Thanks for the replies guys. Hattaras: can you clarify ".3 bar" @ hot idle? What is ".3"? I drove the car for the first time today on about a 18 mile trip and noticed a couple of times when I stopped at a traffic lamp that the gauge was dropping a little below the "1". I know my oil needs changed. It is BLACK. However, the moment I accelerate, it goes back to the peg above the "3". I do not think I ever had to take it to 3000 rpm either. It was on the "3" by about 1500 rpms. When it was idling in neutral, it was jst below the "2". I am sure these gauges are not prefectly accurate. My old 95' Suburban had a oil gauge that "danced" all over the place after the engine warmed.
As mentioned, I drove this car on the road for the first time today and was impressed. You may remember in another post, I had asked about the power on these cars. Well, I must say I am impressed. Like I said, I never took it over 3K rpms. I never had to. The transmission shifts very firmly from 1-2 when the car was cold, but after it warmed up, it shifted smoother, but it was not slipping. Shifts were noticable, but not neck jerking. I am guessing this is normal. I would not want it any firmer than that- nor any softer, but I am used to older, large American cars, with ultra smooth transmissions. In my 73' Pontiac, the shifts are unnoticable, same can be said for my 69' Caprice as well.
When I shift into "R" it is definitely noticable. I am guessing an adjustment is in order? Not a big deal though.
About the muffler- it is not that loud, but it is louder than it should be. Today, when the car was warming up (it was only in the 30s to lower 40s today) it was steaming (as normal) from the tailpipe, but there was some coming out from in front of the back tire area, so I know there is a hole there somewhere. True, these may be fine cars, but I do not want to pay $200 for a muffler, if I could get one as good for $50-$60. I may let it go for a while longer. As mentioned, it is not all that loud and I do not smell any exhaust fumes.
Did searches- no results to these:
Instead of starting new topics- I have a few of other questions:
#1- what is the rectangle box looking thing attached to the driver side of the radiator with braded hoses to it? One of the hoses on mine is cracked and I smell light gasoline fumes from it. Is it some sort of a vapor canister or something? (SEE PHOTO @ BOTTOM)
#2- I also notice if I park the car with the front headed uphill, the power steering pump will leak a bit. Is this a common problem on these cars? It may be a hose, I will have to investigate this further. If I want to add fluid, do I simply remove that cover and pour it in? Also, can I use tranny fluid, or MB power steering fluid only?
#3- The "anti-lock" warning lamp is illuminating. I did not notice this when the PO bought the car to me, but I have noticed it twice. One day when I moved it in the driveway and again today. Brakes seem fine.
Sorry, but these cars are totally new to me.
Photo of that box (referred to in question #1) is pictured here with a circle around it. This is not my engine, but one from an 83' 380SEL, but this is the same box I am referring to. I circled the actual unit in red and the hose on my car that is cracked in blue. That is where the smell is coming from. Not strong - you actually havet to get down to it to smell it. I was checking out the leak @ the PS pump when I noticed the smell.
Thanks in advance!