[R129 SL] Power steering

[Jan Kuylaars]

Hello Fokes.

I am not so happy. The steeringhousing and a tube is leaking . Because
the housing is leaking on both sides the steering
Becomes often weak. New housing costs 1700 euro without mounting. So i
give order to replace the steeringhouse for a used one;costs: 500 Euro.
At the same time the mechanic discovered that one cilinder head gasket
is leaking water to the outside of the engine on the
startmotor.Sometimes the bendix would not come out; so they replacing
the startmotor also. We do not know if the coolant is the problem.So
this engine is not so bulletproof as we expected. But the car is from
1989 and it seams to be age problems. The mechanic sead he wants to put
a tablet in the coolant to look if the leakkage stops. Otherwise i must
let  repair the headgaskets, and because the oil seals from the valves
are even not the best, what gives a oil consuming and some blue smoke
out of the outlet, I must renovate the valves also, and that should be
an expensive operation. But cheaper then turnover a complete motor. On
the other hand i restore several things like wheelbarrows , brakepads
and discs in front and rear, diverse plastic stuff. Repair the windows
in the softtop, new backlights and bumper. etc. The softtop hydraulics
are repaired three years ago.
I cannot sell this car in bad condition and must pay a lot for an
younger one with maybe the same problems over two years. I think it is
maybe  better to repair and wait how long the tablets will work. Maby
over one or two year replacement of the head gasket.

Crying Dutchman 500 SL.
( joke )



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