Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)

[alec.e]

I would be very suprised if any main dealer removed a speed limiter, the Jag & BMW both read 162mph when at the limitter, which equates to 260km/h.

[MJK 24]

If the leads are the same as the W124 M102 230E, you can buy replacement ‘ends’ from the dealer and keep the existing lead itself.

They are excellent quality, I agree.

[r129sl]

There is some serious car maintenance going on this weekend in the absence of Mrs r129sl. As well as the 124 works, we set about the ignition system on the Spartan, my intention being to replace the coil, distributor cap, rotor and plugs and maybe the leads.

I have done the distributor cap and rotor. New and old rotors:


Old distributor cap:


New cap:


The coil will have to wait another day, the replacement Bosch item being poorly made. See how the negative terminal is not attached to the body of the coil.



I haven't done the plugs and I haven't done the leads. I am not sure about the leads. The originals look so much better than the replacements. I'll do the plugs tonight.

I also adjusted the mixture slightly. I think it was running too lean as it would stumble when warm but not hot.

[Zonergem]

Another carb-fuelled Spartan. Not awful value as the numberplate is included and there's a dent in the N/S/R door to start you off on a wee haggle.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-190E-Automatic...

[EarlOfHazard]

Zonergem said:

Another carb-fuelled Spartan. Not awful value as the numberplate is included and there's a dent in the N/S/R door to start you off on a wee haggle.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-190E-Automatic...

Ohhh that's near me as well. But I feel that being an auto, it's not spartan enough

This 190e recently sold, it's a manual; but being a 1.8, means it's an injection. Uber basic spec though.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

[r129sl]

I finished the job (part from the coil) this morning, changing the plugs and the leads in the end. The leads look like they were the originals, 28 years old, so about time, I suppose. The plugs were in good shape. The car is idling beautifully now, this has definitely made a difference. I have ordered another Bosch coil.

Here are leads and plugs, old and new. The old leads are definitely of superior quality. They were made by Beru for MB. Maybe I should have bought Beru leads. I have other things to worry about.

[Max M4X WW]

EarlOfHazard said:

Zonergem said:

Another carb-fuelled Spartan. Not awful value as the numberplate is included and there's a dent in the N/S/R door to start you off on a wee haggle.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-190E-Automatic...

Ohhh that's near me as well. But I feel that being an auto, it's not spartan enough

This 190e recently sold, it's a manual; but being a 1.8, means it's an injection. Uber basic spec though.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

I feel I have seen this somewhere before, ebay possibly as I have reasonable interest in the reg.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

r129sl said:

I finished the job (part from the coil) this morning, changing the plugs and the leads in the end. The leads look like they were the originals, 28 years old, so about time, I suppose. The plugs were in good shape. The car is idling beautifully now, this has definitely made a difference. I have ordered another Bosch coil.

Here are leads and plugs, old and new. The old leads are definitely of superior quality. They were made by Beru for MB. Maybe I should have bought Beru leads. I have other things to worry about.

Inspiring stuff old chap. I'm impressed at your DIY spannering skills; despite your protestations to ineptitude, you're pretty handy.

Hope that the worrying things get sorted so that Beru leads become important again.

[BorniteIdentity]

Great to see this wonderful old lady still trundling around. It's always annoying when a car lets you down though, eh? Firstly - you've the inconvenience and secondly that feeling of invincibility is lost.

Mine, i'm rather embarrassed to admit, is in my garage avoiding the winter weather. I'm not one to 'keep things for best', but it really does deserve it.

That said, it's also a car and probably wants nothing more than to be driven than hidden.

[r129sl]

To be honest, BI, I rather let the car down. I should have had the carburettor serviced a long time ago. I must say, it is running very sweetly indeed this morning. Next jobs, timing chain and engine mounts.

[r129sl]

Well I have ordered new engine and transmission mounts from SKS Car Parts, £109 for Lemförder, including VAT and delivery. I am hoping this will be relatively easy, although I really do not like going underneath the car when it is up on stands. I need to get the winter wheels on, too. Saturday morning...

Here are the instructions: https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/11832/...

[Zonergem]

I have a pair of ramps and extensions you can borrow if that makes you feel any safer. Planning to pop up to the Toon this week.

Ramps, chocks and stands - I think you'd have to be pretty unlucky from there.

[r129sl]

I fitted the coil tonight (easy, seems to be working) and had a good look at the engine mounts: while I think easy might be over-stretching it, the nuts and bolts at least look vaguely accessible. They'll not doubt be stuck as tight as the proverbial.

Alex, if you're in Newcastle tomorrow (Thursday), give me a shout and I'll buy you lunch/give you a lift to the station.

[r129sl]

Fitted the winter wheels today and took the opportunity to clean up the arches. I applied Dynax S50 wherever I saw any underseal breaks or any rust. Especially around the subframe mounting points, ha ha.

[MJK 24]

olly22n said:

That’s an awful lot of copper grease!

Yes. You don’t need any if you’re running steel wheels. A very light smear if you’re running alloys can help prevent the rim seizing to the hub. Corrosion from dissimilar metals...

[MJK 24]

Seeing the photos of the wheels removed reminds me of the week before last. Came back to the 190 to find a flat tyre.

I must say, it was genuinely a pleasure to change the wheel! Whoever designed the jack should be awarded a medal. Brilliant piece of design. Slides into a round hole in the sill. Literally impossible for ithe car to fall from the jack. The gearing of the jack is also the work of a genius. All you need is one finger and one thumb to turn the handle. Very light and well lubricated. They even include a screw in dowl to facilitate easy fitment or alloy wheels. Can’t have taken more than 3-4 minutes, start to finish. Full sized spare wheel, too.

[r129sl]

Copper grease: I didn’t know that. It does look rather a lot. Nice drive down the coast today.

[r129sl]

Nothing to report. It’s such a lovely driver this one. I have a new timing chain ready to go in it next week. It’s a bit rattly sometimes when starting.

Edited by r129sl on Sunday 24th February 12:18

[r129sl]

The legendary Baister—speaking to me once more—fitted a new timing chain today. It had been rattling a bit at start up and I recalled one of our number had a bad experience. £295 of preventative maintenance, I suppose.

[Light17]

You're unlucky to have to replace it so soon, my 2.5 diesel 190 has less than 1 degree of stretch after 230k miles.