[R129 SL] R129LIST Digest, Vol 30, Issue 24

[gregorio at weststargroup.net]

Peter - thanks for the information. Good perspective.

Cheers, from sunny & HOT Southern California,
Greg Conte
1991 500SL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Shelton" <xtr204210 at xtra.co.nz>
To: <fouquetlapar at free.fr>; "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 1:40 PM
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] R129LIST Digest, Vol 30, Issue 24



> Hi Matthias,

>

> I appreciate your comments in that Mercedes are fine cars - that is why 

> many of us own them.  You are correct in saying that cars that are older 

> than say 5 years are prone to problems, and in many cases they are 

> specific to the temperature, humidity and general conditions the cars are 

> subjected to.

>

>

>

> If the car is little used, or left outside with minimal protection, the 

> car will be prone to more issues than other similar cars.  Mercedes Benz 

> (like many manufacturers) can not be expected to test and subject a 

> vehicle (for the prices they are currently being sold at) to all weather 

> conditions. Time is also a good indicator of how problems progress, but 

> items will fail.

>

>

>

> For instance, vehicles in Singapore are subjected to very hot conditions. 

> When Mercedes Benz manufactured the vehicles from about 1996 to early 

> 2000's, the wiring loom came below the engine (presumably to save money on 

> cable).   The system was 'tested' and no problems were experienced during 

> the tests. In New Zealand, there are a lot of imported cars here, and so 

> imported MB's are relatively 'cheap' compared with the US or European 

> prices.  The cable used apparently had 'captan' or a 'captan' 

> (plasticiser) similarity, and this degrades with heat.  When imported to 

> NZ after a few years use in Singapore, we have had a number of failures 

> with wiring looms, and the loom is replaced.   Cost is about 2,500 euros 

> to repair. Incidentally, this problem is not dissimilar to the 'green 

> slime' seepage that is emitted from electrical, fire alarm, etc cables 

> manufactured from about 1968 to 1980, where the plasticiser begins 

> breaking down and is changed to a green goo, commonly referred to as green 

> slime.

>

>

>

> In vehicles, there are failures especially with electronics, some is from 

> corrosion from environmental factors, while others are just plain 

> component failures.  Now the 129 series like some other models of the 

> time, are very advanced electronically, even when compared with today's 

> vehicles.  However, capacitors (voltage storage/ suppressive devices) 

> 'lose' electrolyte, or just dry up and fail to operate correctly, and 

> sensors stick or have corrosion on electrical contacts.  Hence the 

> problems with dash lights etc. Given that the 'circuit boards' are not 

> heavy weather sealed (IP65 rated) then weather and storage conditions 

> (especially salt air - if you live within about 40 miles of the coast), if 

> the coating on the circuit boards decays (assuming that there is a 

> coating!). If you pull apart an old 'computer', wiper controller or door 

> lock etc, you will find some corrosion on the boards.  They have aged 

> (just like we do).  CRC Zone 240 sprayed on the boards will give added 

> protection from moisture and salt conditions (used also on washing machine 

> circuit boards to help repel moisture).  [ Note: In my opinion, a glass of 

> good red wine inside us frequently (as we age) can also help to boost our 

> antioxidants and help our 'human circuit boards' to function a little 

> better!!]

>

>

>

> There are a number of 'tinkerers' that own Mercedes and yes, I agree that 

> some of the problems will be caused by such human factors. We all want to 

> save a few Euros, dollars, deutschmarks, pesos, etc and it is a hobby for 

> many of us, so some problems will be brought on.  One thing generally 

> about Mercedes, if you are having problems trying to remove or access 

> something (apart from the heater!), have a cup of tea/ coffee, and 

> rte-thing and re-try the approach, as access to nearly all Mercedes parts 

> is very easy!. The CD manual certainly takes guesswork out of the 

> equation.

>

>

>

> I am and Electrical and Services Engineer (designer and trouble-shooter) 

> and deal with issues on a day to day basis. Our 'family' has some 11 

> vehicles and I carry out most of the maintenance requirements.  There are 

> some thinks just not worth the time and friends with businesses, can fix 

> them much quicker.  In my opinion, unless you are experienced (and have 

> the correct tools), forget self fixing the air-conditioning system (you 

> need a set gauges, nitrogen, be able to weld, etc), tyres and balancing, 

> mufflers, and electronic circuit boards.  I fix my own circuit boards 

> [like Jan (the flying Dutchman and the Radar tracking inventor - also 

> another Electrical Engineer)], and we have all the tools and many dollars 

> of test equipment. It is great to try to repair issues as life is a 

> learning experience.

>

>

>

> Well Matthias, after all this, I am really reinforcing that any vehicles 

> older than 5 years, and when subjected to varying environmental 

> conditions, will develop maintenance issues that are inherent within the 

> framework of original design and manufacture.  R129 Rag Top controls and 

> mechanism, the roll bar and dash etc are all real examples of what happens 

> with no tinkering, just aging and lack of use.  If rams are not used in 

> the roof, corrosion does occur and the rams fail!  Fact of life!.  This 

> forum is great for asking questions, offering answers, and brings us 

> together internationally to confirm that we all have the same interest and 

> enthusiasm for our 129 vehicles, many of us have experienced similar 

> problems, and we are here to help.

>

>

>

> Have a great day in the Universe, wherever you are, Lovely here in New 

> Zealand, but a bit chilly - need a good Dutch or Brazilian coffee to warm 

> me up!

>

>

>

> Cheers, Peter S.

>

>

>

> ----- Original Message ----- 

> From: "Matthias Fouquet-Lapar" <fouquetlapar at free.fr>

> To: <r129list at mbcoupes.com>

> Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 6:11 PM

> Subject: Re: [R129 SL] R129LIST Digest, Vol 30, Issue 24

>

>

>> There has been a problem within a certain time frame with evaparotors, 

>> both on W140 and R129. Alhough it's a well know problem, I would be 

>> interested to hear what other car manufacturer would pay to fix a problem 

>> on > 10 years old car.

>> Some of the comments on this list regarding A/C are just frightning, like 

>> the one who was thinking about charging more gas because the cooling ws 

>> intermittent. The R129 (in particular later models) have a _lot_ of 

>> on-board diagnostics which let's you diagnose the problem.

>> Otherwise, a pair of standard gauges will do it. It also assumes that you 

>> know what you are doing of course. I do all my maintenance, including A/C 

>> work, on my 500SL and 500SE (W126). I converted my 500SE to R134a 3 years 

>> ago without a problem (replaced only the dryer) and it has been cooling 

>> fine since then.

>> I'm German, living here in France, and have access to all Mercedes 

>> documentation which really helps. There are also exceptional good 

>> (German) mailing aliases which even include specialists from the factory 

>> who build the cars.

>> Frankly, some of these discussions on this mailing list are frightning to 

>> me (when it for example gets to the roof) and my impression that 90% of 

>> te problems are home-made or an original minor fault is turned into a big 

>> project because of ignorance.

>>

>> These are extremely fine cars and will last forever if you take correct 

>> care, have access to the right documentation and some limited amount of 

>> tools

>>

>> My 0.02 Eur

>>

>> - Matthias

>>

>>

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> R129 SL Mailing List

>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> R129 SL Mailing List

>