From owner-diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Thu Dec 30 01:32:31 2010 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Thursday, December 30 2010 Volume 01 : Number 3366 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... Re: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... Re: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... [db] with the week off... Re: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... [db] Re: xj: Re: Re: fsj: OT WJ question [db] the end of an era... [db] W123 brakes Re: [db] W123 brakes Re: [db] W123 brakes RE: [db] W123 brakes [db] what I did on Christmas break... Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request@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: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:49:28 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... ...a tradition/benefit that I've never HAD to use... For years Mercedes has provided free roadside assistance to all Mercedes vehicles no matter what the age. I've heard for folks that have called and been helped in vehicles that were 20 or more years old. The toll free number appears on the visor and in the owner's manual. But today in the mail I got a nice letter from Mercedes basically saying that if my vehicle wasn't under warranty or serviced regularly at a Mercedes dealership that the service was no longer available.... so three conditions exist for eligibility: 1) under warranty (extenteded, pre-owned, etc.) 2) is out of warranty but you are regularly fleeced, I mean serviced by a Mercedes dealership for at least $100 in the 18 months prior to the Roadside call. or 3) was purchased directly from an authorized dealership prior to 4 Jan 2011 and you still own the vehicle. I've always owned older Mercedes that don't break down... I guess this is an incentive for me not to upgrade into the troubled years... :) My Mercedes isn't to a point of needing roadside assistance yet, it's only got 267,000 miles on it... and it's a Diesel. If it were a gasoline version I wouldn't have bought it. john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:53:21 -0600 From: "Kaleb C. Striplin" Subject: Re: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... I got that letter to, and heard about this about a month ago. Its their "expanded" service. I would hate to see what they call reduced service. On 12/28/2010 9:49 PM, john wrote: > ...a tradition/benefit that I've never HAD to use... > > For years Mercedes has provided free roadside assistance to all Mercedes vehicles > no matter what the age. I've heard for folks that have called and been helped in > vehicles that were 20 or more years old. The toll free number appears on the visor > and in the owner's manual. > > But today in the mail I got a nice letter from Mercedes basically saying that > if my vehicle wasn't under warranty or serviced regularly at a Mercedes dealership > that the service was no longer available.... > > so three conditions exist for eligibility: > > 1) under warranty (extenteded, pre-owned, etc.) > 2) is out of warranty but you are regularly fleeced, I mean serviced by a Mercedes dealership > for at least $100 in the 18 months prior to the Roadside call. > or > 3) was purchased directly from an authorized dealership prior to 4 Jan 2011 > and you still own the vehicle. > > > I've always owned older Mercedes that don't break down... I guess this is an incentive > for me not to upgrade into the troubled years... :) > > My Mercedes isn't to a point of needing roadside assistance yet, it's only got > 267,000 miles on it... and it's a Diesel. If it were a gasoline version I wouldn't > have bought it. > > john > > > ----- > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > - -- Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK 95 E300, 94 S500, 92 500SEL, 92 300SD, 92 300E 4Matic, 91 350SDL, 91 300D, 89 560SEL, 87 300SDL x2, 85 380SE 5.0 Euro, 85 190D, 84 190D, 84 300D euro manny, 76 240D, 76 300D, http://www.okiebenz.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:26:05 -0600 From: Alec Cordova Subject: Re: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... I think my W123 had it on a sticker on the inside of the glovebox lid, between the old school German cupholders. I got the letter, too. Alec Sent from my iPhone. On Dec 28, 2010, at 9:49 PM, john wrote: > ...a tradition/benefit that I've never HAD to use... > > For years Mercedes has provided free roadside assistance to all > Mercedes vehicles > no matter what the age. I've heard for folks that have called and > been helped in > vehicles that were 20 or more years old. The toll free number > appears on the visor > and in the owner's manual. > > But today in the mail I got a nice letter from Mercedes basically > saying that > if my vehicle wasn't under warranty or serviced regularly at a > Mercedes dealership > that the service was no longer available.... > > so three conditions exist for eligibility: > > 1) under warranty (extenteded, pre-owned, etc.) > 2) is out of warranty but you are regularly fleeced, I mean serviced > by a Mercedes dealership > for at least $100 in the 18 months prior to the Roadside call. > or > 3) was purchased directly from an authorized dealership prior to 4 > Jan 2011 > and you still own the vehicle. > > > I've always owned older Mercedes that don't break down... I guess > this is an incentive > for me not to upgrade into the troubled years... :) > > My Mercedes isn't to a point of needing roadside assistance yet, > it's only got > 267,000 miles on it... and it's a Diesel. If it were a gasoline > version I wouldn't > have bought it. > > john > > > ----- > --- > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us > --- > --------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:42:17 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] with the week off... ...waiting for some parts... and a clear day to go over the pass to get a schnitzel... today, drove into Seattle for a pizza... found this place in Magnolia... also realized that retirement might be pretty boring, only on the 2nd day of the week off and without any cars to fix or major projects it's moving pretty slowly... (which is really a good thing)... cleaning my office... have two large boxes of auto brochures and magazines to index, advertise and sell... so... here's the night shots of our pizza adventure... http://fotomeister.us/2010/12-Dec-28-Seattle-lights/ALL.html tomorrow we might make a run for popeye's chicken... not sure if we'll go to renton or burlington... but it'll be with the panzer plate installed on the Jetta... it should arrive tomorrow. I will also install the hardware for the spider spikes. going to try to run a full tank of Diesel through the TDI to check mileage... about 170 miles so far and the needle has moved off of full... :) the work day for superdawg was cancelled, twice... :( expecting snow tomorrow... nothing like they had back east... well, back to sorting brochures... will post the list of items on my server... also have a few tonkas on ebay right now. hope everyone had a great Christmas. john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:35:34 -0500 From: Michael Frank Subject: Re: [db] the end of an automotive tradition... My old 300CD blew a glow plug fuse in a Manhattan parking lot one day. This was around 1999, when it was a legal adult. Called the number on the glovebox lid and waddaya know, a truck appeared with a new fuse to get me going. One of the reasons why I bought that crappy E320. The E320 has had many fine rides on the Mercedes truck. Mike Frank Mike Frank At 11:26 PM 12/28/2010, you wrote: >I think my W123 had it on a sticker on the inside of the glovebox lid, >between the old school German cupholders. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:53:29 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] Re: xj: Re: Re: fsj: OT WJ question I wonder if the '04 is different than the '99's. nice video... nice touch the light... Mine has 161,000 miles, no problems. But I have heard ofquality issues in the newer models... typical, eh? john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Wed, 29 Dec 2010, JeepNut wrote: # Jim was right, Bob was too, but more specific. # # I put a short vid up on my # http://www.youtube.com/user/JeepNutsGarage page if anyone is interested. # It's apparently a very common problem John so you're prepared now when your # windows/doorlocks/mirrors suddenly stop working on the 99. # # That black wire # seems very, very, stiff to have installed in a place like that where it folds # open and closed constantly. But I think Bob is right because it looks more # like it got cut than just folded over repeatedly until it broke. I just butt # connectored it and put it back together. I'll fix this many more times in the # future, I'm sure. # # My symptoms and this fix were repeated in various online # forums. Should be a TSB / Recall in my opinion. But then I'm old and think # people AND companies should have integrity and commitment, standing behind # their products, their services, their work and their mistakes. # I know. I'm # just bizarre. # # JeepNut # ---------------------------------------------------------- # '92 Cherokee # Laredo, bought new, an heirloom. Passed to one of # the grandkids in 2009 @ 270K # miles.... # '04 Grand Cherokee Laredo. Bone stock. It's hers. # '87 Street # Comanche #24/100. In storage. # '88 Grand Wagoneer # - '81 AMC 360 -.030 over- # Edelbrock Performer/1400 600cfm 4bbl, # TFI System upgrade, TF727 -mild kit- # NP229, D44's F/R -3:31- # B.J.'s Offroad 6" kit/ drop pittman, stainless # extended brake lines, # ProComp 3000 shocks, Maxxis Buckshot 33x12.5x15 # 14 # Spoke OEM Wagonwheels, IPF 65/55 lamps...and then some. # ---------------------------------------------------------- # Registered Linux # user #287453 # # # --- On Wed, 12/29/10, john wrote: # # > From: # john # > Subject: Re: xj: Re: Re: fsj: OT WJ question # > To: # "xj" # > Cc: "Jim Blair" , # WJ-Grand@yahoogroups.com, thejeepnut@yahoo.com, "FSJ" # > Date: # Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 3:20 PM # > good info Bob... # > # > wonder what # caused it. # > # > I've got to repair the wiring harness near the amp on my # > # infinity system, # > one of the PO's must have added something in, the wires are # > badly spliced # > and I don't think all the connections are right. been # > # kind of snooping around # > for that part of the wiring harness... doubt I'd # pull the # > whole thing, but # > I could splice in the connector going into the # box with the # > replacement and # > fix the intermittent issues. # > # > john # > # > # > # > ----- # > # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where # > Jeeps don't rust, they mold # > # http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 # > si vis pacem, para bellum # > # http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us # > # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > # > # > On Wed, 29 Dec 2010, Bob wrote: # > # > # Actually, the door jumpers are a # common issue with the # > WJs.....replace them # > # often at the # dealership....rather expensive.... # > # The problem will be found under the # boot about half an # > inch (if that) from the # > # connector, and it will # likely be three sliced wires all # > cut at the same angle. # > # I've had # customers remove them and send me home with # > them to repair rather # > # than # spend what Chrysler wants for them. # > # # > # A little delicate trimming, # tinning, soldering, and heat # > shrinking and you'll # > # be good to go 'til # the get sliced again.... # > # # ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:13:13 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] the end of an era... sad news gear heads... http://johnmeister.com/DieselBenz/TECH/end-of-service/ never used the service, never had to, but then again I only drive older Mercedes Diesels, have thought about updating, but having second thoughts after hearing of quality issues in the mid-90's and following... that and I can't afford anything newer than something that is at least 10 years old or older. :) ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:44:21 -0300 From: "Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI" Subject: [db] W123 brakes Today, in traffic, I suddenly noticed the brke pedal travel had increased suddenly, almost to the floor. Brkes work OK with pumping the pedal, assistance has not be lost, and brake fluid level is normal? Any idea ? Should I worry ? Cheers, Ron. - -- Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what value there may be in owning a piece thereof. -- National Lampoon, "Deteriorata" -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:05:20 +0000 From: dieseljohn@comcast.net Subject: Re: [db] W123 brakes Yes, worry, well, better, fix. that's the master cylinder. - ------Original Message------ From: Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI Sender: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net To: dbl Subject: [db] W123 brakes Sent: Dec 29, 2010 14:44 Today, in traffic, I suddenly noticed the brke pedal travel had increased suddenly, almost to the floor. Brkes work OK with pumping the pedal, assistance has not be lost, and brake fluid level is normal? Any idea ? Should I worry ? Cheers, Ron. - -- Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what value there may be in owning a piece thereof. -- National Lampoon, "Deteriorata" -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:36:51 -0500 From: Edward Pomeroy Subject: Re: [db] W123 brakes First check that none of your wheel cylinders are wet and you have a loose bleed screw or a leaking piston. If all is dry - then it has to be fluid getting past the seals on the master cylinder. Hope Benz sells kits to repair same and are not anal and try to insist you buy a new master cylinder. Edward On 12/29/2010 5:44 PM, Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI wrote: > Today, in traffic, I suddenly noticed the brke pedal travel had increased > suddenly, almost to the floor. > > Brkes work OK with pumping the pedal, assistance has not be lost, and brake > fluid level is normal? > > Any idea ? > > Should I worry ? > > Cheers, > > Ron. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:58:30 -0500 From: Steve Morelen Subject: RE: [db] W123 brakes Don't worry-just don't drive this car anymore until the brakes are fixed properly. This can be dangerous stuff. Edward's master cylinder suggestion should be explored although I would recommend a new master cylinder. I've never seen a repaired master cylinder that lasted more than a year. I just looked at US online pricing for a '84 300D master cylinder [ATE] and it was USD $136. Don't know how expensive something like this would be in your part of the world. //steve > Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:36:51 -0500 > From: ejpomeroy@qtm.net > To: renaud@olgiati-in-paraguay.org > CC: diesel-benz@digest.net > Subject: Re: [db] W123 brakes > > First check that none of your wheel cylinders are wet and you have a > loose bleed screw or a leaking piston. > > If all is dry - then it has to be fluid getting past the seals on the > master cylinder. Hope Benz sells kits to repair same and are not anal > and try to insist you buy a new master cylinder. > > Edward > > On 12/29/2010 5:44 PM, Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI wrote: > > Today, in traffic, I suddenly noticed the brke pedal travel had increased > > suddenly, almost to the floor. > > > > Brkes work OK with pumping the pedal, assistance has not be lost, and brake > > fluid level is normal? > > > > Any idea ? > > > > Should I worry ? > > > > Cheers, > > > > Ron. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:31:58 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] what I did on Christmas break... so far not a great deal... cleaned my office... took some pictures... here's some more: cats in snow... (we had a little arrive Wednesday morning): http://fotomeister.us/2010/12-Dec-29-snow-cats/ALL.html then my parts arrived for the skid plate on the '03 Jetta TDI: http://johnmeister.com/DIESELS/tdi/TDI-skidplate/ALL.html fwiw, the work party is off for superdawg... too much going on down in centralia... not sure when superdawg will get worked on again... frame needs to be painted, cab mounted and painted, bed mounted and painted, then wiring and so on. realistically two to three weeks of concentrated effort would have him reassembled and likely running. problem is he's 105 miles away in curtis' shop, takes over 3 hours to get down there and another 3 to get back, if traffic isn't bad... the WJ is doing fine, no more codes, the gas cap did fix the problem. the 300D is doing quite well, tightened the throttle linkage on it. also took pictures of the obsolete "free" roadside service that has been part of mercedes for ever... http://johnmeister.com/DieselBenz/TECH/end-of-service/ the TDI is apparently doing very well on this tank, have around 180 miles on it and the needle is still above 7/8th. I put amsoil gear lube in the 5 speed at the same time I put amsoil 5w40 in the new oil pan... been shifting around 2,200 rpm, sometimes start out in 2nd gear... the 11mm pump puts out a lot of torque... plan to take some more drives to test out the economy with the new pump/injectors. the plan is to head over Stevens Pass on Friday for schnitzels in Leavenworth, WA. the forecasted temperatures are around 16F over there, versus our 34F. Green here, white there. Guess that's why they call this side of the mountains the green side... well, in summer it's usually pretty hot and dry over on the eastern side as well... and green here... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #3366 **********************************