[DCvision]

First I would like to thank the members of this forum for the important archive of posts in this forum. Even before I found my Mercedes Benz, I spent many hours investigating different problems and situations with these great automobiles, and all the posts, even from 10+ years ago, have been very helpful... I found my 1988 560 SEL a few blocks from my house sitting in a side yard. For months, the car just sat, until on a while I looked up the property owner's name and wrote them a letter stating if they ever wanted to sell, I'd be interested. Two weeks ago, the owner's daughter called, turns out our families had a lot in common, and I told her that I couldn't offer very much for the car, based on it's condition and the amount of work it would take to make it a reliable daily driver. She said she would talk to her father, she did, he accepted, and now I have a project in my driveway! 94K miles, 1 owner, all original interior and carpets, Becker radio. I've only evaluated the interior, engine bay, and under the car back to about the end of the transmission pan. It looks to be well maintained, belts are in good condition, front flex disc is excellent, overall mechanically very good shape.
Right now the starter isn't engaging, I haven't had the time to properly trouble shoot it, to see what she'll run like..

I don't have a time frame, hoping to get it tagged by January 1st of next year, when it is eligible for an "Antique" auto tag from FL.. as I mentioned, I just want a reliable daily driver...and yes, my wife does believe I have a hole in my head..

As I said.. much thanks for all the advice and information...

I'll keep this folder updated as things go... https://flic.kr/s/aHskWqAMNX

 

[GreenT]

Welcome DC, nice find. I hope you stole it because it will need lot's of work.

Is that Kendall?

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Welcome to The Machine DC, yeah I hope too that you stole it (mold all over the interior and no-start issue). One item to check (and likely go ahead and replace) the rubber fuel lines under the hood, probably cracked and brittle from the So Fla heat and they are 25 years old, don't take a chance on a car-b-que

 

[DCvision]

Thanks for the replies... and yes, Very Much Stolen... I have more into it for title fees and new keys.
Not Kendall, Coral Gables.. The interior has cleaned up really well, mold responded to straight white vinegar and a wipe, been treating the rest of the leather to twice weekly leather treatment and cleaning. I am wary of all the rubber parts due to age, but have been generally pretty happily surprised at the condition of hoses and belts. It appears that even though the previous owner didn't drive it very much in the last 10 years, he didn't scrimp on maintenance.. First order is to eliminate water intrusion due to the rust hole next to the rear window just to the left of the gas door.

Once again, thanks...

 

[flosshilde]

Yes this is a problem , even in Australia. It has to be fixed properly as the ingress spreads along the rear window. It is fixable and there are threads on here. My 91,420 was similar to yours, I've spent $8500 over the last 6 years to keep it at daily driver level but then like you I paid virtually nothing for it. Now at near 400,000 kms still a beautiful drive.

 

[dieseldad]

Looking forward to your adventure. I also have an 88 560SEL. It was nicely stored in a warm dry garage for about 10 years. Body/interior are very nice but has had a few mechanical issues to deal with. I second the advice on engine compartment fuel lines. I've replaced mine along with all the fuel lines in the rear. I'd also suggest draining and removing the screen from the fuel tank. If there's crud in there, then you'll need to remove the fuel tank and clean it. I had to do that to mine. Vacuum lines are another thing to check/replace in the engine compartment. I've replaced all mine. How long was your car sitting?
-David

 

[dieseldad]

Looking forward to your adventure. I also have an 88 560SEL. It was nicely stored in a warm dry garage for about 10 years. Body/interior are very nice but has had a few mechanical issues to deal with. I second the advice on engine compartment fuel lines. I've replaced mine along with all the fuel lines in the rear. I'd also suggest draining and removing the screen from the fuel tank. If there's crud in there, then you'll need to remove the fuel tank and clean it. I had to do that to mine. Vacuum lines are another thing to check/replace in the engine compartment. I've replaced all mine. How long was your car sitting?
-David

 

[DCvision]

I had my eye on it for at least 6-8 months with not much movement.. my research showed that it had only been driven 6-8K miles in the last 10 years.. This weekend I am going to try and pull the starter and trouble shoot why it isn't working.

 

[GreenT]

It's posted in the front but just in case you don't have it...


https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12253/disc 2/program/matrix.htm

 

[dan87951]

Very cool project you have there! It always amazes me that someone who would spend that kind of money on a car new would just let it decay like that! I would drain the gas tank and replace all the fuel lines. While your in there definitely go over the whole car and give it new fluids before you start it. Good luck with the project and hopefully she doesn't give you too much trouble! I'm still looking for my W126, all the ones I have seen are pretty ratty with big asking prices so I passed on them. Someday the right W126 will come along.

 

[DCvision]

rear undercarriage investigation...

got some creeper time this afternoon, and checked out the underside of the rear of the car. Interesting, and will have a question or two at the end of the post. The fuel pumps seem to be in rough shape externally, but the filter and the feed hoses seem new. The axle boots are in better shape than I could have hoped for, but they do look like once the car hits the road they won't be long for this world.
The differential had a fair amount of leakage, but I'll wait to get it cleaned and determine how bad leakage is. Brake lines look decent, and I haven't pulled the rear wheels yet to look at pads and emergency brake operation/condition. The rust spot at the rear window got steel wheeled yesterday and today I put a quick coat of etching primer to keep the rust from reforming until everything is under control.

My question involves a right angle "object" that runs from the tank (guessing) to the fuel pumps. Prefilter? easily to replace?

Like I said, I'm pretty happy with what I've seen.. nothing that looks super crazy that I won't be able to do "DIY"

I'm a photo guy, so there will be lots of updates.. also to my flickr page.. https://www.flickr.com/gp/dcvision2006/RQjr74

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

If you are talking about the part in the 3rd pic, it is on the left side of the tank yes ? If hooked up correctly that is the vent valve to the charcoal canister up front. There is an accumulator (#26) over at the pumps that hooks up between the "F" pipe/fitting (#89) on the main feed from the tank over to the metal line at the filter (#119)

Oh, I looked at your flicker pics, noticed the boots on the lower balls joints are gone. Since these cars don't have grease fittings just replacing the boots won't work, all that dirt and rust in there, if they aren't worn out, they soon will be. A fairly easy fix if you can find a shop with the joint press (yeah, it's available for 600 bucks) but a good Benz indy shop will have one. Mine were swapped out for 50 bucks and 1/2 hour of his time

 

[mclare]

PM me your email and I'll send you the manuals and a bunch of other handy docs I've amassed over the years.

 

[DCvision]

Thanks for the diagrams.. this Sunday I drained the tank by undoing the clamp at the fist pump. (turns out its one end of the F pipe you mentioned..) But now I've got a slow leak further up the F pipe that I will have to go in and tighten up.. I still haven't verified pump operation, I'm waiting on an order of fuses to completely replace all the fuses in the box. I'm not surprised about the lower ball joints.. as soon as I saw them I mentally added them to the "to be replaced" list...

Thanks..

Photos:
bare fuse box (with one old fuse end stuck in the reciever... took a tiny screwdriver to pop it out...)
Original tool kit
pulled a lugbolt and found this little guy.. I just hope Mom isn't around...

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Without actually being there to look see . . . . The main feed from the tank is hose #71 (feeds the "F" fitting) which screws into the tank screen (not pictured) which screws into the bottom of the tank. I replaced all the rubber lines and the screen on both cars, former SE and the Coupe. Next time if the pumps are working you can pump the tank dry by taking a line loose at the engine into a gas jug and jumping pins 7 and 8 in the fuel pump relay socket.