Very cool topic...just one question (slightly unrelated)

I was pawing though the "optional" part of the sprinter van stuff on that website and came across "tow away protection" in regards to alarm stuff..
What is this?

99 E300 had it. If the car or van is tilted ( as in towed) over a certian angle it sets the alarm off and is supposed to kill everything. Engine, radio, etc.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

This is a view from the left of the brake reservoir in the 87 300 D.

You can see a whiter verticle line at the rear. That is the rear reservoir dam full to the top, for the rear brakes. Not much volume for fluid in there!

Also notice the sealed off unused hose connection. Wonder what application that was for? Probably for some other type MB vehicle?

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The sealed but unused hose connection probably went to the clutch hydraulics for the rest of the world's W126 cars.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

Now take a look at the view from the left of the brake reservoir in the 86 300 SDL.

In the first photo, you see no white vertical line. You think that the reservoir is full and that everything is fine.

Now take a look at the view from the right side of the brake reservoir in the second photo.

The dam is clearly visible and the forward reservoir is full. But, the rear reservoir is almost empty.

BB, I also figured out the situation with fluid not passing over the dam. The dam extends quite high up, almost to the top of the reservoir housing. So, you must fill the forward reservoir almost to the top in order to get fluid to flow over the top of the dam. However, if you overfill the forward reservoir, right to the cap entrance, you have now trapped air in the top of the rear reservoir and the rear reservoir cannot fill until you jostle the tank somewhat.

I had no difficulty in filling the rear reservoir, provided that I filled the forward reservoir quite high, but, not to the top.

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Thanks for the PM, I hadn't known you posted some photos.

Not until someone mentioned a dam in there did I, or would have, immagined such a thing! It's why I drove a couple of months without rears waiting for the weather to break so I could install the new M/C, only to find out that I never needed a new one! Same is true for the new ball joints I bought last year, only to find out that the bumping and banging noise was the sway bar bushings instead! One thing is good about it, I am building a nice spare parts supply invantory, but mostly I'm learning more about this car's idiosycracy more and more! Ya gotta love it!

One of the reasons my MS went dry... you couldn't really see in it.

126 brakes are tricky if you don't pay attention!

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]