Purchased 1990 Mercedes Benz 420 SEL w/ homebrew AMG trimmings! LOL - Auto-Trend Repairs and Service Information Forums

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

RE: Purchased 1990 Mercedes Benz 420 SEL w/ homebrew AMG trimmings! LOL

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Just put a bid on an authentic period correct AMG badge to replace the current ///AMG badge.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMG-Mercedes-Pre-Merger-STYLE-VTG-Classic-W124-W126-W116-R107-emblem-badge-logo-/253002559110?hash=item3ae820ae86:g:-2YAAOSwOMdZSZku&vxp=mtr

Also thinking of removing the tacky ///AMG badges on the front lower trim panels and replacing it with them H&R stickers. Anxiously awaiting the rest of the front end parts.

Just got my tire balancer installed and anchored to the floor.. Getting ready to calibrate the unit right now. I'll be happy because nothing like a well balanced set of tires to keep that ride as smooth as possible. I have to admit, I think these springs are going to drop the vehicle quite a bit.. I will set a stock set of springs next to these in my W126 H&R spring installation thread. Mulling getting some new shocks... Not sure, I got lots of real nice factory ones.. I'll have to see how much different stock springs are to these 1.4 inch drop H&R units and I'll decide then.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Cool. There's nothing wrong with fitting new shocks, though your old ones may feel new, as they'll be resting / working in a new location. ( At least the plunger & body will ).

Often lowered spring-sets will come with compatible rubber cushions, that will be often much larger than the original rubbers. This may give you some height back.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

I am going to take height measurements before and after... all 4 wheel arches.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

You can always expect a few more millimeters lower again, should the 560 motor & trans find a home in there. It would be a heavier package for sure than the 420 coming out of it.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Yes I was thinking the same thing..

And some more good news, pre-merger AMG badge seller accepted my offer, so it looks like the improper ///AMG badge is now a wall ornament.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Got another box of goodies in the mail!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Well I got the last batch of parts this morning... Now with any luck I will be caught up on customer pay repairs and I can bring in the 1975 Stingray and the Mercedes to start doing some fun work!

Got my tire machine up and going, calibrated it with the 100g plumb weight and it works like a charm! Looking forward to taking the next month and getting the garage ready for winter.. read that as forced air heater, new hard airlines ran, insulation and hollowing out the roof to allow another 4 feet of lift. Hopefully the next few weeks will slow down a bit so I can get it all finished in time... Usually it does around this time as the weather starts to cool a bit. The last week felt like a heatwave with temps in the mid 90's!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Well, I got home excited to do the Mercedes only to find that miraculously, the steering rack on the Cadillac DTS was broken clean in half!

So I asked my oldest, WTF happened to the Cadillac? To which he responds, "I dunno Dad, maybe you turned the steering wheel too hard"? All this with a straight face...

Needless to say the Mercedes 420 was immediately re-instaed to daily driver status since I now have nothing but the Corvette and the weather has taken a turn for the worst. Good thing for me these old W126's are as reliable as they come and I haven't missed a beat, despite my "Turning the steering wheel too hard" in the Cadillac...

Now, to add insult to injury - my youngest went shopping for a Halloween costume with his Mom and come back with this outfit, obviously an effort to mock me...

Oh well, ordered a new rack, control arms and hub bearings for the Cadillac and I'll have to fix that... Meanwhile ole' reliable will be pimping out...

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

"Maybe YOU turned the steering-wheel too hard" ?...

You did mention that you were wondering what your boys were up to while you were on your vacation...I guess this a hint at some-of-the-stuff LOL !!!

IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE LOL !!!

I'd be contented with a broken steering rack I think...But to do that to it is a pretty hard knock, & it may well be time to pass-it-on once repaired...

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Yeah, I find it very odd and peculiar as well... but... what are you going to do.. Doesn't appear to be any rim damage, unless they thought to rotate the bent rim to the rear... noticed they switched the plate from the Cadillac to the Mercedes... So that was a bit odd... I think it should be fine once fixed as I picked up a lot of extra goodies such as wheel bearings, lower control arms and an entire rack with inners and outers with new stabilizer bar end links. Also, as I mentioned the tire balancer is up and running so I can balance out the tires real nice... I think it will be fine and besides, it's just for them really deep $hitty days so I don't have to plow snow with that AMG bumper and them new lowering springs.

On the bright side, at least the period correct AMG badge showed up!

No thanks to the kid I now have them H&R stickers that I wanted to put on the front lower fenders stuck on the side of a new soap bottle that I purchased for the tire machine... Just where I wanted it! THANKS! lol... can't have nothing.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Somehow I envision this when I think about what happened to the Cadillac while I was away...

You see, the guy just turned the wheel too hard... Same thing here

Meanwhile, several hundred dollars later -

I'm looking down the barrel of lowering the cradle to install this stuff.. jeez... one step forward, two steps back!

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

You don't mess around fixing stuff LOL !

The second clip ( Star Wars ) is almost believable....

The Mercedes looks pretty good in the photo...10-times better than the car in the back-ground with miss-matched paint-work !

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Thanks Rastus, that S-10 in the background is not my car... it was just a car in the parking lot where I first purchased the car in Redford.

It's been a real task catching up from my little "vacation" and I can only thank the Mercedes Benz engineers for the reliable beast for without it, right now I'd be walking or driving someone else's vehicle. I was just telling the wife that the W126 reminds me of the Terminator, in that it will keep going and going upon your command until one of you are dead. True story.

Each day as I am turning the customer pay wrench I have to look at all these glorious parts stacked in a pile in the garage. It's pure torture I tell you! LOL

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Well, in a pinch I installed just the rack and pinion with the outer tie rod ends... held off on the control arms and wheel bearings until I could get caught up.

So I get that done in record time and proceed to drive the car for two days and now the transmission has $hit the bed! lol! I must have REALLY turned that wheel hard! Seems she is now pumping transmission fluid out of the front transmission seal... So, lucky for me I happen to have one sitting in the corner ready for install out of a DHS parts car I purchased awhile back for center hub caps of all things! LOL, hey it was $50 each for the wheel covers of $300 for the whole car...

Still having major issues with the Mercedes Benz 420 SEL heater system and I have taken some photos of the ridiculousness that they call a W126 HVAC system... Apparently every single W126 build from at least 1986-up regardless if it's an American or European vehicle has a dual climate heater core.... Only thing missing to have dual climate control would be the duo-valve and some kind of regulation of it... Don't worry, I am not interested in dual zone climate control, or re-inventing the wheel but I'll soon be posting some pretty interesting HVAC photos in a separate thread...

So that's where we stand... So far the Cadillac has required 5 more repairs, and is still in need of yet another to be roadworthy. Meanwhile the Mercedes, while only having one side of the heater working (see my next HVAC thread), has managed to maintain a drivable state without any repairs... That's not to say it doesn't need some, just that it's able to carry on without leaving one stranded, albeit maybe a little cold on the drivers side... LOL

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

I have started a new thread for the Cadillac woes,

http://autotrend.activeboard.com/t64188508/2000-cadillac-dts-project-northstar-46-dohc-32-valve/

so it would appear the path of least resistance may end up being the Mercedes since the problems on that car have taken a real turn for the worst...

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Getting back on Mercedes topic, I am having a hell of a time with this climate system... Having to dig quite deep!

Basically, the heater problems on the Mercedes have reached full circle as my efforts to just bypass the entire mono-valve, pump and valve assembly to see if the core was plugged proved to be quite informative. In an effort to just get heat and see if the core was flowing coolant I tried to pump coolant from the engine port to one of the two lines that enters the heater core using a 90 degree fitting and plugging the other hose.. come to find out these damn W126 cars come with dual zone heater cores! LOL, they have two lines going in and one coming out of the bottom!

Here you can see the three heater core lines.. important to realize here is that most vehicles only have two. At this time I believe the two inlet hoses are on top and the return on the bottom however I may come to find out otherwise later. Keep in mind, this HVAC box shown in one of the many I have from donor cars and I took this one apart just to see how it worked and I was shocked to see these HVAC boxes don't really have a "blend air door" like most cars, rather the car relies mostly on the mono valve controlling or preventing flow to the core to regulate temperatures since the heater core and AC evaporator core are basically stacked upon on another.

Here you can see my handwork putting in a 90 degree elbow.

Here you can see the plug that was installed on the other hose to keep coolant from leaking.

In this configuration, with just the one side being hooked up, only the right hand side heat works which corresponds to the inlet position of the hose. So basically every Mercedes W126 is set up with a heater core for dual climate control! US versions however lack the second valve and controls to utilize this built in feature and I wonder if that is why the mono-valves are so problematic in this configuration.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Ended up doing some interesting test and then out of pure morbid curiosity I modified the mono-valve to provide FULL FLOW in the factory configuration. (Read this as the 90 degree T and plug was removed and put back to factory hose routing specs) It would seem the information going around the internet that the mono valve defaults to the "flow" or "heat" position by default is NOT TRUE. I have also harvested a mono-valve plug and coolant pump plug to command their operation to verify proper operation outside of the controller in the dash. My findings were inconclusive considering the complexity of the system and my own error. During the test I had a friend I was bullshitting with and totally forgot to remove the clamp pre-pump at the rubber hose to the right passengers side of the engine! LOL! Yeah, you have to be giving these cars your 100% undivided attention, worse than a woman at times.

That said, I have full flow to the core with the modified valve and 100% heat. It takes these cars an awful long time to heat up, and I wont argue that once these cars get warm it's very comfortable - HOWEVER, it is of my opinion that the flow at idle is inadequate for these cars to properly heat in high mode. I do intend to command the pump on in my next test, during idles, to see if that boost heat output. It would seem at normal driving speeds the heat is full and hot, which means the flow is being increased with RPM's and that the heater core isn't plugged or become coated.

Drove the beast to one of my favorite cruise spots, my hometowns Downtown Plymouth during the start of the ice festival. It was warm and there was a LOT of idling for extended periods making my way thru the small hometown city. The heat was adequate during idle at low, but could not keep up in defrost or higher blower speeds. Currently I have a 100% flow with the modified valve.

The modification to the mono-valve incase anyone is in need of immediate emergency heat is quite simple. Using a pair of diagonal cutters you carefully cut off the sreen portion including the center rod. Mind the diagram gasket not to tear anywhere around the outside sealing edges, since obviously this is what keeps your seal. The hole in the center is of no consequence and once removed 100% flow will be present to the core. Obviously this isn't ending here, more test are forthcoming but I can tell you this with rather certainty,

If you suspect just your controller is faulty you can test the mono-valve at the two prong connector on top of the mono valve. The way this system operates is such that the valve will always see power when the key is on, as the switch is at the ground. Applying ground to the ground will command this valve open should you want to try that first before modifying the valve.

I have a video of the operation of the valve with my commanding it opened and closed. I am eventually going to work my way to the control panel once I can control the system and am satisfied with the performance of the heater. I have more photos and I intend on condensing these test into a more specific thread without the brainstorming, trials and errors...

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Good work !

There is a selection of thermostats available for these engines, with differing full-open-temperatures...I'm pretty sure that the OEM specified standard thermostat is set at 87-degrees-C.

You could always try a hotter thermostat ! But you're always going to be struggling I think as the outside temperatures drop even further...The colder outside gets, the cooler the air coming-out of your heater becomes after a certain temperature.

I'd try using the fan recirculation setting for the vent-control-system ( if you're not already ) to see if there's an improvement, as then your reheating over 80% of the warmed-through air again.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

A hotter thermostat would not really be needed since 190 degrees seems to be what most all other cars run at without heating issues. Cadillac Northstar engines run over 200 degrees and sometimes my Mercedes will get over 200 (F), in the summer. I would not want to have to swap thermostats each season, but perhaps a new thermostat at stock temps would provide for a hotter temperature as it holds the coolant in the block longer with it's newer springs... But still, there is a reason they put that electric pump in there just before the heater core..

Haven't done much more driving since then, as I really need to get that new suspension and tires installed. After that I'd be more inclined to fidget with the heater as it's "adequate" at this time, but I feel it could be much hotter at defrost speeds while at idle. Funny part is, usually a bad mono valve will result in heat tapering off as the RPM's increased, but with the modified unit it gets hotter as RPM's increase rather than colder.

The fan recalculation is also an option but on these cars automatically turns off after awhile to keep you from dying of oxygen deprivation, lol - not even kidding!

Still, the problem of having next to NO HEAT has been rectified in this sub-zero weather, which is to say there is a simple way to get heat on these cars if you're relying on them as a daily driver. Converting back in the summer is as easy as putting in another mono-valve, which if you're buying the cheap ones you'll probably have to do anyway LOL! At least this way you save $10 and have good heat in the winter! Again, it's an emergency path of least resistance effort that can help you to confirm your heater core isn't clogged.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

There's a "hand-held laser temperature indicator" that you can buy for yourself that, will help you determine how your hot water is being circulated. ( I'm not sure of its regular name, but you hold it & use it like a gun ). All you have to do is point-it at a hose or component, pull the trigger, & it reads the temperature of what you're pointing at. This will help you determine how the cooling system is functioning...eg, You can point it at the top-radiator hose, & see what the coolant temperature is entering the radiator. And then you can point it at the lower hose, & see how effective your radiator is after cooling the water down by comparing the numbers. A/C condenser temps can be obtained too, & even if you have a fouled plug or defective cylinder, you can point it at the exhaust manifold, measure the temperature differences, & determine the faulty cylinder from the low-temperature given, when compared to the other cylinders....

I use them all the time at sea, as they help you whilst trend-monitoring, the log-book, & confirm how accurate local-gauges are, not to mention problems & blockages / leaks etc etc. Just point it, pull the trigger, & note the reading displayed.

I'd get one of these babies if you don't already have one ! They're not too pricey IMO, though they don't like accidents such as being dropped LOL !

-- Edited by Rastus on Tuesday 16th of January 2018 07:05:24 PM

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Yes Rastus, I have a hand held laser temperature sensor. Use it all the time...

I am pleased to announce that my "modification" to the mono valve was a success! Did actual highway driving tonight after I washed up the car.

Took it downtown Detorit to my favorite restaurant, Fishbones... Was a REAL nice ride - VERY WARM! Had quite a good time! If no one buys it I can't wait to feel how it rides with the new suspension.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Awesome.

Great photo's too.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Thanks Rastus! It was a real pleasant ride down-town... Again, if it doesn't sell I look forward to seeing how nice it rides with the new suspension and tires!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Well Rastus, no one ended up buying it... So I decided to blow another $160 on her and buy the drilled and slotted rotors for when it's all apart soon.

Guess I am going to keep her for a bit longer... Have a few more things to do with the other car but I should be digging into this one real soon. For now I am going to transfer over the tires off my 560 as they are new, but in the spring I may consider a knock off set of AMG Penta's in black to show off the rotors and new parts. They appear to be about $1200 a set brand new, but they also have people selling originals for about the same price too... Just don't know... I'd need a much better deal but I think the Penta's would look best with the early bumper and lower stance. I like the OZ's and Monoblocks, but something about them 5 star Penta's have really been growing on me.

Still doing test with the heater system, but for now the emergency heat trick seems to work good so I haven't really messed with it any further. We got a reprieve on the weather here but next week I should have temps low enough to be able to really test out the operation and how exactly it works. Once I have a firm grasp of how this system operates in the actual plumbing department I can start seeing what the climate control panel is saying.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Got my drilled and slotted brake kit in the mail today! They look good! Nice and heavy with pads and sensors!

I just have to finish the Cadillac so I have something else to drive before I take this one out of service. Currently it's pulling it's own weight hauling us around. That's one thing I have always admired about these old W126's.

fonzi · Guru Guest

I saw this and thought, this car looks priced to sell., and then put a few things together.

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F132587638860

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Yes, it's a super deal that I am running for the Tax return special. I even forgot to list the new drilled and slotted rotors I recently got for it, which I am going to add here in a minute!

Honestly I should spend the time and install all these parts but right now I could use the room in my driveway. Anyone looking for a great deal on a classic Mercedes with all kinds of pre-merger AMG parts and aftermarket goodies would be a fool to pass up the sale.

I also have the Cadillac up for sale since the weather is making a turn for the better and I look forward to getting back into my Corvette.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Just added in the front and rear drilled and slotted rotors with ceramic pads to the eBay listing,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-Mercedes-Benz-400-Series-SEL/132587638860?hash=item1eded6d04c:g:etUAAOSwJtdaTiyE&vxp=mtr

Had to boost the price up $200 as that is what I paid for the rotors, but for the guys in the forums you can make an offer of $3499.99 and it will auto accept and lock down the deal.

Glad you posted something as I totally forgot about the new drilled and slotted brake kit I had!

I'd have to say this is about the best price you will see for this car, about $3000-$6000 less than I'd be looking for once all the new parts are installed and paintwork done. I'll for sure be kicking myself later down the road if someone buys at this price! LOL

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Well, I thought for sure it was going to sell! LOL

Raised the price back up to regular asking of $6500. Guess this means that eventually I'll be installing the stuff myself.

Just wished I had a little bit bigger garage to fit both this Mercedes and my Corvette into... I'd really like to do it up something special, but I am not going to subject my Corvette to the elements to keep it garaged. That's my big issue!

I mean even when I clean it all up nice and pretty, the road dust and the fact this car is black means just sitting outside it's covered in a thick layer of dust within 48 hours... add in the rain, snow, slush, tree sap - and it's hard to justify getting carried away if I don't have a roof for over it's head. It honestly pained me to drive it this winter and I even got the heater working, it's just that clean inside.

Maybe my lazy ass just needs to work a little harder and get me a two or three car garage for my house this summer? That would be nice! Then I could treat this vehicle like it deserves to be treated!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Remember this poster?

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

The home-brew AMG sold today... Couple of younger guys picked it up and they seemed to know a thing or two about Mercedes although this would be the new owners first "flag-ship" Mercedes!

Gave him all of the goodies I have been collecting the past year and he seemed pretty excited. It's just what this old classic needed! They seemed to be interested in finding the side panels and rear bumper cover to complete the AMG kit so it would seem this car went into good hands! I gave them the best price I could too, actually losing a few hundred dollars but that's cheap given the fact I have enjoyed this classic for over a year now. Should they complete the kit and install the parts they are given they should be able to double their money. I'd like to have seen it thru till the end but my heart lies in the 560, not to mention I have to get this 1975 Stingray moving along. It's hard to part with the toys, but honestly my driveway was busting at the seams! So much in fact I still need to sell off two more cars!

Well, it was an honor posting about this car and buying the parts to further the cause. I honestly feel that these new young guys who purchased the car will be able to fully exploit the image of this car. So even though I lost about $200 (difference between what I paid for the car, parts and plates) I felt these guys had the passion and the youth to represent the marquee to it's fullest.

Ride on home-brew AMG 420! You will be missed!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Having a bit of 12 year old Black Label to wash down the passing.. lol

Everything will be okay... so long as no one buys Goldilocks.. cuz then I am stuck with the Blue 560 with no drivetrain.

I might need 18 year scotch if that happens... Feels something like this,

Not even kidding...

cry

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Congratulations SELLC, & congrats to the new owners too !!!

I'll enjoy a drink with you for sure to celebrate !

Ciao,

Rastus

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

You ever get stateside Rastus, I'll for sure buy at least 12 y/o Scotch for you!

I might add that this particular 420 SEL really saved me $60,000 when I was weak in the knees to buy a 2013 Escalade. It was the purchase of this 420 SEL that brought me down off that horse.

So really you could say this car saved me $60k! That is quite a statement! This 1990 SEL 420 Home-brew AMG quenched the thirst of a $60k desire!

Think that about wraps this thread up.

-- Edited by SELLC on Wednesday 25th of April 2018 02:47:26 AM

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

I miss this old girl... I should have kept it, so it way too cheap...

It's always easier to say that after the fact, but hey... I think the bumper alone was worth more than I sold the entire car for...

At the time, I had no idea "inflation" was coming...

You cant even pee on a fair W126 for under $10k now...

I was tempted to cut/part it... but sometimes you just have to pass them on. That was a nice one, didn't cost me nothing to own it but I didn't make any money on it either.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

STILL KICKING MYSELF IN THE ASS FOR SELLING THAT BLACK HOMEBREW AMG 420SEL!

Just thought I'd remind everyone.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Yo,

You probably have the right winter-car now with that new truck you acquired. The 420 was probably too-good a car to be treated as a winter vehicle. It did look pretty-good, & you replaced all the needed bits & pieces, so the new owner will be getting a great run out-of-it. And who knows, they may have fitted some Euro-logs at the least to get some free HP, & do the fake AMG badge some justice lol !

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

I should have at least snaked that AMG bumper... that was real! So was the wing on the back but it was a little rough/wavy.

The black interior was real nice too, but not heated. Had it been a 560 I'd probably have kept it... I never got around to putting on the springs or the brakes, and I let them go with the car because they were aftermarket and we all know how that goes. Lowering a 560 is a little more tricky but I like not having to worry about hitting the ground on inclines -- although I had to be careful with that front AMG bumper even with regular springs -- which IIRC were heated up with a torch to lower the stance of the car. It's been awhile.