Waking up my 280SL

I have a 68 280SL automatic that I have had in storage for 5-6 years. It is a beauty and I want to revive it for weekend driving. However, I am unsure what fluids it uses, and where they are filled in the motor. It has a history of a slow leak for trans fluid/power steering fluid.

My questions are:

Are the transmission fluid & power steering fluid using the same fluid and reservoir?

I also want to put a clean oil change in place. Where does the oil filter reside in the engine? I believe it is filled via the large cap on top of the motor.

Both of these items have always been a mystery to me.

Thanks so much for all replies.

Reply to
Steve - 68 280SL
Loading thread data ...

It might be an idea to get your self a manual for the car, specific to servicing it at home. It should atleast guide you step by step on how to do the various jobs, untill your familar with it and can do it with your eyes closed.

Reply to
TPr

Let me say if you have difficulties figuring out where the engine oil filter is, or if the transmission fluid reservoir versus power steering is a bit gray area, I'd suggest to find a friend who could help and look after the job or get very familiar with the stuff from the user manual.

Reply to
Anonymous

Yes.

Can't remember off hand; I have 3 of these engines. But it's kinda hard to miss it's a big cylinder.

You'll also need to remove and replace the brake fluid and the brake soft lines which have now expired (they date coded and only good for 5 years)

Pray the master cylinder and caliper seals still work, they HATE to sit.

Right off the bat you should be more worried about stopping than going in a car with nearly 40 year old brake hydraulics. Most people would replce the calipers, M/C, booster and soft lines on principle when the car got to this age.

Reply to
Richard Sexton

Suggest you check-out and join

formatting link
where you will find a discussion forum with specific answers to questions on your car plus much more info from experts and enthusiasts of that car. The oil used isn't any different as most other MB engines. I use regular oil for the car and regular ATF for the power steering and auto tranny. The power steering reservoir is a round cannister located near the power steering pump. You can unscrew the knob on top and lift the cover to check the level (there is a mark). The auto tranny dipstick is on the left side near the firewall, close to the exhaust manifolds. It has a round cover, usually painted red. I forget where the engine oil dipstick is. The important rule is to never overfill the tranny with ATF.

Reply to
corix

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.