280 SLC has not been running for 9 years

Hi,

Yesterday I got me a '75 280SLC in very bad state. It is a project shall we say.

The engine has not been running for 9 years, and all this time it wa standing outside.

What can you suggest me to do before trying to start it? The owenr told me that it was running ok the lat time he took e ride in it. But all these years .... maybe de pistons are stuk? cilinders rusty?

Anyon? Or should I consult an specialist for this.

I am a newby in rebuilding cars. I am hoping to be able to do this whit a book in the hand...

Greetings,

Roland

Reply to
Roland Wolters
Loading thread data ...

I would rotate the engine by hand... with tools of course... to make sure the engine is free from siezing. Do this with spark plugs out... put some oil... maybe a teaspoon in each cylinder...

Change the oil Drain the gas and refill with fresh gas.

Crank engine with new oil after hand turn determine it is okay... Do not crank for more than 25 seconds each time... and starter must cool for at least 10 minutes before you do it again.

Replace spark plugs... and hope it runs.

Reply to
Tiger

What a challenge!

Remove the spark plugs and squirt a bit of oil into each cylinder. The spark plugs are at the bottom of wells so clean any dirt from the wells before removing the spark plug, dirt in the cylinders won't help.

This engine can be turned by hand - with a 27 mm socket onto the bolt on the crankshaft pulley. You can also try to turn it by putting a wrench onto the nut of the power steering pulley and using the drive belts to turn it. The project is viable if the motor can be turned by hand, otherwise you've probably wasted your money and should consider selling the car as parts.

If the engine turns, drain the oil and add new oil. It will need spark and fuel to run. Spark means the entire ignition system must work - from the key to the spark plugs. You must check each part if it doesn't start.

If this were my project I would CAREFULLY try to test run the engine by trying to start it using propane rather than gasoline. This approach by-passes the whole fuel system and any problems that system may have so you can first determine if the engine runs - or not - before investing time and money in the fuel system. As I wrote, BE CAREFUL for propane is a fuel and can burn you very badly if the engine back fires through its air intake while you are standing there feeding in propane. Work outside, not in a garage.

If the engine runs on propane you should then deal with the fuel system. Gasoline gets stale, after nine years it's useless so drain the fuel tank and do so so that the tank drain hole is at the bottom so any water is also drained. Add a small amount of fresh fuel and fuel system cleaner to help dissolve old fuel deposits.

You will probably need some new ignition parts as well as fuel system parts. This is where a professional M-B mechanic may be cheaper than you stumbling from one thing to another. But the engine should be running - even if badly - before you take it to a professional M-B mechanic.

Finally, you didn't mention the transmission. It too should work somewhat if this car is to be on the road again, otherwise the project is probably not economic. Automatic transmissions depend on clean oil to operate well, old thick oil will not let an automatic work well.

Above all, you should always remember that this old car is just an old junk and you should never risk your safety for it. The only thing you KNOW about it is that someone gave up on it nine years ago. Don't risk having it fall on you and don't risk driving it until an experienced M-B mechanic has checked the steering, brakes and the car's structure to ensure it doesn't fall apart on the highway. Your life is eversomuch more valuable than this old junk box, so with that somber warning start your project.

Reply to
T.G. Lambach

Thanks al lot. I will post a succes note here if it works...or not

Greetings,

Roland Wolters

Reply to
Roland Wolters

"T.G. Lambach" wrote in news:ZVr3d.125100$3l3.116197@attbi_s03:

Hi,

Thanx a lot for your time in writing your post.

Let be tell you something more about this car.

As a private business owner I work a lot with other private business owners. Preferably BIGGER ones in a money way. Needles to say I am the smaller kind.

One of those persons I do some work for is one with money. Real money, lives in a big big house and has several cars. This car he purchased 12 years ago as a fun car. At that time the cars got fixed from the problems it had then, and got a new paint job. Notice the word "fixed", "rebuild".

After a few years there was a problem with the brakes (more brake left then right) and the car did not get through the Dutch automobile inspection (APK) so he stored the car in a shed. As I said the guy owns several cars so this car got "forgotten". After a few years someone parked it outside and everyone thought as they saw the car "well that's a waste" but did nothing about it.

I come there on a regular basis, even refer to this guy as "friend" and everytime said to him "well that is a waste of a true beautifull car" and last month he told me I could have it and rebuild it for myself if I wanted to. Not as a commercial project, but for me.

So since last saturday I own this car. Now comes the challenge to try to get it on the road again. But I must say, getting to drive it is not the immediate purpose. working on it is.

So as you see, having to put a lot of time, money and energy in this car is not a problem. I planned to work about 1,5 - 2 years on it. To get my mind of work sometimes.

Greetings,

Roland

Reply to
Roland Wolters

Roland Wolters haute in die Tasten:

Living in Holland, you may be able to communicate in German. If so, take a look at

formatting link
which is the most important club for R/C107 owners in Germany. Mybe they can be helpful for you. Frank

Reply to
Frank Kemper

Actually that isn't that along at all... You should try listening to the other posters regarding the cleaning of the plug wells, and inserting a little oil into each cylinder.

Then you can try turning the engine with a wrench as recommended or with the starter by using a new battery or charger.

9 Years isn't going to hurt the internals of this motor if it really was in good shape before the storage.

Definitely get rid of the old gas if possible. and get some new high quality gas to start it with.

If you are daring, you could pour a couple of gallons of good gas into it, and jump the battery, and as a betting man, I say it fires right up...

Good Luck, Marty

Reply to
Martin Joseph

Martin Joseph wrote in news:2004092620590475249%mercedes@barknaturalpetcom:

Haha well I am not a betting man so I did it the longest possible way:

- cleaned, even rinsed the complete fuel system (tank, pump, pipes, injectors)

- new oil (full synth) plus oil filter

- new air filter, air intake system cleaned, even took valves (in the air system) out, cleaned, polished them. There was a spider in there haha

- new spark plugs including cables, and parts of the ignition.

- new battery

I First turned it over by hand, with the spark plugs out. Then I let it turn over on the starter a few time, while a buddy listened closely under the hood for strange sound. NONE!

Then we put all the sprakplugs inplace and started it. allmost the first turn of the engine it ...was running. And like a charm may I add. Only a little high rpm stationairy, and even after fixing that a little high on CO, but we are looking into that.

Goodnews is, it is running and we even took it for a drive (we do not live in a city, so we took the farmer's roads). Lovely.

Now let's focus on step2: getting de outside into shape...... where's my sandingpaper? :-)

Roland

Reply to
Roland Wolters

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.