Hello all!
New to the forum and Mercedes ownership. Although I started with German (VW), Swedish (Volvo) then I drifted to British cars (Land Rover), but now I am ready for some German Challenge.
Plenty SL's about, but I took a few months to follow the market and after reading all your excellent advise here on Benzworld decided the more challenging road: 1983 380SL with full service history, one owner, no rust at all, flawless interior, 83k documented miles - but here it comes: not been moved since 2004 and the seller has been trying to get it running to sell it - but did not succeed. Engine idles nicely but won't rev. Priced accordingly obviously.
Before buying I did scope the timing chain and it is double so sorted there. Engine is super clean inside. AC compressor kicks in but no cold air. All electrics apart from fuel gauge function (this is a hint!) It moves in all gears, but sputters.
Trailered it home and started digging in: Fuel pump setup is complete mess with oozing rubber hose bodged together recently - most likely by PO mechanic. Fuel pump looks new but is surging and howling. Fuel filler neck is a rusty mess. Proceeded to removed the whole rear fuel system and tank is total rusty mess but the tank filter/strainer is intact (and clogged). I think the mechanic tried to removed the tank strainer but could not get it out and then budged the hose with a copper pipe and some other hose - anyway it was dripping fuel..
Tank out now and turns out the filler neck pipe is cracked so I ordered a good used one ($700) and all the bits to restore the fuel delivery including new pump, filter all the hoses and the rest. Oh yeah the fuel sensor was rusted to bits, but my replacement tank comes with one fitted - hopefully all good. Maybe will arrive this weekend.
Given the symptoms I hope the fuel system on the engine is not full of varnish and crud - well we will see...
Ok that was the current status, now for the quick questions:
1. What would be the best fuel additive to clean the system. I was thinking to push a high dose on at startup.
2. While under there I noticed that rear torsion/stabilizer bar was loose. Seems that on both sides the links are disconnected. They are not expensive and I ordered new. Have not taken the wheels of but is this a common failure - I mean both sides? I can hinge the torsion bar up and down by hand...
3. The rear end looks a little saggy, is it common to renew the springs or is this just the car's stance?
4. Since the AC compressor kicks in, can I assume that the monovalve is a likely reason for my lacking AC? The AC operation is rather mysterious. Not very often I need to read an operating manual. Best source for the Monovalve repair parts?
5. I will do all the fluids and have been reading up on most, but the I am not that familiar with the AFT types. Is there a preference?
Thanks so far, I will be reporting back my progress and with more experience look forward to contributing to the discussion!
New to the forum and Mercedes ownership. Although I started with German (VW), Swedish (Volvo) then I drifted to British cars (Land Rover), but now I am ready for some German Challenge.
Plenty SL's about, but I took a few months to follow the market and after reading all your excellent advise here on Benzworld decided the more challenging road: 1983 380SL with full service history, one owner, no rust at all, flawless interior, 83k documented miles - but here it comes: not been moved since 2004 and the seller has been trying to get it running to sell it - but did not succeed. Engine idles nicely but won't rev. Priced accordingly obviously.
Before buying I did scope the timing chain and it is double so sorted there. Engine is super clean inside. AC compressor kicks in but no cold air. All electrics apart from fuel gauge function (this is a hint!) It moves in all gears, but sputters.
Trailered it home and started digging in: Fuel pump setup is complete mess with oozing rubber hose bodged together recently - most likely by PO mechanic. Fuel pump looks new but is surging and howling. Fuel filler neck is a rusty mess. Proceeded to removed the whole rear fuel system and tank is total rusty mess but the tank filter/strainer is intact (and clogged). I think the mechanic tried to removed the tank strainer but could not get it out and then budged the hose with a copper pipe and some other hose - anyway it was dripping fuel..
Tank out now and turns out the filler neck pipe is cracked so I ordered a good used one ($700) and all the bits to restore the fuel delivery including new pump, filter all the hoses and the rest. Oh yeah the fuel sensor was rusted to bits, but my replacement tank comes with one fitted - hopefully all good. Maybe will arrive this weekend.
Given the symptoms I hope the fuel system on the engine is not full of varnish and crud - well we will see...
Ok that was the current status, now for the quick questions:
1. What would be the best fuel additive to clean the system. I was thinking to push a high dose on at startup.
2. While under there I noticed that rear torsion/stabilizer bar was loose. Seems that on both sides the links are disconnected. They are not expensive and I ordered new. Have not taken the wheels of but is this a common failure - I mean both sides? I can hinge the torsion bar up and down by hand...
3. The rear end looks a little saggy, is it common to renew the springs or is this just the car's stance?
4. Since the AC compressor kicks in, can I assume that the monovalve is a likely reason for my lacking AC? The AC operation is rather mysterious. Not very often I need to read an operating manual. Best source for the Monovalve repair parts?
5. I will do all the fluids and have been reading up on most, but the I am not that familiar with the AFT types. Is there a preference?
Thanks so far, I will be reporting back my progress and with more experience look forward to contributing to the discussion!