1987 Mercedes-Benz W126 560 SEC - project
Discussion
muppets_mate said:
O/T but are your photos taken in the same multi-storey car park in Shoreditch that held the BMW* Art Car exhibition as part of the Cultural Olympiad in 2012? Looks very familiar.
http://www.designboom.com/art/bmw-art-car-collecti...
* I realise that might be a swear word on this thread!
Yes. I didn't know it was the same car park until I got there...luckily I had my camera with mehttp://www.designboom.com/art/bmw-art-car-collecti...
* I realise that might be a swear word on this thread!
devnull said:
bmthnick1981 said:
Anyone know the oil capacity of the gearbox on a 560 SEC? Planning gearbox fluid change on the weekend...... and hopefully quite a few more jobs in prep for MOT.....
Autodata reckons 6.2 litres for a drain and fill of Dexron IIbmthnick1981 said:
That's really helpful Devnull, thanks.
I did mine, there were a few things I would recommend...1) Never use paper towels for checking the levels. Use part of an old chamois leather. Lint kills the transmission apparently.
2) There's little point removing the filter and draining the transmission if you're not going to drain the torque converter(TC) too. You do this by manually turning the engine (in the correct direction to avoid slackening the timing chains) until the TC spins round to show its drain screw (visible through a hole in the TC casing). Undo the screw and watch it drain.
3) Topping up took about 7L for me. I topped up a bit, checked the levels after running the engine, then topped up some more and so on. BE AWARE that too much transmission fluid will result in megabork.... take your time and do it bit by bit
SamPet said:
I did mine, there were a few things I would recommend...
1) Never use paper towels for checking the levels. Use part of an old chamois leather. Lint kills the transmission apparently.
2) There's little point removing the filter and draining the transmission if you're not going to drain the torque converter(TC) too. You do this by manually turning the engine (in the correct direction to avoid slackening the timing chains) until the TC spins round to show its drain screw (visible through a hole in the TC casing). Undo the screw and watch it drain.
3) Topping up took about 7L for me. I topped up a bit, checked the levels after running the engine, then topped up some more and so on. BE AWARE that too much transmission fluid will result in megabork.... take your time and do it bit by bit
Useful advice, thanks. My mate the mechanic will be taking the lead on all the bits we've got to do this weekend, I am a mere apprentice!1) Never use paper towels for checking the levels. Use part of an old chamois leather. Lint kills the transmission apparently.
2) There's little point removing the filter and draining the transmission if you're not going to drain the torque converter(TC) too. You do this by manually turning the engine (in the correct direction to avoid slackening the timing chains) until the TC spins round to show its drain screw (visible through a hole in the TC casing). Undo the screw and watch it drain.
3) Topping up took about 7L for me. I topped up a bit, checked the levels after running the engine, then topped up some more and so on. BE AWARE that too much transmission fluid will result in megabork.... take your time and do it bit by bit
SamPet said:
bmthnick1981 said:
That's really helpful Devnull, thanks.
I did mine, there were a few things I would recommend...1) Never use paper towels for checking the levels. Use part of an old chamois leather. Lint kills the transmission apparently.
2) There's little point removing the filter and draining the transmission if you're not going to drain the torque converter(TC) too. You do this by manually turning the engine (in the correct direction to avoid slackening the timing chains) until the TC spins round to show its drain screw (visible through a hole in the TC casing). Undo the screw and watch it drain.
3) Topping up took about 7L for me. I topped up a bit, checked the levels after running the engine, then topped up some more and so on. BE AWARE that too much transmission fluid will result in megabork.... take your time and do it bit by bit
Some good progress yesterday, but no pics (was too bloody cold!). Got the new fuel pump on (car has 2, I think I might get another new one so I no both are new), got the new caliper on the rear drivers side, nice easy job. Drained the autobox (had very little oil in it) inspected the filter, looked new so didnt replace, refilled box. Then cracked on to the water pump which was a b
d of a job, we didnt have a manual or any clue as to best / correct method so we just cracked on. Got it all back together at 9pm last night by which time the battery had gone flat so left it for the the night. Going to go up today to fill it with anti-freeze, fresh fuel in and put the battery back in which should have hopefully re-charged.
Some good news;
- Opened the boot to find a full size Lorinser spare.
- opened the glove box to find a stack of papers, books and manuals including service history and owners manual.
- both seat belt presenters work!
- All lights work.
- Heaters work.
Bad news;
- Car is damp, window, door, sunroof and boot seals will need replacing. These can be expensive but I understand its only worth buying new from MB so will do.
- Some rust on underneath of rear parcel shelf, to be expected I think and my mechanic is of the opinion its not structural so will dry it all out, replace seals including rear window seal, ensure its dry and not leaking then rub down, clean up and paint.
- Elec seats, wipers and elec windows / roof not working - suspect fuses.
More updates to follow.
The service history and owners manual;
Serviced at;
12.06.87 - 845 miles - Bradshaw Webb (Chelsea) Ltd.
04.01.88 - 5,171 miles - Mercedes-Benz (United Kingdom) Ltd, Brentford
20.10.88 - 12,235 miles - County Garages (Cheltenham) Ltd
16.06.89 - 18,075 miles - Scmmitt Automobile Services Ltd, London
11.05.90 - 23,952 miles - R.J. Technical Specialists Ltd, London
30.11.90 - 30,266 miles - R.J. Technical Specialists Ltd, London
19.07.91 - 35,177 miles - Bradshaw Webb (Chelsea) Ltd.
10.12.92 - 46,195 miles - Bradshaw Webb (Chelsea) Ltd.
11.02.94 - 51,089 miles - German Motor Co. Ltd
30.03.96 - 54,100 miles - German Motor Co. Ltd
29.04.96 - 56,454 miles - German Motor Co. Ltd
So it looks like it was looked after early on in its life if not later on!
d of a job, we didnt have a manual or any clue as to best / correct method so we just cracked on. Got it all back together at 9pm last night by which time the battery had gone flat so left it for the the night. Going to go up today to fill it with anti-freeze, fresh fuel in and put the battery back in which should have hopefully re-charged.Some good news;
- Opened the boot to find a full size Lorinser spare.
- opened the glove box to find a stack of papers, books and manuals including service history and owners manual.
- both seat belt presenters work!
- All lights work.
- Heaters work.
Bad news;
- Car is damp, window, door, sunroof and boot seals will need replacing. These can be expensive but I understand its only worth buying new from MB so will do.
- Some rust on underneath of rear parcel shelf, to be expected I think and my mechanic is of the opinion its not structural so will dry it all out, replace seals including rear window seal, ensure its dry and not leaking then rub down, clean up and paint.
- Elec seats, wipers and elec windows / roof not working - suspect fuses.
More updates to follow.
The service history and owners manual;
Serviced at;
12.06.87 - 845 miles - Bradshaw Webb (Chelsea) Ltd.
04.01.88 - 5,171 miles - Mercedes-Benz (United Kingdom) Ltd, Brentford
20.10.88 - 12,235 miles - County Garages (Cheltenham) Ltd
16.06.89 - 18,075 miles - Scmmitt Automobile Services Ltd, London
11.05.90 - 23,952 miles - R.J. Technical Specialists Ltd, London
30.11.90 - 30,266 miles - R.J. Technical Specialists Ltd, London
19.07.91 - 35,177 miles - Bradshaw Webb (Chelsea) Ltd.
10.12.92 - 46,195 miles - Bradshaw Webb (Chelsea) Ltd.
11.02.94 - 51,089 miles - German Motor Co. Ltd
30.03.96 - 54,100 miles - German Motor Co. Ltd
29.04.96 - 56,454 miles - German Motor Co. Ltd
So it looks like it was looked after early on in its life if not later on!
Ok, some more good news, went up this morning, filled it with anti-freeze, fresh fuel and charged battery and she fired up. Much smoother now, and no awful squeaking from the belts as previously. Gearbox is 100% better, pop it in reverse or drive and it bites straight away and pulls away. It seems to have been a low fluid issue, previously it had no 'bite' and wouldnt pull away without plenty of revs which seemed to build the pressure up, only about 1 litre came out when we drained it so possibly just a low fluid issue.
Still won't rev past 3,000 when warm, seems to go higher when cold. Am going to get another fuel pump so we know both are new. These cars seem to be sensitive to fuel pumps, filters and relays. Also need to replace ignition coil, have a new one just didn't have time to put it on. Also need new dizzy cap and rotor arm so we can eliminate those as causing the issue. Plugs and leads are new. Also currently running it with no air box or filter on, we have it all in the car but it was off when I acquired the car. Car also smells to be running a bit rich.
Managed to give it a jet wash off which has transformed it, looks like a different car. Should have put the new number plates on but ran out of time. Crap photos from iphone;
Spare Wheel;
Anyone know who these are or if they or a successor still exists?
I think the period sticker looks really good! Would like one from the supplying dealer though ideally.
During / after a jet wash;
The car is damp inside but I think the main cause of this is because the electric windows aren't working the 'auto drop' feature on the doors are stuck in the down position meaning a gap at the top of window and water getting in. Will aim to go through the fuses in the next week or so.
Still won't rev past 3,000 when warm, seems to go higher when cold. Am going to get another fuel pump so we know both are new. These cars seem to be sensitive to fuel pumps, filters and relays. Also need to replace ignition coil, have a new one just didn't have time to put it on. Also need new dizzy cap and rotor arm so we can eliminate those as causing the issue. Plugs and leads are new. Also currently running it with no air box or filter on, we have it all in the car but it was off when I acquired the car. Car also smells to be running a bit rich.
Managed to give it a jet wash off which has transformed it, looks like a different car. Should have put the new number plates on but ran out of time. Crap photos from iphone;
Spare Wheel;
Anyone know who these are or if they or a successor still exists?
I think the period sticker looks really good! Would like one from the supplying dealer though ideally.
During / after a jet wash;
The car is damp inside but I think the main cause of this is because the electric windows aren't working the 'auto drop' feature on the doors are stuck in the down position meaning a gap at the top of window and water getting in. Will aim to go through the fuses in the next week or so.
My 500E had random issues with fuses, in the end I found out that they needed a clean with wire wool every so often and haven't had an issue since, even with the original 22 year old fuses.
Get a de-humidifier inside it, one of the gel type for the caravans can work wonders with the windows and doors closed, or if somewhere well ventilated and dry leave the windows down.
Lovely lovely cars these 560s, good project!!
Dave!
Get a de-humidifier inside it, one of the gel type for the caravans can work wonders with the windows and doors closed, or if somewhere well ventilated and dry leave the windows down.
Lovely lovely cars these 560s, good project!!
Dave!
Howitzer said:
My 500E had random issues with fuses, in the end I found out that they needed a clean with wire wool every so often and haven't had an issue since, even with the original 22 year old fuses.
Get a de-humidifier inside it, one of the gel type for the caravans can work wonders with the windows and doors closed, or if somewhere well ventilated and dry leave the windows down.
Lovely lovely cars these 560s, good project!!
Dave!
Thanks for the tip on the fuses.Get a de-humidifier inside it, one of the gel type for the caravans can work wonders with the windows and doors closed, or if somewhere well ventilated and dry leave the windows down.
Lovely lovely cars these 560s, good project!!
Dave!
Yes, have a dehumidifier, first thing is to get the windows closing properly so the car is sealed. Once it's MOT'd I will move it into my garage and get the dehumidifier into it for a day or so. Also plan to strip the inside, seats carpets etc so they can be cleaned properly.
Really enjoying the project!
olly22n said:
Good work!
You mention new plates, I trust they are still in the old style font?
Keep the updates coming!
Hmm, old style font? Not sure. Just ordered some cheapy replacements off eBay! Can you link me to someone who can do the old style? I assume its just the font thats a bit thinner? You mention new plates, I trust they are still in the old style font?
Keep the updates coming!
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