From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Tue Apr 3 09:29:51 2007 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Tuesday, April 3 2007 Volume 01 : Number 2433 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] snow, popcorn and fotos Re: [db] snow, popcorn and fotos Re: [db] snow, popcorn and fotos [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. Re: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. Re: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. Re: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 21:09:42 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] snow, popcorn and fotos had snow this morning... didn't stick, but interesting... latest we've ever seen snow here... latest before was mid-march. we've been mowing the lawn for a long time... :) intermingled vehicles with pictures over the last few weeks... http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/04-April-2-Snow/ALL.html some older pictures... http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-31-MtVernon-macaw-Jeeps/ALL.html http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-22-misc-jeeps-scenes/ http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-1-Snow/ALL.html You'll notice an "extra" vehicle in my drive in the current snow pictures... test driving a 2000 ML320... also getting quotes on getting the 6.2L Diesel swapped into Omega (the '91 Grand Wagoneer)... I've got no time with grad school, garden work and so on... the ML320 is in perfect condition, not a flaw, low miles... been researching the issues the model has. Respected friends with similiar models have recounted horrific tales of electrical woes, which are also found on the internet. But it seems that 2000 is a bright spot in the midst of all of this... finding posts on the internet to match the owner's experience and the reports from wrenches and parts departments. Talked to the dealership today, they confirmed that the earlier years were a serious problem, but seemed to think that the '00 was fine... ran the VIN and noted one outstanding recall, but to wait on it (catalytic converter). Talked to some mechanics, same story... seems like a year's difference makes a difference... still quite cautious. :) The engine seems easy enough to get to in the ML. Actually might be easier to work on than my 300D for some things. Checked on fog lights and other goodies... things seem to fall in place... very tempted... the interior of the ML320 is the nicest I've ever seen. Fit and finish is superb. Included comparison shots of the interior in today's snow pictures. :) Controls aren't laid out perfectly, but they're not bad. The seats are way better than the 300D, but not up to the level of comfort as the WJ. Waiting to see what the economy will be like. My wife won't let me drive a WJ... 14 to 15 mpg is not in our budget... if the ML gets 17 to 19 mpg commuting it'll make sense... wife isn't opposed to the idea... Mid-20's on the freeway seemed possible. So, it'll all depend on the quotes to have the 6.2L installed in Omega, and the economy of the ML. I may put Omega up on Ebay to see if he'll sell for enough to get the ML... of course if I do that then I can't put the 6.2 in Omega... :) Not sure I'd be real sad if Omega found a home... would solve a problem... the main problem is all the work I want to do to customize Omega so it's as nice as an ML. ;) Of course that would solve also the problem of whether or not to put the 6.2L in Superdawg... Superdawg will get a new 4.2 if Omega gets the 6.2... (out of popcorn yet? ;) Of course if Omega sells, but not for enough to get the ML... well... that wouldn't be the end of the world either... Omega has a lot of cool features... (munch, munch) got in touch with Curtis, he's sick... sounded terrible... he's thinking about the swap as well... going to give me a quote if he can do it in a few weeks. I'm leaning toward selling Omega and Shadowfax and getting the ML320. I've been warned of the electrical problems but feel that I can deal with them since the car is in such good condition and the engine and transmission are reportedly bulletproof. It's just things like alternators, heated mirrors, controllers and so on... I'm thinking that some good filters, tranzorbs and shielding might eliminate any future issues... so, the plan is still 6.2L Diesel into Omega, 4.2 into Superdawg and the '99 WJ. if the quotes for the 6.2 conversion are too much, and the fuel economy on the ML is good, then the net fleet will be: 6.2L into Superdawg, the '99 WJ and a '00 ML320. the '48 CJ-2A will probably stick around no matter what happens. ;) john ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 22:12:20 -0700 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: Re: [db] snow, popcorn and fotos Actually, that recall has been done, but they deliberately left it open, to leave it covered by the company if cracks do develop (none at the time, if I recall correctly). (At least, this is what the service guys told me at the time.) On Mon Apr 02, 2007, John Meister wrote: > > had snow this morning... didn't stick, but interesting... latest > we've ever seen snow here... latest before was mid-march. we've been > mowing the lawn for a long time... :) > > intermingled vehicles with pictures over the last few weeks... > http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/04-April-2-Snow/ALL.html > some older pictures... > http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-31-MtVernon-macaw-Jeeps/ALL.html > http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-22-misc-jeeps-scenes/ > http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-1-Snow/ALL.html > > You'll notice an "extra" vehicle in my drive in the current > snow pictures... test driving a 2000 ML320... > > also getting quotes on getting the 6.2L Diesel swapped > into Omega (the '91 Grand Wagoneer)... I've got no time with grad > school, garden work and so on... the ML320 is in perfect condition, not > a flaw, low miles... been researching the issues the model has. Respected > friends with similiar models have recounted horrific tales of electrical > woes, which are also found on the internet. But it seems that 2000 is > a bright spot in the midst of all of this... finding posts on the internet to > match the owner's experience and the reports from wrenches and parts departments. > > Talked to the dealership today, they confirmed > that the earlier years were a serious problem, but seemed to think that the > '00 was fine... ran the VIN and noted one outstanding recall, but to > wait on it (catalytic converter). Talked to some mechanics, same story... > seems like a year's difference makes a difference... still quite cautious. :) > > The engine seems easy enough to get to in the ML. Actually might be easier to work > on than my 300D for some things. Checked on fog lights and other goodies... > things seem to fall in place... very tempted... the interior of the ML320 > is the nicest I've ever seen. Fit and finish is superb. Included comparison > shots of the interior in today's snow pictures. :) > > Controls aren't laid out perfectly, but they're not bad. The seats are way > better than the 300D, but not up to the level of comfort as the WJ. Waiting to see what the > economy will be like. My wife won't let me drive a WJ... 14 to 15 mpg > is not in our budget... if the ML gets 17 to 19 mpg commuting it'll > make sense... wife isn't opposed to the idea... Mid-20's on the freeway > seemed possible. > > So, it'll all depend on the quotes to have the 6.2L installed in Omega, > and the economy of the ML. > > I may put Omega up on Ebay to see if he'll sell for enough to get the > ML... of course if I do that then I can't put the 6.2 in Omega... :) > Not sure I'd be real sad if Omega found a home... would solve a problem... > the main problem is all the work I want to do to customize Omega > so it's as nice as an ML. ;) > > Of course that would solve also the problem of whether or not to put > the 6.2L in Superdawg... Superdawg will get a new 4.2 if Omega > gets the 6.2... (out of popcorn yet? ;) Of course if Omega sells, but > not for enough to get the ML... well... that wouldn't be the end of > the world either... Omega has a lot of cool features... (munch, munch) > > got in touch with Curtis, he's sick... sounded terrible... he's > thinking about the swap as well... going to give me a quote if he > can do it in a few weeks. > > I'm leaning toward selling Omega and Shadowfax and getting the ML320. I've > been warned of the electrical problems but feel that I can deal with them > since the car is in such good condition and the engine and transmission > are reportedly bulletproof. It's just things like alternators, heated > mirrors, controllers and so on... I'm thinking that some good filters, > tranzorbs and shielding might eliminate any future issues... > > so, the plan is still 6.2L Diesel into Omega, 4.2 into Superdawg and the '99 WJ. > > if the quotes for the 6.2 conversion are too much, and the fuel economy on the > ML is good, then the net fleet will be: > > 6.2L into Superdawg, the '99 WJ and a '00 ML320. > > the '48 CJ-2A will probably stick around no matter what happens. ;) > > john > > > > ----- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - -bkc Lynnwood, WA '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] (replaces ML) '92 Toyota Celica GT (wife's old car) '00 MB ML320 [W163.154/M112.942] (to be sold, hopefully) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 23:25:21 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] snow, popcorn and fotos On Mon, 2 Apr 2007, Bruce Caruthers wrote: >-->Actually, that recall has been done, but they >-->deliberately left it open, to leave it covered >-->by the company if cracks do develop (none at >-->the time, if I recall correctly). >--> >-->(At least, this is what the service guys told >-->me at the time.) sounds similar to the advice the parts guy was saying... seems like the good guys at the dealerships have been looking out for you. ;) john >--> >--> >-->On Mon Apr 02, 2007, John Meister wrote: >-->> >-->> had snow this morning... didn't stick, but interesting... latest >-->> we've ever seen snow here... latest before was mid-march. we've been >-->> mowing the lawn for a long time... :) >-->> >-->> intermingled vehicles with pictures over the last few weeks... >-->> http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/04-April-2-Snow/ALL.html >-->> some older pictures... >-->> http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-31-MtVernon-macaw-Jeeps/ALL.html >-->> http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-22-misc-jeeps-scenes/ >-->> http://www.wagoneers.com/fotos/2007/03-March-1-Snow/ALL.html >-->> >-->> You'll notice an "extra" vehicle in my drive in the current >-->> snow pictures... test driving a 2000 ML320... >-->> >-->> also getting quotes on getting the 6.2L Diesel swapped >-->> into Omega (the '91 Grand Wagoneer)... I've got no time with grad >-->> school, garden work and so on... the ML320 is in perfect condition, not >-->> a flaw, low miles... been researching the issues the model has. Respected >-->> friends with similiar models have recounted horrific tales of electrical >-->> woes, which are also found on the internet. But it seems that 2000 is >-->> a bright spot in the midst of all of this... finding posts on the internet to >-->> match the owner's experience and the reports from wrenches and parts departments. >-->> >-->> Talked to the dealership today, they confirmed >-->> that the earlier years were a serious problem, but seemed to think that the >-->> '00 was fine... ran the VIN and noted one outstanding recall, but to >-->> wait on it (catalytic converter). Talked to some mechanics, same story... >-->> seems like a year's difference makes a difference... still quite cautious. :) >-->> >-->> The engine seems easy enough to get to in the ML. Actually might be easier to work >-->> on than my 300D for some things. Checked on fog lights and other goodies... >-->> things seem to fall in place... very tempted... the interior of the ML320 >-->> is the nicest I've ever seen. Fit and finish is superb. Included comparison >-->> shots of the interior in today's snow pictures. :) >-->> >-->> Controls aren't laid out perfectly, but they're not bad. The seats are way >-->> better than the 300D, but not up to the level of comfort as the WJ. Waiting to see what the >-->> economy will be like. My wife won't let me drive a WJ... 14 to 15 mpg >-->> is not in our budget... if the ML gets 17 to 19 mpg commuting it'll >-->> make sense... wife isn't opposed to the idea... Mid-20's on the freeway >-->> seemed possible. >-->> >-->> So, it'll all depend on the quotes to have the 6.2L installed in Omega, >-->> and the economy of the ML. >-->> >-->> I may put Omega up on Ebay to see if he'll sell for enough to get the >-->> ML... of course if I do that then I can't put the 6.2 in Omega... :) >-->> Not sure I'd be real sad if Omega found a home... would solve a problem... >-->> the main problem is all the work I want to do to customize Omega >-->> so it's as nice as an ML. ;) >-->> >-->> Of course that would solve also the problem of whether or not to put >-->> the 6.2L in Superdawg... Superdawg will get a new 4.2 if Omega >-->> gets the 6.2... (out of popcorn yet? ;) Of course if Omega sells, but >-->> not for enough to get the ML... well... that wouldn't be the end of >-->> the world either... Omega has a lot of cool features... (munch, munch) >-->> >-->> got in touch with Curtis, he's sick... sounded terrible... he's >-->> thinking about the swap as well... going to give me a quote if he >-->> can do it in a few weeks. >-->> >-->> I'm leaning toward selling Omega and Shadowfax and getting the ML320. I've >-->> been warned of the electrical problems but feel that I can deal with them >-->> since the car is in such good condition and the engine and transmission >-->> are reportedly bulletproof. It's just things like alternators, heated >-->> mirrors, controllers and so on... I'm thinking that some good filters, >-->> tranzorbs and shielding might eliminate any future issues... >-->> >-->> so, the plan is still 6.2L Diesel into Omega, 4.2 into Superdawg and the '99 WJ. >-->> >-->> if the quotes for the 6.2 conversion are too much, and the fuel economy on the >-->> ML is good, then the net fleet will be: >-->> >-->> 6.2L into Superdawg, the '99 WJ and a '00 ML320. >-->> >-->> the '48 CJ-2A will probably stick around no matter what happens. ;) >-->> >-->> john >-->> >-->> >-->> >-->> ----- >-->> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >-->> Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold >-->> http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** >-->> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >-->-bkc >-->Lynnwood, WA >-->'76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] >-->'93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] (replaces ML) >-->'92 Toyota Celica GT (wife's old car) >-->'00 MB ML320 [W163.154/M112.942] (to be sold, hopefully) >--> ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 16:09:46 +0100 From: "Stephen Rigley" Subject: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. Discovered on Sunday why the brakes on the Estate seemed a bit soft.. split rubber brake lines just before the caliper! Is this difficult to replace or is it just a case of unbolting from both ends and putting in the new one? Is it likely I'm going to be under there for several hours splitting knuckles? Thanks Steve ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:25:10 -0400 From: Michael Frank Subject: Re: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. No complications. Just remember to bleed your brakes afterwards. Mike Frank ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 09:11:13 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. replacing the brake line from the caliper to the steel line shouldn't be hard, unless it's rusted on solid... soak it in something and be careful not to twist the steel line. this part should not cost much at all... this is a part that often gets replaced on 4x4s when we lift them... need a longer hose. ;) I would guess a pair of 8 or 10mm wrenches, one to hold, the other to turn, is all that will be needed. Would recommend bleeding afterwards.... or, connect the line at the top, let gravity run fluid through the line, then connect to the caliper... you might get away without bleeding the caliper. john On Tue, 3 Apr 2007, Stephen Rigley wrote: > -->Discovered on Sunday why the brakes on the Estate seemed a bit soft.. > -->split rubber brake lines just before the caliper! > -->Is this difficult to replace or is it just a case of unbolting from > -->both ends and putting in the new one? Is it likely I'm going to be > -->under there for several hours splitting knuckles? > -->Thanks > -->Steve > --> ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 11:18:58 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: Re: [db] W123 200T Diesel... Brakes.. Don't skip the bleeding. Use this as an excuse to get one of those positive pressure blake bleeding setups, and flush all the old fluid. Alec On 4/3/07, john wrote: > replacing the brake line from the caliper to the steel line shouldn't > be hard, unless it's rusted on solid... soak it in something and be > careful not to twist the steel line. this part should not cost much > at all... this is a part that often gets replaced on 4x4s when we > lift them... need a longer hose. ;) > > I would guess a pair of 8 or 10mm wrenches, one to hold, the other > to turn, is all that will be needed. Would recommend bleeding afterwards.... > or, connect the line at the top, let gravity run fluid through the > line, then connect to the caliper... you might get away without bleeding > the caliper. > > john > > On Tue, 3 Apr 2007, Stephen Rigley wrote: > > > -->Discovered on Sunday why the brakes on the Estate seemed a bit soft.. > > -->split rubber brake lines just before the caliper! > > -->Is this difficult to replace or is it just a case of unbolting from > > -->both ends and putting in the new one? Is it likely I'm going to be > > -->under there for several hours splitting knuckles? > > -->Thanks > > -->Steve > > --> ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #2433 **********************************