[KCM]

Have a 560SL and was wondering if it is worth the money to carry one of each as spare parts. What are the chances I will need these parts assuming the car has the originals? They are a little pricey and I don't trust the El Cheapo brands.

What started me thinking about spare parts is that last year my car had a strange thing happen as I was driving at highway speeds. The engine felt as if it just shut off, tach slowly dropped, then when I pulled off to the side of the road, it was idling perfectly. A few minutes later took off and it hasn't acted up since. At the time was thinking it might have vapor locked due to some suspect gas that might have had ethanol. But recently thought it might be the fuel pump relay acting up.

Thanks.

 

[Aussiemerc]

I've needed 1 of each in 19 years. Both about 5 years ago.

 

[nobby]

Have a 560SL and was wondering if it is worth the money to carry one of each as spare parts. What are the chances I will need these parts assuming the car has the originals? They are a little pricey and I don't trust the El Cheapo brands.

What started me thinking about spare parts is that last year my car had a strange thing happen as I was driving at highway speeds. The engine felt as if it just shut off, tach slowly dropped, then when I pulled off to the side of the road, it was idling perfectly. A few minutes later took off and it hasn't acted up since. At the time was thinking it might have vapor locked due to some suspect gas that might have had ethanol. But recently thought it might be the fuel pump relay acting up.

Thanks.

I don't have an OVP in my car but I do carry a spare FPR. I bought it used and confirmed it's reliability but using it for a week.

If you are a grocery getter then maybe you shouldn't worry....but if you take road trips then it's handy to have the stupid little parts that Joe's Garage in Yawnville won't have lying around.

I also carry a spare alternator and fuel pump.....two things I have never touched in 10 years of ownership.

 

[rowdie]

Have a 560SL and was wondering if it is worth the money to carry one of each as spare parts. What are the chances I will need these parts assuming the car has the originals? They are a little pricey and I don't trust the El Cheapo brands.

What started me thinking about spare parts is that last year my car had a strange thing happen as I was driving at highway speeds. The engine felt as if it just shut off, tach slowly dropped, then when I pulled off to the side of the road, it was idling perfectly. A few minutes later took off and it hasn't acted up since. At the time was thinking it might have vapor locked due to some suspect gas that might have had ethanol. But recently thought it might be the fuel pump relay acting up.

Thanks.

Member since 2004 and you have not taken the time to complete your profile? Location and vehicle w/year please.

 

[cwmoser]

I've owned my 1983 380SL for 32 years and have never had
a Fuel Pump or Overload Relay failure.
My SL only has 44K miles and is garage kept.
Certainly its not something that is likely to fail because of age like a lot
of rubber parts on these cars, but like Nobby stated it would be good to have if
you drive your SL on long excursions.

 

[wbain]

It's actually 'Overvoltage'. There is a 23 volt zener diode inside that conducts at 23 volts and up to energize the internal relay and blow the fuse supplying power to various electronics. This is done so reversed jumper cables will not destroy the ECU.

 

[aroundthescenes]

most of us on the 126 forum have a get home box in the trunk, has a OVP, FPR and ICV and Idle control box as spares. I also carry fuses. All these items were cold soldered and do get cracks. There is someone on the 126 board who does a great job of resoldering them if you send him your old broken one.