Mercedes W124 E300D estate - progress, or not...
Discussion
Well.......
Nothing.
I'm on to my second can of brake cleaner to start the car with - does that count?
In fact, spurred on by r129sl's quite reasonable question (plus the pending cold weather, and ongoing rumble from the underside on heavy acceleration), the car is booked in with my Man next week for a poke around in advance of more hard-earned being thrown his way in October (because he's on holiday, probably with my last bill payment, for half of this month).
To be checked:
Propshaft bearing (probably shot)
Back right brake (lightly dragging)
Then, the car will be back to him in October for the IM to come off (again), the clear lines to be checked over for air ingress (again) and the black lines replaced - because of ongoing air bubbles - and the glow plugs.
I need to sell some stuff this month to pay for that work. Plus the service for my Skoda. And the fork seals on my bike. And my credit card bill.
But I'm enjoying driving the MB in the mean time. Although I must retrieve the dropped IM bolt from the undertray.
Nothing.
I'm on to my second can of brake cleaner to start the car with - does that count?
In fact, spurred on by r129sl's quite reasonable question (plus the pending cold weather, and ongoing rumble from the underside on heavy acceleration), the car is booked in with my Man next week for a poke around in advance of more hard-earned being thrown his way in October (because he's on holiday, probably with my last bill payment, for half of this month).
To be checked:
Propshaft bearing (probably shot)
Back right brake (lightly dragging)
Then, the car will be back to him in October for the IM to come off (again), the clear lines to be checked over for air ingress (again) and the black lines replaced - because of ongoing air bubbles - and the glow plugs.
I need to sell some stuff this month to pay for that work. Plus the service for my Skoda. And the fork seals on my bike. And my credit card bill.
But I'm enjoying driving the MB in the mean time. Although I must retrieve the dropped IM bolt from the undertray.
Edited by Northbrook on Thursday 5th September 22:17
Right then. Car has been in with the mechanic today. Here goes:
- Rumbling is diagnosed as the propshaft bearing. The rubber donuts at either end (guibos?) are apparently okay. Mechanic had trouble finding the bearing from his suppliers, but it looks like part 1244100681 and around £15 for Febi.
- Reducing coolant level traced to a dodgy jubilee clip. That's been replaced. Hopefully that'll sort it, but it's one slight leak resolved.
- I do think I'll need to replace a couple of coolant lines that are looking their age, but first things first.
- Undertray dropped, intake manifold bolt retrieved and refitted.
- The black rubber fuel lines are degraded and should be replaced. Mechanic also suggests adding a non-return valve to the feed line.
- No output from the glow plug relay, although it's getting voltage. In addition, the glow plug wiring harness insulation is degraded. I believe the relay is (perhaps) 0075451631, and £65 for Beru. The harness, however, is NLA I believe. Not quite sure what to do about that! I also have the missing connector for #1 plug, so I'm wondering about moving to a W210 OM606 harness (if it's available) and connector.
Overall, the mechanic has commented that the engine is sounding good. Just some work to do - particularly for sourcing parts - before it gets too cold.
- Rumbling is diagnosed as the propshaft bearing. The rubber donuts at either end (guibos?) are apparently okay. Mechanic had trouble finding the bearing from his suppliers, but it looks like part 1244100681 and around £15 for Febi.
- Reducing coolant level traced to a dodgy jubilee clip. That's been replaced. Hopefully that'll sort it, but it's one slight leak resolved.
- I do think I'll need to replace a couple of coolant lines that are looking their age, but first things first.
- Undertray dropped, intake manifold bolt retrieved and refitted.
- The black rubber fuel lines are degraded and should be replaced. Mechanic also suggests adding a non-return valve to the feed line.
- No output from the glow plug relay, although it's getting voltage. In addition, the glow plug wiring harness insulation is degraded. I believe the relay is (perhaps) 0075451631, and £65 for Beru. The harness, however, is NLA I believe. Not quite sure what to do about that! I also have the missing connector for #1 plug, so I'm wondering about moving to a W210 OM606 harness (if it's available) and connector.
Overall, the mechanic has commented that the engine is sounding good. Just some work to do - particularly for sourcing parts - before it gets too cold.
I'll get the disappointment in early, then - down in Berkshire we're unlikely to get heavy snow!
I stand corrected on the relay - 0155453032 will be the jobbie. It might clean up, but it might be easier to replace with a new one. It's also not attached to anything other than the cables, as the body mounts have either degraded or the securing bolts have snapped.
The more-fun bit is the wiring. Looks to be 1344404032, which is NLA from everywhere. I have found a supplier in Germany which seems to make upgraded new versions to the original pattern (https://www.kurth-classics-autoparts.de/gb/wiring-harness/179-mercedes-harness-pre-glow-system-a1244404032.html for anyone interested in the future - hello, the future!) but it's €540 exchange! I'm looking at getting a second-hand one from a breaker, working out the connector part numbers and wiring diagram, and seeing if I can persuade one of my techie colleagues to do the wiring for me. But, if anyone can recommend a decent person to do the work, I'm all ears.....
I stand corrected on the relay - 0155453032 will be the jobbie. It might clean up, but it might be easier to replace with a new one. It's also not attached to anything other than the cables, as the body mounts have either degraded or the securing bolts have snapped.
The more-fun bit is the wiring. Looks to be 1344404032, which is NLA from everywhere. I have found a supplier in Germany which seems to make upgraded new versions to the original pattern (https://www.kurth-classics-autoparts.de/gb/wiring-harness/179-mercedes-harness-pre-glow-system-a1244404032.html for anyone interested in the future - hello, the future!) but it's €540 exchange! I'm looking at getting a second-hand one from a breaker, working out the connector part numbers and wiring diagram, and seeing if I can persuade one of my techie colleagues to do the wiring for me. But, if anyone can recommend a decent person to do the work, I'm all ears.....
Autosparks say that my car is too new for them, and they can't get the connectors. I'll try Sileck - thanks.
I've just started to wonder whether the erratic rev counter may be due to a wiring short, too. It's all over the place, and has been for a few months. Presumably it won't affect anything as such, seeing that the engine is almost entirely mechanically controlled, but it's starting to sound like a new loom is going to be needed (at the same time as replacement glow plugs and relay, and all the rest - yay car bills).
Which brings me on to a conundrum: the diagrams I'm using (https://mercedes.7zap.com/en/eu/fg/car/e-klasse/e+300+diesel/44r/124191/m/606910/19t/54/0/120/0/0/?param=vin:wdb1241913f344590) seem to show that the loom/harness for the engine is part 1244404032, which matches with what I've seen elsewhere online. My puzzlement is because the part numbers for the glow plug connectors (which I'm assuming are 85 and 90, based on the diagram being the top left one) are different to what I've seen online.
It may be that I simply need to check in with the company/companies that make the complete harness (not sure if MB still supply it?) to confirm that what they can supply is right for my car. Given the complexity of the wiring - okay, it's not modern-car complex but I don't have an actual wiring diagram - I might have to bite the bullet and spend out again, rather than trying to work it all out myself and get something wrong.
In other news, I changed over the driver's side wing mirror, and it's a good improvement in looks and function (although the plastic cover seems to be marginally misshapen). I need to finish off the other side.
I also took out the sunroof headlining to see if I could refit it better, as it isn't attached to the sunroof panel on one side of the back end, so the tilt function doesn't lift it up properly. Didn't manage to sort that out and need some replacement trim clips for the front edge. But I did fit some Silent Coat to the sunroof panel, which has deadened some tinniness (but may make no real-world difference). The roof panel, further back, already has some SC attached, so clearly the headlining has been down at some stage.
I've just started to wonder whether the erratic rev counter may be due to a wiring short, too. It's all over the place, and has been for a few months. Presumably it won't affect anything as such, seeing that the engine is almost entirely mechanically controlled, but it's starting to sound like a new loom is going to be needed (at the same time as replacement glow plugs and relay, and all the rest - yay car bills).
Which brings me on to a conundrum: the diagrams I'm using (https://mercedes.7zap.com/en/eu/fg/car/e-klasse/e+300+diesel/44r/124191/m/606910/19t/54/0/120/0/0/?param=vin:wdb1241913f344590) seem to show that the loom/harness for the engine is part 1244404032, which matches with what I've seen elsewhere online. My puzzlement is because the part numbers for the glow plug connectors (which I'm assuming are 85 and 90, based on the diagram being the top left one) are different to what I've seen online.
It may be that I simply need to check in with the company/companies that make the complete harness (not sure if MB still supply it?) to confirm that what they can supply is right for my car. Given the complexity of the wiring - okay, it's not modern-car complex but I don't have an actual wiring diagram - I might have to bite the bullet and spend out again, rather than trying to work it all out myself and get something wrong.
In other news, I changed over the driver's side wing mirror, and it's a good improvement in looks and function (although the plastic cover seems to be marginally misshapen). I need to finish off the other side.
I also took out the sunroof headlining to see if I could refit it better, as it isn't attached to the sunroof panel on one side of the back end, so the tilt function doesn't lift it up properly. Didn't manage to sort that out and need some replacement trim clips for the front edge. But I did fit some Silent Coat to the sunroof panel, which has deadened some tinniness (but may make no real-world difference). The roof panel, further back, already has some SC attached, so clearly the headlining has been down at some stage.
There's a chap in the Merc Club who makes up new looms at a reasonable cost. You'll find him mentioned the forum there. Happily, the loom on the diesel is very simple compared to the petrol engine. The glow plug relays are definitely available at a modest price on the aftermarket. Mine runs a Beru job.
Ho hum.
Propshaft bearing ordered (£21ish, Febi, via eBay.... shortly before I found the same part for £14 after I ordered the) GP relay (£65ish, Febi, via Autodoc) on its way.
Tony Leach doesn't do diesel harnesses, so I'll await a response from Sileck and Kurth. I'm thinking I need a complete engine harness, which isn't part 1244404032 (I have no idea of the part number) and will doubtless be multiples of that cost.
Although I do have another harness incoming from my man in Latvia for €25. It's knackered, but should allow me enough spare connectors to plan my next steps.
Taking the harness out and sending for rebuild is an option, but not one I'm wild about as it disables the car for however-long, and driving it is giving me such much-needed enjoyment. Hmm.
Propshaft bearing ordered (£21ish, Febi, via eBay.... shortly before I found the same part for £14 after I ordered the) GP relay (£65ish, Febi, via Autodoc) on its way.
Tony Leach doesn't do diesel harnesses, so I'll await a response from Sileck and Kurth. I'm thinking I need a complete engine harness, which isn't part 1244404032 (I have no idea of the part number) and will doubtless be multiples of that cost.
Although I do have another harness incoming from my man in Latvia for €25. It's knackered, but should allow me enough spare connectors to plan my next steps.
Taking the harness out and sending for rebuild is an option, but not one I'm wild about as it disables the car for however-long, and driving it is giving me such much-needed enjoyment. Hmm.
Northbrook. Forgive a slightly challenging post, and feel free to tell me to mind my business, but can I ask the 'why' question? I've had a couple of 124s, including an estate, and am a fan of old Mercedes in general, but is this a fool's errand?
I have gone back to the start and re-read and know that that car was described as cheap, but have no idea what you paid. There have been some pretty hefty bills since and clearly it's taken a great deal of time and, one imagines, frustration and swearing to get to this point. So, is it worth it?
These can be fabulous old cars and I fully understand the appeal, but a slightly more expensive decent one is likely to be a more satisfying ownership proposition than something which appears never really to have run properly. Ever think about off-loading and starting again?
I have gone back to the start and re-read and know that that car was described as cheap, but have no idea what you paid. There have been some pretty hefty bills since and clearly it's taken a great deal of time and, one imagines, frustration and swearing to get to this point. So, is it worth it?
These can be fabulous old cars and I fully understand the appeal, but a slightly more expensive decent one is likely to be a more satisfying ownership proposition than something which appears never really to have run properly. Ever think about off-loading and starting again?
It's a fair (cop) comment, CdeG. The short version is that I think I enjoy driving this particular car more than any other I've owned...
[short break - I did very much enjoy the Mustang GT soft-top I had a while back in Florida, albeit it rained non-stop every time I got in the thing, and it was only a 24h hire. Likewise, the Infiniti QX80 was fun with the 5.6l V8, and I'm sure the Hertz Mustang would have been outstanding if I'd stumped up the £900 extra for the day's hire. Oh, and r129sl's W124 is a lovely companion for 2300 miles in 6 days. But, sadly, I owned none of these]
... but you're right - it has soaked up a fair bit of money, considering it appeared to have been well-loved by the previous owner. But 6 months of disuse won't have agreed with it, and he had had it 12ish years, so memories of "I did X to it" may have been further back in the mists of time than realised. With the car sitting on nearly 315k miles, I do think that it prefers being driven than standing still, but sadly at present the quality of my commute means that non-car is more sensible for most days (8mph is entirely achievable as an average speed, and it's not like I'm in a city).
In terms of moving it along, I think it'd only be worth roughly what I paid for it (marginally north of a grand) despite the time and money out in this year. If I'm lucky, once this round of work is done, I'll have a working car I'll have spent £Xk on, and it will look ~exactly the same~.
The idea of buying something else has occurred to me, but I'd be loath to move this car on, and I have no money left for another better car! Plus I value my appendages.
[short break - I did very much enjoy the Mustang GT soft-top I had a while back in Florida, albeit it rained non-stop every time I got in the thing, and it was only a 24h hire. Likewise, the Infiniti QX80 was fun with the 5.6l V8, and I'm sure the Hertz Mustang would have been outstanding if I'd stumped up the £900 extra for the day's hire. Oh, and r129sl's W124 is a lovely companion for 2300 miles in 6 days. But, sadly, I owned none of these]
... but you're right - it has soaked up a fair bit of money, considering it appeared to have been well-loved by the previous owner. But 6 months of disuse won't have agreed with it, and he had had it 12ish years, so memories of "I did X to it" may have been further back in the mists of time than realised. With the car sitting on nearly 315k miles, I do think that it prefers being driven than standing still, but sadly at present the quality of my commute means that non-car is more sensible for most days (8mph is entirely achievable as an average speed, and it's not like I'm in a city).
In terms of moving it along, I think it'd only be worth roughly what I paid for it (marginally north of a grand) despite the time and money out in this year. If I'm lucky, once this round of work is done, I'll have a working car I'll have spent £Xk on, and it will look ~exactly the same~.
The idea of buying something else has occurred to me, but I'd be loath to move this car on, and I have no money left for another better car! Plus I value my appendages.
harrykul said:
Sileck
I may have to go to the States sometime in the next few months, so it might be good timing. (I bet it isn't). Awaiting a response from Sileck at the moment, based both on recommendations from here and by Tony Leach at the MBOC.And you're right - there is a bond. Having expected to cover maybe 2000 miles in the year, I think it's more likely to be at least triple that.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Northbrook. Forgive a slightly challenging post, and feel free to tell me to mind my business, but can I ask the 'why' question? I've had a couple of 124s, including an estate, and am a fan of old Mercedes in general, but is this a fool's errand?
I have gone back to the start and re-read and know that that car was described as cheap, but have no idea what you paid. There have been some pretty hefty bills since and clearly it's taken a great deal of time and, one imagines, frustration and swearing to get to this point. So, is it worth it?
These can be fabulous old cars and I fully understand the appeal, but a slightly more expensive decent one is likely to be a more satisfying ownership proposition than something which appears never really to have run properly. Ever think about off-loading and starting again?
Stone him! Stone him! Bloody heretic.I have gone back to the start and re-read and know that that car was described as cheap, but have no idea what you paid. There have been some pretty hefty bills since and clearly it's taken a great deal of time and, one imagines, frustration and swearing to get to this point. So, is it worth it?
These can be fabulous old cars and I fully understand the appeal, but a slightly more expensive decent one is likely to be a more satisfying ownership proposition than something which appears never really to have run properly. Ever think about off-loading and starting again?
I've just had a good conversation with Sileck, and will be sending my car over there for a week or so. They can replace the loom - based on recently-acquired wiring diagrams, with reused connectors and new wiring - for ~£250 plus VAT supply-only, plus ~£120 plus VAT fitting, and will fit replacement glow plugs at the same time (as long as they're confident the plug won't snap, which is fair enough). They're also happy to fit the glow plugs and relay I already have, can test the current plugs in situ if they're reluctant to come out, to ensure no shorting out, and can test and possibly repair the old relay.
For a combined cost of about the same as a rebuilt glow plug harness only from Germany, it's pretty much a done deal. As long as that works, the propshaft bearing is the only other urgent mechanical work.
For now!
For a combined cost of about the same as a rebuilt glow plug harness only from Germany, it's pretty much a done deal. As long as that works, the propshaft bearing is the only other urgent mechanical work.
For now!
Before I forget, and in case it helps anyone else (in which case: hello, futureperson! Sorry you're having a problem with your car. Hope you get it sorted soon)...
Sileck did mention that LHD looms for these cars aren't directly plug & play, because the RHD vehicles have to have a longer cable run. Fine if you're buying a harness to harvest the connectors, less-fine if you're hoping to simply swap in a 'new' harness, as it's likely to be 7" too short.
And seven inches might not sound much, but....
Sileck did mention that LHD looms for these cars aren't directly plug & play, because the RHD vehicles have to have a longer cable run. Fine if you're buying a harness to harvest the connectors, less-fine if you're hoping to simply swap in a 'new' harness, as it's likely to be 7" too short.
And seven inches might not sound much, but....
I'm okay with CdeG being a voice of caution, chaps.
After all, I'm not going to listen, am I.
So his words of wisdom serve as a dramatic counterpoint to my ongoing foolishness.
And three-syllable words (or, indeed, joined-up-words comme ca) make me look clever, dunnit.
[This may explain why I'm throwing good money after good, and resurrecting a car that was having a perfectly nice rest, thankyouverymuch]
After all, I'm not going to listen, am I.
So his words of wisdom serve as a dramatic counterpoint to my ongoing foolishness.
And three-syllable words (or, indeed, joined-up-words comme ca) make me look clever, dunnit.
[This may explain why I'm throwing good money after good, and resurrecting a car that was having a perfectly nice rest, thankyouverymuch]
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