Just bought a 190D - What should I address - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Amphicar770 · #1 01-22-2007, 09:42 PM

Hi All,

As much as I hate buying cars on eBay it looks like I have bought myself a 2.5 190D.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220072077774

I have owned various older diesels in the past including various VW's and a BMW 524TD. This is my first MB diesel.

Now besides teh usual ritual of changing all the fluids, what else should I be checking or addressing sooner rather than later. What things should I look for when I go to pick it up? (for example, on the old VW diesels you would check for steady coolant flow to the overflow bottle as sputtering is indicative of bad head gasket). Any idea on why the temp/fuel/oil pressure gauges are not working.

OK, thanks. I have had very good luck and very bad luck buying vehicles on EvilBay. Hopefully this falls into the good category.

Thanks.

sixto · #2 01-22-2007, 09:58 PM

There should probably be a hose from the air cleaner to the grill area so the engine's not sucking hot engine bay air.

Is that black patch at the front of the valve cover oil? Clean it and see if it comes back.

Get those jack points checked before you have to change a flat.

Ice on the AC line suggests the evaporator core temp sensor isn't working.

That odometer looks tampered with. The digits shouldn't be so far out of alignment at 150K miles.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

Dubyagee · #3 01-22-2007, 10:06 PM

Bubbles in the reservoir are a good check for a head issue. . If you smell exhaust when driving with the drivers window open the trunk vents are bad. the fuel gauge is electric while the oil is mechanical. Both being dead would warrant a gauge cluster investigation. Looks like you got a good car on your hands from what I can see. Good luck.

justinperkins · #4 01-22-2007, 10:13 PM

Looks like a fun little diesel. I haven't seen too many 190's with headlight wipers, or maybe I haven't been paying attention.

Pimpin' red interior

Get that rust on the rocker repaired ASAP.

Edit: What's up with the red only going to the headliner, looks really bizarre. Cool you got the window sticker.

Amphicar770 · #5 01-22-2007, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the good info Sixto.

Will check the odometer carefully. Service records allegedly support mileage reading.

Seller assures me that jack point rust is surface and not structural although I will check carefully before accepting vehicle and will be cleaning that up with the grinder after actual purchase.

Is the evap temp sensor an easy or difficult repair?

Thanks again.

JimmyL · #6 01-22-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

That odometer looks tampered with. The digits shouldn't be so far out of alignment at 150K miles.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

I agree. They rarely mis-align. Did you run a Carfax on it?
I think it looks nice, and looks like a good deal. I love that interior color. Frozen AC line could just mean it's a little low on freon. but it is working...

Just something from the Russian VIN site:

History - Parsons - Models - FAQ - VIN - Code - Notes - Links

Mercedes-Benz / VIN

NEWS

MERCEDES-BENZ

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Brief version

VIN WDBDB26DOHF344548
Model 190 D 2,5
Chassis 2011261F344548
Engine 602911 12 009122
Transmission 722414 12 461560
Order 0 6 704 44793
Approx. year not defined
Lights BOSCH
Wiper SWF
Cab 03462
Dealer United States (USA) (704)
Interior mb-tex medium red (177)
Paint
702 smoke silver metallic (с 01.01.1983)
77 Unknown code
Options
240 outside temperature indicator (с 01.03.1982)
second spare wheel (с 01.01.1964 по 28.02.1973)
286 luggage nets on front seat backrests (с 01.01.1962)
410 electric sliding roof (с 01.03.1965 по 29.02.1988)
420 automatic transmission, floor shift (с 01.01.1963)
444 bumper, rear, with license plate higher than 152 mm (с 01.02.1967 по 31.08.1971)
tempomat (cruise control) and airbag (с 01.02.1980 по 31.10.1993)
467 central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
461 + 462 + 463 (с 01.07.1968 по 31.08.1969)
491 USA version (с 01.01.1963)
506 outside rear view mirror, left, electrically adjustable and heated (с 01.07.1983 по 30.09.1983)
outside rear view mirrors, left and right (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1971)
outside rear view mirror, left and right, heated (electrically adjustable on the right) (l.h.d.) (с 01.10.1983 по 31.03.1989)
outside rear view mirror, right, convex, taxi export version
501 + 509 (с 01.08.1971 по 30.04.1974)
519 Becker radio Grand Prix electronic cassette - USA (с 01.08.1980 по 30.11.1990)
Becker radio Grand Prix LW/MW/SW/USW - USA (с 01.01.1963 по 29.02.1972)
Becker radio Grand Prix stereo MW/USW - USA (с 01.10.1972 по 31.12.1976)
Becker radio Mexico Grand Prix, electronic (USA)
524 Reims adapter IV (с 01.04.1962 по 28.02.1963)
paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
531 automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)
543 exhaust-pipe cover trim (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1963)
seat adapter between the front seats, and halogen lamp unit (с 01.01.1967 по 31.12.1972)
sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
575 front folding armrest and right front seat with seat height adjustment
front folding armrest and headrest, left (с 01.04.1970)
571 + 574 (с 01.01.1963 по 29.02.1968)
586 Behr air conditioner, and electric window lifters (front and rear doors) (с 01.04.1970)
593 headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps - italy (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1965)
headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps, front, crystal clear (с 01.08.1965 по 31.01.1967)
heat-insulating glass, rear window pane (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
trim strips on hardtop (с 01.04.1963 по 31.07.1971)
639 radial-ply tires, elimination of warning triangle (с 01.11.1973 по 31.10.1974)
elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)
640 aluminium disc wheels with radial-ply tires (с 01.10.1969 по 31.12.1989)
tires with tube (с 01.01.1963 по 31.08.1965)
15-hole light alloy rims (с 01.01.1990)
673 high-capacity battery (с 01.01.1964)
807 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
876 interior light assembly (с 01.10.1997)
rear door contaCTS and lamp above rear window (с 01.07.1964 по 31.10.1993)
auxiliary rear interior lighting (с 01.06.1963 по 31.01.1964)

kerry · #7 01-22-2007, 10:37 PM

There was a question about mileage discrepancy on the auction page with 191k being reported somewhere. Was that explained?

Amphicar770 · #8 01-22-2007, 10:43 PM

Wow, you guys are good!

Yes, looking at that odometer pic closely now has me a little bit paranoid. If you looked at the Q&A you would have seen the following which does not help ease my concerns:

Q: What is actual mileage on this vehicle? When I ran the Autocheck right from eBay for this VIN it shows vehicle being titled on 6/28/2006 with a reading of 191,321 miles???
Jan-18-07
A: Hi. That is the milage showing on the title too. It was mistakenly read from the odomater at the time of sale when I got it, The true milage is 156.000 Thanks.

This is a sticky one. If it turns out odometer is not working properly (just sent him an email asking) then this is a MAJOR omission. If it has been tampered with then this, I would think, is much more difficult to prove.

kerry · #9 01-22-2007, 10:51 PM

Have you run a Carfax or seen the maintenance history records?

Amphicar770 · #10 01-22-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

Have you run a Carfax or seen the maintenance history records?

I ran the experian version of Carfax and the only item with a mileage reading was the one referenced in the Q&A.

Latest reply from seller has put my mind a bit more at ease...

Hi. The mileage is correct at 151.000 the odometor is working corretly too. Last year when I transferred the title I wrote down the wrong mileage which is why it says 190something. I have known this car since it was new and know the milege to be true. It has always been serviced and maintained by a Mercedes dealer, The last few years Quality Lincoln Mercury of Millville has serviced it as they are a Mercedes Benz service dealer. Millville is where the car spent its whole life since new until I bought it last year. You can see by the service book in the car, mileage and dates stamped in it reflects the true mileage.

JimmyL · #11 01-22-2007, 11:06 PM

No need to worry really, as you have a very clean car from what it appears. But, I can't begin to tell you how many 190's that I have seen with tranny problems in the 150-220K mile range.
Now, it will be what it will be, but it does change the "odds".
I think there has been a rollback, but I wouldn't let that keep me from getting that car. Just my opinion.......

**edit**
Just read post above. If that can be verified, I would feel very good if I were you. Let us know.
It is nice, either way......

SwampYankee · #12 01-23-2007, 09:14 AM

OT, Amphi, but do you have an Amphicar? I've always had a strange affection for them having grown up in a classic car & boating family. What is the line? They do neither well, but they will do both?

I'm bound and determined to find one in a barn somewhere whose owner just wants it out of the way.

Even rust-buckets command huge money!

Amphicar770 · #13 01-23-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

OT, Amphi, but do you have an Amphicar? ...

Yes, a fully restored one. I bought it back when they were rather inexpensive. Could not afford one today! If you think MB's have rust issues, try driving one in the water.

Neither a great car or a great boat but still the fastest car on the water and the fastest boat on land.

SwampYankee · #14 01-23-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphicar770

Yes, a fully restored one. I bought it back when they were rather inexpensive. Could not afford one today! If you think MB's have rust issues, try driving one in the water.

Neither a great car or a great boat but still the fastest car on the water and the fastest boat on land.

That's too funny! You're a lucky dog. Imagine what a little cruising in salt water could have done. Perish the thought!

Hmmm. I wonder if you could fit a 616 in there? May offset the buoyancy a little bit

chasinthesun · #15 01-23-2007, 01:57 PM

Best example I can give is what issues Ive had on my 190s.THE 88 190D had brake caliper replacement on rears-rusted.Front tierods replaced before alignment ,alternator and battery -caput after driving it home.I do have a noisey lifter,alldata states no replacement needed if noise is at start up and quickly goes away ,but this comes and goes at different reves ,.A complete hydraulic lifter set and timing chain set might be in its future.No other big issues on this one in 5 months .The 84 190d ,2.2 I recently purchased had a New battery ,tierods dangerously bad-replaced.Driver seat,all windows except driver was not working ,I origonally bought it as a parts car,but was pleasantly surprised I had a decent running car when I got it started.40 mpg in a desent car.Make sure of your fluid levels ,leaks have a way of not making themselves known until car is driven more frequently .I would top off ,then, for the first 3 days check fluid levels , change that to a 4 day check schedule,after that its up to you.My diesel oil gets checked twice a week when Im driving them regularly.