Hello, I'm new to the MB world, but I been working on Volvos for years. I've just purchased a 1985 380SE w/ 158k. I believe it's been sitting since March. I looking for advice on how to get this car back to regalur duty?

The paint looks a little tired, but Im sure with a good wash and wax it should be ok.

One thing, I have noticed is that it smokes a little-bit after starting... any ideas?

Suggestions, and ideas?

thx in advance.

Change the oil and refill with 15/50 weight synthetic.

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Earl



1993 190E 2.3
2000 Toyota 4x4 Tundra

Changing the oil never hurts but I suggest that you pull the valve cover off of the left head and check the timming chain guides. If they have grooves or look brittle change the chain and upper guides. When they break the chain jumps and pistons and valves find a new way to interact. Mine wasn't pretty. I did the labor and it cost me about $900 and several months of driving a BMW. Boo!

dan

well it quit smoking, i drove it for about 10miles.

Now for the stupid questions.

How does one pop the hood?

How does one turn off the parking lights? via the regular headlight switch?

thx

to open the hood there is a lever by your left foot when sitting in the driver's seat - pull it. then go to the front of the car. there is either a tab that comes out of the grill OR there may be two releases under the hood above the fog lights (not sure how your's is, mine is the first).
as for the parking lights - on most models the headlight switch also activates the "standing lights". they are for parking in areas where you are afraid your car could be hit while parked briefly up on the sidewalk, double parking on new york city streets, etc. in order for the lights to be totally turned off the switch must be verticle - up and down. if you turn the knob all the way to the left you will turn on the left standing light (parking light) - turn it one more click to the right and the right standing light is illuminated. turn it yet one more click to the right and the lights are off.
as far as smoking goes - does it just smoke on start up? if it does then your valve stem seals are probably hard and need to be replaced - or - worse case scenario - one or more of the guides are shot. do you have any maintenance info from the previous owner?

If that little tab thing is broken off, the handle won't pop out of the grille and you'll have to fish in with a pair of pliers and grab-pull it to release the safety catch. Also, if you need a new one, they are cheap but the 85 380SE seems to take a certain odd length. I ordered one through a dealer and it was the same too-long size as the one that the previous owner had put in. I ended up resorting to my street rodding skills and fabricated a new correct size piece, attached to the OEM outer handle part, to fit inside the grille where it can't be seen.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus