a good price or if I can replace it with an alternator from another car? Second of all I have problems with the fuel delivery. I beleive that there is just a lot of clogging, and I intended on running some cleaner through the gas except. It decided not to start one day in March so I need to pull the injectors and clean them. Can anybody help me out by email some info from their manual or help me to locate a paper one of my own. Lastly I need to locate a rear window gasket, after my back window was broken out I don't know what happened to it. Any help would be appreciated. I just want to drive my car again.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-29-2004, 06:48 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Gainesboro, TN
Posts: 176
I have a manual that has on th' cover:

Service Manual
Passenger Cars Starting 1968
Series 108 . 109 . 111 . 113
Maintenance, Tuning, Unit Replacement

It's a Mercedes-Benz Shop Manual with blue cover and about 2" thick

Bought it thinking it might help me on my '72 280se 4.5 but there is little covering my car in it that I can find. Anyone want it for $25.00 plus what it cost me to ship it - gimme a holler:

trontek@twlakes.net/931 268 9209
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-29-2004, 08:53 PM
MikeTangas's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 4,430
Actually, about the only thing that book doesn't cover on a 4.5 is the engine. That takes a separate M117 manual. That book will suit the original poster to a tee.

As long as the alternator is rebuildable FastLane (at the top of this page) has the proper alternator for your car. I bought a replacement for my 4.5 last year, cost about $150 I think.
__________________
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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-30-2004, 10:53 PM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
I grabbed an alt at the junkyard a while back for an eBay auction but, after most of my Benz stuff didn't sell, I never put it on.

It isn't new and shiny but it works (tested it on my car). $25 plus shipping takes it, if you want. If you want to see a pic I'll post one tomorrow.
__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-31-2004, 01:18 AM
cth350's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 4,354
take a photo of the rear of the alternator. There are at least three variations of how the wiring plugs in. Also there are mounting bracket differences.

But as you can see, alternators, used, are easily available.

For your injector problem, be sure to replace the fuel filter, and it would be worth while to check the hose from take to the electric fuel pump to see if it's clogged with rust. If the tank is full of gasoline, you can clamp the hose with little clamps available from autozone for about 6$.

As for the other fellow's 4.5 book issue, you'll find the 280se 3.5 & 4.5 cars to be identical in every respect except the motor. And the motors are basically identical except for the wiring to the throttle and measurement of a few parts (like more links in the timing chain because the blocks are few mm longer, or the intake manifold being a bit wider for the same reason). Just add the 4.5 (cast iron M117) book to your collection.

-CTH
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-31-2004, 03:55 AM
wbain5280's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Northern Va.
Posts: 3,386
Re: a few mechanical questions

Quote:
Originally posted by younggun85
I am in the process of doing some needed repairs on my '72 280SE 2.8L. It has had some problems since I bought it in August. The first is the alternator, after leaving the dome light on all night long I had fried the battery, then when I put the battery back after charging it I put in backwards, and fried the alternator. Does anyone know if a new replacement is available at a good price or if I can replace it with an alternator from another car?

Second of all I have problems with the fuel delivery. I beleive that there is just a lot of clogging, and I intended on running some cleaner through the gas except. It decided not to start one day in March so I need to pull the injectors and clean them. Can anybody help me out by email some info from their manual or help me to locate a paper one of my own.

Lastly I need to locate a rear window gasket, after my back window was broken out I don't know what happened to it. Any help would be appreciated. I just want to drive my car again.
Rebuilt alternators are available from Fastlane on this site, look at the top of the page. You may also try a local parts place. You may want to upgrade from a lower amperage alternator to a higher amperage one.

As for fuel delivery, you must be very careful with the mechanical fuel injection. It must be kept clean and free of any dirt or crud of any kind. There is a fine mesh fuel filter attached to the drivers side engine mount. There are also two fuel dampers, one for the inlet and another for the outlet. Get a new filter but make sure the cannister is clean inside and outside. You do not want the injection pump contaminated at all. You may want to replace the innerds of the dampers. Remember, keep them clean.

You will notice six pipes attached to the injection pump that are plummed around the front of the engine to the injectors on the passenger side of the engine. Do not attempt to clean these pipes or the injectors. The fuel is pumped at approx 250 psi by the injection pump to the injectors which atomize the fuel into a fine mist, obviously when the car is running. Put some injector cleaner into the tank. They must be cleaned by backflushing.

The fuel pump at the rear of the car runs gas to the filter. Make sure the tank is free or rust and the hoses are new and/or not leaking. There are supply and return pipes running under the car. You might want to replace the short rubber hoses with new ones.

There are various relays and time delay relays on the firewall that control the cold start valve and the enrichment solonoid on the injection pump.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT adjust the linkage stops on the injection pump or the throttle body at the front of the intake manifold. The idle is adjusted otherwise with the engine off and then tested.

As for the gasket, look on Fastlane or try the local dealer. Look at www.hemmings.com for parts suppliers.

There aren't any advanced electronics on the car so don't worry about reversing the battery. You fried the internal diodes.

Ok, so report back on your findings.

Remember, cleanliness is next to Godliness with mechanical fuel injection.
__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-31-2004, 07:39 PM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
Quote:
Originally posted by cth350
take a photo of the rear of the alternator. There are at least three variations of how the wiring plugs in.
Attached Thumbnails
a few mechanical questions-alt-back.jpg  
__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-31-2004, 07:41 PM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
sticker reads:

Bosch 20 400 716 717
(Made in Germany)
1 --- 14 V
55 A 20
Attached Thumbnails
a few mechanical questions-alt.jpg  
__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-31-2004, 08:57 PM
Benzcrusher's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,114
Here is one I took off my '70 280SEL, inline 6...
Attached Thumbnails
a few mechanical questions-alt1.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-31-2004, 08:58 PM
Benzcrusher's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,114
And the front....
Attached Thumbnails
a few mechanical questions-alt2.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-05-2004, 06:21 PM
younggun85's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Minnesooota
Posts: 43
just read replies

thanks for all the replies, trontek I'm interested in the manual. My zip code is 55304 in Minnesota, I would like to find out how much shipping would cost and wouldn't mind seeing a pic you can get back to me via email if you'd like at Witier1@msn.com.
I will take a look at and maybe replace the gas lines, but does anyone know if steel braided hoses are available for this application. And I didn't mention, I already replaced the fuel filter, but could somebody help me with some picture so I could find these fuel dampers, and the equipment to replace their innards.
last of all about the alternators I think benzcrusher has the one I need, but I'm not sure. I will post a pic of mine, and I thought there were different kinds of hook ups, because I was told at the local parts store that an alternator from a 250S would work on my 280SE, but when I got them ready to swap I noticed mine had a totally different plug. I also have some some concerns about wires that aren't connected to anything. I will post pics of what I mean. Lastly I also have problems with my power steering, but I will discuss those once I get the engine turning. Thanks again for everyones help.

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 03:47 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