Just bought a 190E

[GEP]

Hi I've just bought a 1990 190e in very very nice condition, even the electric headrests and a/c work!!

Not much fun driving it home in the hot north circ traffic jams though- the temp guage was slowly creeping to a whisker under the red zone every time I was stationary for more than a minute I resorted to putting the heaters onto max in an attempt to cool it a little- not sure if it achieved anything other than making me sweat like a pig. Found it to be the fan switch when I got home, bypassed it with a wire 'til tomorrow!

Anyway....

I want to change the autobox filter & oil because its a tiny bit notchy sometimes. any particular atf & method of changing I should be aware of?

My mate said something about a few fuses which corrode and cause grief, was he spouting rubbish?

Just can't believe how solid this thing is!

[bazking69]

A car from the era when Mercedes didn't cut corners...

[Johnboy Mac]

Your mate is correct.

Clean all the fuses & holders.

Check the OVPR (Over voltage protection replay)as these have a fuse inserted in the top. The relay is located to the left of the ECU's which are to the rear of the battery covered by a black plastic cover. I understand if the OVPR gives trouble you'll notice poor running etc.

Personally, I'd replace the OVPR and the FPR (Fuel pump relay)regardless as a preventive measure, they will pack up at some stage.

Since your replacing the fan switch consider flushing the coolant system, back flushing the heater matrix (well worth doing),replacing the thermostat and adding fresh engine coolant, a new rad cap might be a good idea too.

Check out the Mercedes 190.co.uk club site - all the info you need plus a very helpful bunch of members.

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Monday 10th August 12:51

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Monday 10th August 14:33

[chrisr29]

As mentioned, check the fuses. There's one that feeds the cooling fan. it's prob just corroded. Can't remember which number it is but it sits next to the one that feeds the instruments. If they both go you can over heat and not know about it......till it's too late!

[GEP]

Cheers people.

I've got worringly into old mercs, can't help but wonder what those 5.0 litre SEC's are like now

Edited by GEP on Friday 14th August 19:42

[wrighty78]

Ah - good choice! I bought one just a couple of months ago as the daily driver. Wonderfully solid car. I've spent a few hours in mine today, and wafted along about 150 miles in beautifully relaxed solitude.

Mine runs a little lumpy from time to time. Have changed plugs, leads, dizzy cap and rotor arm (all of which looked like they'd been on for years) which has helped a bit. Next step is fuel pump relay.

Enjoy it!

[Pentoman]

wrighty78 said:

Next step is fuel pump relay.

Don't bother - that just makes it randomly cut out (common problem every car seems to get it once - probably the only thing that'll really leave you stranded in an old Merc!) but won't cause a funny idle or anything. It's a relay, so by definition just an on/off function, no in-between .



Yes the fuses/terminals corrode, if you're not a cheapskate you could just replace all of them for peace of mind. However the engine fan is not electric so am fairly sure this'll be nothing to do with fuses. Fan is mechanical and clutched in by the fan switch, a.k.a. a thing at the front with usually 2 prongs. A new fan switch is something like £11 but good for peace of mind. Temp will hit 110 in traffic but should not go to less than 3 or 4 millimetres from the red zone and certainly shouldn't hit red. Even after 3 years I get a sweat on when I see the guage go that high, but it always always comes back down when the fan decides to cut in. I have had 2 190s and both panicked me the first time I sat in traffic. By the way when the fan cuts in you can tell - rev the engine and it will sound like a hoover at high revs. You also lose about 30hp and can feel it. As long as the fan comes in the temp should be alright. Finally I don't recommend a GSF/other supplied fan switch as the one I got was on ALL the time over 70 degrees, which mean the car had no power.

The S-class/SEC has a much nicer interior quality, more space and nice chrome bits, however it doesn't have the multi link rear suspension but still drives pretty nicely. The engines are a bit more low tech too so I don't think the hp/litre or torque curve is as good, but then I've only actually driven one really old 380 model. And.. MPG... surely not a sensible every day car!

[r129sl]

GEP said:

I've got worringly into old mercs, can't help but wonder what those 5.0 litre SEC's are like now

It's a disease. And it gets progressively worse... I've got a 500 SEC (and a SL500) and I can confirm what Pentoman says: built simply and well, it is wonderful and strong, but handles in a rather old-fashioned way and drives lazily. It attracts a lot of admiration.

Interestingly, I want a 190E for commuting. I would prefer a really loaded 190D 2.5 in smoke silver over mushroom with a/c. Any one got one?

[Kinky]

r129sl said:

Interestingly, I want a 190E for commuting. I would prefer a really loaded 190D 2.5 in smoke silver over mushroom with a/c. Any one got one?

You can have mine - but it's a 2 litre petrol.

I'm chopping it in for a new car and have been offered £525 for it as a trade-in - anything above that and it's yours

If you are interested, then I'd better hurry up, as it's going in the next week

[LHD]

Kinky said:

r129sl said:

Interestingly, I want a 190E for commuting. I would prefer a really loaded 190D 2.5 in smoke silver over mushroom with a/c. Any one got one?

You can have mine - but it's a 2 litre petrol.

I'm chopping it in for a new car and have been offered £525 for it as a trade-in - anything above that and it's yours

If you are interested, then I'd better hurry up, as it's going in the next week

What you getting instead K?

[Kinky]

LHD said:

What you getting instead K?

Promise you won't laugh .... an Alfa 147

All change due to a change of circumstance .... just wish it had happened 2 months ago

Ho hum.

To be honest, I can't be arsed with all the aggro of advertising it. I've got a price I'm happy with as a trade-in.

[LHD]

Kinky said:

LHD said:

What you getting instead K?

Promise you won't laugh .... an Alfa 147

All change due to a change of circumstance .... just wish it had happened 2 months ago

Ho hum.

To be honest, I can't be arsed with all the aggro of advertising it. I've got a price I'm happy with as a trade-in.

As long as it's not a Selespeed you should be ok.

To be honest, it's not bad money for it. If it had done slightly less miles i'd have been down to Sunningdale with a fistfull of Scottish tenners to have it off you.

The 147 isn't a bad car, just make sure the electrics are all ok.

[Kinky]

LHD said:

Kinky said:

LHD said:

What you getting instead K?

Promise you won't laugh .... an Alfa 147

All change due to a change of circumstance .... just wish it had happened 2 months ago

Ho hum.

To be honest, I can't be arsed with all the aggro of advertising it. I've got a price I'm happy with as a trade-in.

As long as it's not a Selespeed you should be ok.

To be honest, it's not bad money for it. If it had done slightly less miles i'd have been down to Sunningdale with a fistfull of Scottish tenners to have it off you.

The 147 isn't a bad car, just make sure the electrics are all ok.

Nope - not a selespeed And will be 100% warranted ... I've had 2 Alfas before so know the score

[LHD]

Kinky said:

LHD said:

Kinky said:

LHD said:

What you getting instead K?

Promise you won't laugh .... an Alfa 147

All change due to a change of circumstance .... just wish it had happened 2 months ago

Ho hum.

To be honest, I can't be arsed with all the aggro of advertising it. I've got a price I'm happy with as a trade-in.

As long as it's not a Selespeed you should be ok.

To be honest, it's not bad money for it. If it had done slightly less miles i'd have been down to Sunningdale with a fistfull of Scottish tenners to have it off you.

The 147 isn't a bad car, just make sure the electrics are all ok.

Nope - not a selespeed And will be 100% warranted ... I've had 2 Alfas before so know the score

Do you ever sleep K?

[Kinky]

LHD said:

Kinky said:

LHD said:

Kinky said:

LHD said:

What you getting instead K?

Promise you won't laugh .... an Alfa 147

All change due to a change of circumstance .... just wish it had happened 2 months ago

Ho hum.

To be honest, I can't be arsed with all the aggro of advertising it. I've got a price I'm happy with as a trade-in.

As long as it's not a Selespeed you should be ok.

To be honest, it's not bad money for it. If it had done slightly less miles i'd have been down to Sunningdale with a fistfull of Scottish tenners to have it off you.

The 147 isn't a bad car, just make sure the electrics are all ok.

Nope - not a selespeed And will be 100% warranted ... I've had 2 Alfas before so know the score

Do you ever sleep K?

On Thursdays

[muckymotor]

This is mine, an ebay purchase at £330. It was bought mainly to commute in as I'm getting lazy when it comes to changing gear. also great for leaving at places overnight where I wouldn't want to leave my main car.



As has already been mentioned the OVP can cause running problems. The solder on the printed circuit board cracks and needs resoldering. I did this to mine and the difference was amazing, much easier starting and smoother idling.

[wrighty78]

Pentoman said:

wrighty78 said:

Next step is fuel pump relay.

Don't bother - that just makes it randomly cut out (common problem every car seems to get it once - probably the only thing that'll really leave you stranded in an old Merc!) but won't cause a funny idle or anything. It's a relay, so by definition just an on/off function, no in-between .

Well mine does randomly cut out - although only approx once a week at the moment. Usually having come off the accelerator and braking to a halt to let someone cross a zebra crossing. Actually, it's usually the same zebra crossing... hang on... I think I've found the cure! No more stopping at zebra crossings for me!

Seriously though, any ideas to resolve it would be much appreciated.

Someone suggested just shorting out a couple of the relay pins so that it was always "on". Surely there must be a downside to this? Running too rich / crap mpg? Flooded engine or something?

[190E Matt]

I am also suffering from the dreaded fan switch problem

[r129sl]

£300!!!!

[chrisr29]

Pentoman said:

wrighty78 said:

Next step is fuel pump relay.

Yes the fuses/terminals corrode, if you're not a cheapskate you could just replace all of them for peace of mind. However the engine fan is not electric so am fairly sure this'll be nothing to do with fuses. Fan is mechanical and clutched in by the fan switch, a.k.a. a thing at the front with usually 2 prongs. A new fan switch is something like £11 but good for peace of mind.

The clutch is electromagnetic and has it's own fuse. I discovered this when all instruments on mine died and traced it to a blown fuse. Whilst investigating I found that the instrument fuse sits next to the fan fuse.....which was also corroded to buggery and could've only been a day or two from going as well. Was jusy as well I sorted the prob and didn't just 'live with it' like I do with most things on the old girl