1996 Mercedes SL 600
Discussion
Needless to say there was a problem with the KwikFit mobile tyre fitting service. The balancing machine in their van is broken so I've rescheduled for next week.
To be fair to them they let me know early on and have waived the fitting fee.
So the car was sitting like a beached whale in anticipation and I wasted my time taking the wheels off and then having to refit them.
Incidentally, with cars equipped with the hydraulic Adaptive Damping System (ADS), before the wheels are raised off the ground you should press this red button (pic) first, to lock the suspension. I forgot to do this, so fingers crossed I haven't caused any calibration/sensor issues...
To be fair to them they let me know early on and have waived the fitting fee.
So the car was sitting like a beached whale in anticipation and I wasted my time taking the wheels off and then having to refit them.
Incidentally, with cars equipped with the hydraulic Adaptive Damping System (ADS), before the wheels are raised off the ground you should press this red button (pic) first, to lock the suspension. I forgot to do this, so fingers crossed I haven't caused any calibration/sensor issues...
hoppo4.2 said:
Is it ads 1 or ads 2 on your car.
I had a v8 with ads1 and it didn't have that red button not that it mattered because it didn't work anyway.
ADS 2.I had a v8 with ads1 and it didn't have that red button not that it mattered because it didn't work anyway.
No issues when I lowered the car back on to its tyres, started the engine and reversed out. Phew.
However, after returning from a drive I pressed the red button and the whole switch assembly fell back in to the dashboard. Fortunately I could access it from underneath by pulling out the park brake handle and I was able to click it back in place. Oddly there was a small plate of metal wedged between the bottom of the red button and its surround (you can see it in the above pic). I prised it out and it freed up the red button movement.
It seems to be working properly:
Edited by Hereward on Saturday 30th July 18:57
0a said:
Hereward said:
Thank you, I will certainly keep that in mind and I want to keep things as original as possible. The only thing is...apparently this engine can sound like a Zonda with the right exhaust...
Imagine how uncivilised that would be in a lovely SL 600! 
so silly yet so much wanthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-iV59F7E7s
ETA - lovely car though! My favourite Benz era, everything they made at this point was just so fit for purpose. Harry's video is a great watch too
Edited by turboflutter on Sunday 31st July 22:14
KwikFit came and fitted the Continentals (PremiumContact2 99Y) on Tuesday. A nice little touch was the use of silver metal dust caps. I am happy to recommend KwikFit mobile fitting on the basis of my experience with them.
The tyres are nothing special but absolutely fine for my needs, which will be wafting about with minimum fuss. Makes a nice change not having to fork out for Michelin Pilot SuperSports, which I use on my M5.
Had a short drive tonight and am now starting to understand the nature and character of this car. It's about whispering, not shouting. I have never driven a Rolls Royce but I would expect the feeling is similar - it's not about thrashing the car or chucking it around. It's about utterly serene, effortless progress, safe in the knowledge there's a large power reserve on tap if so required. Initially I took the lack of engine/exhaust noise to be a negative, now I treat it as a positive.
Tomorrow I drop the car off with a local Merc specialist for a week. Job List:
Replace leaking engine oil sump gasket
Compression/Leakdown test of all 12 cylinders
Fix duff aircon (new condenser?)
New pair of track rod ends (I noticed one ball joint gaiter is oozing grease)
New fuel filter
Fix slight oil leak from rear diff
New steering damper
New centre brake light
New underbonnet insulation
Geometry check
After my drive this evening I performed a block test on the cooling system and was very relieved that no combustion gases were present. The biggest fear on this car is failed head gaskets - about 50 hours of labour.
The tyres are nothing special but absolutely fine for my needs, which will be wafting about with minimum fuss. Makes a nice change not having to fork out for Michelin Pilot SuperSports, which I use on my M5.
Had a short drive tonight and am now starting to understand the nature and character of this car. It's about whispering, not shouting. I have never driven a Rolls Royce but I would expect the feeling is similar - it's not about thrashing the car or chucking it around. It's about utterly serene, effortless progress, safe in the knowledge there's a large power reserve on tap if so required. Initially I took the lack of engine/exhaust noise to be a negative, now I treat it as a positive.
Tomorrow I drop the car off with a local Merc specialist for a week. Job List:
Replace leaking engine oil sump gasket
Compression/Leakdown test of all 12 cylinders
Fix duff aircon (new condenser?)
New pair of track rod ends (I noticed one ball joint gaiter is oozing grease)
New fuel filter
Fix slight oil leak from rear diff
New steering damper
New centre brake light
New underbonnet insulation
Geometry check
After my drive this evening I performed a block test on the cooling system and was very relieved that no combustion gases were present. The biggest fear on this car is failed head gaskets - about 50 hours of labour.
Edited by Hereward on Friday 5th August 22:38
Hereward said:
It's about whispering, not shouting. I have never driven a Rolls Royce but I would expect the feeling is similar - it's not about thrashing the car or chucking it around. It's about utterly serene, effortless progress, safe in the knowledge there's a large power reserve on tap if so required. Initially I took the lack of engine/exhaust noise to be a negative, now I treat it as a positive.
Absolutely spot on. It's a car for covering a lot of ground very quickly, confidently and with zero fuss. A car to be enjoyed internally, as it were: for oneself rather than for the impression it makes on others.I look forward to hearing about the further mechanical work.
Edit: I used a Kwik Fit branch the other day and was similarly satisfied.
Hereward said:
Tomorrow I drop the car off with a local Merc specialist for a week. Job List:
Replace leaking engine oil sump gasket
Compression/Leakdown test of all 12 cylinders
Fix duff aircon (new condenser?)
New pair of track rod ends (I noticed one ball joint gaiter is oozing grease)
New fuel filter
Fix slight oil leak from rear diff
New steering damper
New centre brake light
New underbonnet insulation
Geometry check
After my drive this evening I performed a block test on the cooling system and was very relieved that no combustion gases were present. The biggest fear on this car is failed head gaskets - about 50 hours of labour.
I collected the car from the garage a few hours ago, having had all the work in this list done, apart from the aircon.Replace leaking engine oil sump gasket
Compression/Leakdown test of all 12 cylinders
Fix duff aircon (new condenser?)
New pair of track rod ends (I noticed one ball joint gaiter is oozing grease)
New fuel filter
Fix slight oil leak from rear diff
New steering damper
New centre brake light
New underbonnet insulation
Geometry check
After my drive this evening I performed a block test on the cooling system and was very relieved that no combustion gases were present. The biggest fear on this car is failed head gaskets - about 50 hours of labour.
I am happy to recommend "IN Autos" in East Grinstead.
Compression test results were good, very pleasing that all cylinders are in fine fettle:
Cylinder# / Pressure
1 = 12.0 Bar
2 = 12.0
3 = 12.0
4 = 12.2
5 = 12.0
6 = 12.0
7 = 11.2
8 = 12.0
9 = 11.8
10 = 11.8
11 = 12.0
12 = 11.8
No leakdown test was performed given the excellent compression and block test results.
There is still evidence of a very slight oil leak from the front of the engine, so the car is going in again soon. The front bumper will be taken off to replace the aircon condensor (on back order from Germany) and receiver/drier and address the oil leak from the timing case area at the same time. Also the alternator can be properly degreased and the noisy secondary air pump can be inspected, too.
Replacing the 3 oil seals on the rear differential wasn't cheap but hopefully it won't need opening up again to that extent for another 10+ years.
The geometry tweaks have been successful - the car no longer dives to the left when I take my hands off the wheel.
The garage highlighted two other issues that I will attend to in due course:
- Wet power steering hose
- Rear brake flexi hoses starting to crack. They are the original items so 20 years old. Impressive.
I think that the headlamp knob is on upside down...
Hereward said:
ADS 2.
No issues when I lowered the car back on to its tyres, started the engine and reversed out. Phew.
However, after returning from a drive I pressed the red button and the whole switch assembly fell back in to the dashboard. Fortunately I could access it from underneath by pulling out the park brake handle and I was able to click it back in place. Oddly there was a small plate of metal wedged between the bottom of the red button and its surround (you can see it in the above pic). I prised it out and it freed up the red button movement.
It seems to be working properly:
No issues when I lowered the car back on to its tyres, started the engine and reversed out. Phew.
However, after returning from a drive I pressed the red button and the whole switch assembly fell back in to the dashboard. Fortunately I could access it from underneath by pulling out the park brake handle and I was able to click it back in place. Oddly there was a small plate of metal wedged between the bottom of the red button and its surround (you can see it in the above pic). I prised it out and it freed up the red button movement.
It seems to be working properly:
Edited by Hereward on Saturday 30th July 18:57
si_xsi said:
Lovely car OP, ex Evo owner Harry Metcalfe owned one an did a video of it shot in Monaco. It's a good watch
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo
I didn't know Jack Nicholson did car reviews...........https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo
Todzilla said:
I think that the headlamp knob is on upside down...
Well spotted Hawkeye!Hereward said:
ADS 2.
No issues when I lowered the car back on to its tyres, started the engine and reversed out. Phew.
However, after returning from a drive I pressed the red button and the whole switch assembly fell back in to the dashboard. Fortunately I could access it from underneath by pulling out the park brake handle and I was able to click it back in place. Oddly there was a small plate of metal wedged between the bottom of the red button and its surround (you can see it in the above pic). I prised it out and it freed up the red button movement.
It seems to be working properly:
No issues when I lowered the car back on to its tyres, started the engine and reversed out. Phew.
However, after returning from a drive I pressed the red button and the whole switch assembly fell back in to the dashboard. Fortunately I could access it from underneath by pulling out the park brake handle and I was able to click it back in place. Oddly there was a small plate of metal wedged between the bottom of the red button and its surround (you can see it in the above pic). I prised it out and it freed up the red button movement.
It seems to be working properly:
Edited by Hereward on Saturday 30th July 18:57
What a thoroughly wonderful piece of kit, and well done to you for taking it upon yourself to save it, in spite of the petrifying prospect presented by the tyre choice.
That dashboard leather and stitching should be held up as an example of "how Mercedes once was" when people talk about pre-2000 cars in reverent tones. Simply sumptuous.
That dashboard leather and stitching should be held up as an example of "how Mercedes once was" when people talk about pre-2000 cars in reverent tones. Simply sumptuous.
TR4man said:
Todzilla said:
I think that the headlamp knob is on upside down...
Well spotted Hawkeye!Edited by Hereward on Friday 19th August 20:11
Thick towel cloth, pair of pliers, grip knob through cloth, pull off. Installation reverse of removal.
Looks like someone has bought a new knob (the white paint wears off) but fitted it upside down. A somewhat schizophrenic approach to attention to detail.
Air con condensers are not stocked in the UK but should be available in four days from the Fatherland. They are made by Behr. Eurocarparts tend to keep Behr items in stock at half the main dealer price. Certainly that was my experience earlier this year.
Edit: don't leave the exhaust too long.
Looks like someone has bought a new knob (the white paint wears off) but fitted it upside down. A somewhat schizophrenic approach to attention to detail.
Air con condensers are not stocked in the UK but should be available in four days from the Fatherland. They are made by Behr. Eurocarparts tend to keep Behr items in stock at half the main dealer price. Certainly that was my experience earlier this year.
Edit: don't leave the exhaust too long.
r129sl said:
Thick towel cloth, pair of pliers, grip knob through cloth, pull off. Installation reverse of removal.
Looks like someone has bought a new knob (the white paint wears off) but fitted it upside down. A somewhat schizophrenic approach to attention to detail.
Air con condensers are not stocked in the UK but should be available in four days from the Fatherland. They are made by Behr. Eurocarparts tend to keep Behr items in stock at half the main dealer price. Certainly that was my experience earlier this year.
Edit: don't leave the exhaust too long.
Thank you. Good to hear it's simply a pull off/push on job. I will do it in the next few days.Looks like someone has bought a new knob (the white paint wears off) but fitted it upside down. A somewhat schizophrenic approach to attention to detail.
Air con condensers are not stocked in the UK but should be available in four days from the Fatherland. They are made by Behr. Eurocarparts tend to keep Behr items in stock at half the main dealer price. Certainly that was my experience earlier this year.
Edit: don't leave the exhaust too long.
Once the aircon is sorted and the engine oil-tight then I will attend to the exhaust. Headers could do with renewal too; probably a pig of a job given the lack of space.
Switch now in its correct orientation! It came off easily without pliers and the job took approximately 4 seconds.
I can see why a previous owner mounted it upside down, to hide the heavily scuffed top. I can't quite figure out the cause of the scuffage, short of pulling the switch off and deliberately grinding it against a paving slab
I will get a shiny new one at some point.
I can see why a previous owner mounted it upside down, to hide the heavily scuffed top. I can't quite figure out the cause of the scuffage, short of pulling the switch off and deliberately grinding it against a paving slab
I will get a shiny new one at some point.
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