2 things . . .
is the vacuum pump actually working . . . ?!
Are the hard vacuum lines okay, or are they split wide open . . . ?!
I don’t know how much replacement vacuum pump costs for the vehicle. An OEM vacuum pump for a Cummins was close to $800, I imagine there were many owners that were hoping the problem was an O-ring.
It’s pretty easy to rebuild those vacuum pumps . . . I’m talking about Harry’s Benz, not the Cummins you mentioned
A rebuild kit is reasonably priced, and I would spend a little time disassembling the pump and determining if a rebuild is in order, versus just giving up and springing for a replacement
Assuming the pump is even the problem
jtsanders Long Lost Magliozzi Brother
So far so good, long lost. I cleaned it up a bit and treated some of the rust first, then I took it to a shop where they got her started easily by bypassing the ignition system. Glow plugs were fine, which surprised me. The mechanic said she started right up and after she blew a little smoke, she purred along beautifully and ceased belching visible exhaust. I plan to bring her home soon. They are taking a look at the vacuum pump because the braking is strenuous.
That’s the kind of posts we want from you . . . updates, not mindless rambling :trollface:
I don’t drink, smoke, drug, no caffeine, nuttin honey. no y? don’t need to. driving my sweetheart around the shop’s parking lot today sent me on a trajectory bound for crazy clear blue skies. i’d forgotten what it’s like to step on a Benzi 300SD accelerator pedal and feel the mass of steel gently lunge forward like i’m driving a 62 ton M-1 Abrams on air. How do they create that sensation? Heavy duty suspension?
Anyway, the next step is to see if some one impersonating a mechanic might grant her an inspection sticker. she needs newer tires. but she shuts off with the key. they put a mega-tron 49/H8 in her. replaced broken brake lines, starter solenoid switch, bled air from fuel lift pump and injection pump, tested glow plugs-a.o.k., etc.
thanks to all for your patience, advice, tolerance and especially for
WESW.
To my one and only:
I’m going to Kansas City
Kansas City, here I come
I’m going to Kansas City
Kansas City, here I come
They got a crazy way of loving there
And I’m gonna get me one
Well, I might take a plane I might take a train
But if I have to walk I’m going just the same
I’m going to Kansas City
Kansas City, here I come
They got some crazy little women there
And I’m gonna get me one
What was required for the car to shut off with the key?
For that matter, did replace the ignition switch and/or the key in the end?
Nothin. Turning the switch to the off position with the original key shuts her right down. Didn’t replace the ignition switch. I may. For what I paid them, she’ll run at least to the inspection station. Have a relative who was an electrical engineer for Bell Labs. If he can stand to be in my presence for 30 seconds, I’ll record his instructions to diagnose and correct all her electrical issues. Did I mention, SHE IS RUNNING!!!
Might go with antique plates to avoid further inspections altogether.
I don’t want to call you a liar . . .
But a few days ago, you were complaining that the car did NOT shut off with the key
I question of if you have a push button to start the engine, how do you turn it off? was based on the claim that the key doesn’t work. I believe the key turns in the ignition but the engine did not crank in the start position. It seems they replaced the starter solenoid.
You certainly should want to call me a liar. I am one, for the record. I really own an old motor scooter and copy and paste anything that might appear to be on the level, hoping to fool as many as I can, just for the kicks.
If you wouldn’t mind locating this particular lie, the one where I said a key wouldn’t shut her off, I’d be forever grateful. I’ll need to work on my campaign to connive and dupe. I thought I had become pretty proficient at conning folks on the net. Oh well. Try, try again
(Picture of the real me from my youth, when I was sportin a stache, and kids had respect and called me by my proper title, Herr Schicklgruber.)
The key didn’t work to get the engine started. They put a starter push button in the dash and started her with it. Today was the first time I stopped by there and it started with the push button. I was happy, to say the least. Wasn’t sure she would ever start again.
I said to the mechanic, a good guy, is there another button to turn it off, or do you push this one again? He said, “No, the key shuts it off.”
Going back to page 31; Would you like to try the key? If you can get it to work, I’ll promise never to make another comment on here.
If the key rotates in the lock the key works. There was an electrical problem that prevented the starter from operating.
BTW the judge rides a scooter, there is no shame in that. I don’t recall what your daily driver is.
I think I’m wasting my time talking to this guy
First he says one thing, then he changes his story again and again
Not to mention his story is obviously missing lots of details
At least that’s how I see it
This guy is right up there with Robert, but for different reasons
Bottom line, it’s just too darn exhausting to carry on any meaningful conversation with both of them
If somebody wants to flag me for off-topic or abuse, fine
What I just said . . . it needed to be said
I think that if you really truly like the car, then any car is worth fixing and restoring. many people will tell you that you is crazy for putting money into a car to keep it running. Many people will tell you to just get new car. I am becoming of the belief that if you like your car then put the money into it. even if the car is old and needs work, I think it worth it because then you get to enjoy the car and also you are comfortable with what you drive. My car is getting close to twenty years old and everyone keeps bugging me to get new car or to only doing short drives with it. I disagree. The bottom line is if you like the car then put the money in so that when you turn the car on, it turns you on.
I think it was Volvo who said that if I got her running again, i wouldn’t enjoy the Benzi as much as I remembered, implying that my memories were a bit too unrealistic. Got to say, just driving her around the shop’s parking lot was better than my fondest recollections. Mercedes drive distinctly better than any other make, to me. The weight of the car, the responsiveness, the feel of the ground underneath the monster, the way I fit into the seat–all those things and more make the ride spectacular.
You got that right Hollywood. I bought this car used with 111,000 miles on it. Put 150,000 on it without many problems at all. A few things, but for a car with 260,00 plus miles, she performed well. There is no reason, now that I don’t have to keep her running as a daily used car, that over time I can’t learn to do more of the upkeep, you know? I’m not a gear head, (in case you hadn’t noticed) but I love fresh challenges and with so much information available on the net, maybe I can learn something about fixing up a car. The biggest concern I had was over trying to get her started. And she starts and runs! And sounds good! I would bet that if I sold her, someone else would be able to beautify her and get and keep her maintained. So, maybe I can learn to do those things. I’ve always wanted to understand how an engine works.
WESW
“I will! but I m not a mechanic and I know nothing about merecedes. I can t even spell Mercedes…”
My Dearest W, Again, I misunderstood the power of my attraction for you. Playing hard to get was the worst way to try to win your heart. My deepest and sincerest apologies.
As Robert Zimmerman sang,
“I seen a lot of women
But she never escaped my mind
And I just grew
Tangled up in blue”
T’won’t happen again babe!
COME HOME BABE!!
Will attempt to bring my (“second place love, SPL”) home tomorrow. Also, am seeking to get “Antique” plates for her. She likely meets the criteria to qualify and if she does, no more inspections. Tons of work to do, but she runs. SHE RUNS!
Well, here we go. I’m off to see the wizard, to retrieve the old girl and drive her home. Hopefully, I won’t make the evening news. “Nutcase drives ancient vehicle straight into air force base, clips 3 B1 Bombers setting off the largest nuclear explosion in history, which triggered a 10 mag. earthquake which spawned the largest tsunami ever recorded. The entire earth is shaking violently as the direct result of this moron driving his old beast.” And away we go!
My Glory. Home, safe and sound. Hit fewer cars, trucks, planes and ships than ever before. My Baby is the engine who thinks she can and almost does.
Buy a Silver Cloud to ride –
pack the tennis club inside –
trouser cuffs hung far too wide –
well it was up to me.
The rainy season comes to pass –
the day-glo pirate sinks at last –
and if I laughed a bit to fast.
Well it was up to me.
I. Anderson (who else?)