SLK up grade to SL

[00slk]

This was what happens when you don't use the car for nearly 3 months, it raised up once the engine was started and I pushed the raise button on the console. I have noticed a few of the Mercedes with the ABC suspension drop if they are left to sitting unused for a while.

 

[triumphstag]

This was what happens when you don't use the car for nearly 3 months, it raised up once the engine was started and I pushed the raise button on the console. I have noticed a few of the Mercedes with the ABC suspension drop if they are left to sitting unused for a while.

Yes, generally due to dirt in the seals in the valve block.
They shouldn't sink at all.....

Mind you, mine sank in under 10 seconds when it decided the pentosil would be better all over the floor rather than in the system (burst a hose)

Unhappy me (broken car) unhappy SWMBO (driveway covered in oil)

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[00slk]

Yes, generally due to dirt in the seals in the valve block.
They shouldn't sink at all.....

Mind you, mine sank in under 10 seconds when it decided the pentosil would be better all over the floor rather than in the system (burst a hose)

Unhappy me (broken car) unhappy SWMBO (driveway covered in oil)

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Oh yes, know all about the valve blocks, and I am trying to get another forum member interested in them too

 

[00slk]

Since buying the 500 the centre console catch has been broken, but never proved a problem. It has taken about 2 years to save up for a new catch seeing how the catch is not available by itself. (You have to buy the console!) Finding one in the same colour helped with the wait as well. Today saw me removing the old one and fitting the replacement, not an entirely easy job when one has not done one before, it proved to be a bit of a head scratcher at one point I had to make up a small tool to remove these small screws as the normal pieces wouldn't work.



Then there was this plastic air line to disconnect, more head scratching



Once I had managed to disconnect all the wiring plugs the unit came away quite easily and the replacement unit was fitted well within quarter of the time it took to remove.



Next DIY job is the mirror fold switch which too was broken when we bought the 500

 

[00slk]

Further up dates on the 500, rust in the O/S rear wheel arch now done, the car is totally rust free and looking smart again.
Need to have it valeted inside to match the outside now, body shops tend to leave their trade mark dust everywhere
However as with car ownership things do tend to need the usual maintenance from time to time and what a surprise we had to see oil drips on the garage floor coming from the N/S front On closer investigation and the removal of the front wind tray seemed to indicate oil seepage coming from what looks like the tiny oil cooler radiator which in turn looks very much as if it is connected to the ABC system. Anyway I decided to take the car to Giles to sort out and then all the problems started! I drove the 500 onto the back of my lorry, locked it up ready to take it down the Giles the next morning. Next morning comes, jump into the lorry and start to reverse out the driveway and the alarm goes off in the 500 I stop and use the fob to unlock the car and this is where it all went to pot, the car didn't want to know and still doesn't It has completely locked down.
The car is down at Giles and once he has the ignition switch removed we'll send it to JohnnySBC here on the forum and see if this can be fixed. Fingers crossed
This is the first time a Mercedes has ever let us down in this way in 38years

 

[LostKiwi]

rust in the O/S rear wheel arch now done

We did both our rear arches last month (and repainted the spoiler and number plate surround as well. Good to keep on top of these things!

 

[00slk]

We did both our rear arches last month (and repainted the spoiler and number plate surround as well. Good to keep on top of these things!

Sure is LK, if these rusty bits are left too long it doesn't take long before there are holes in the quarter panels, the 500 had to have metal welded in. I have a 47 year old car that's less rusty than some 10 year old cars!

 

[LostKiwi]

We were lucky with Malcolm's as it didn' need any welding but one more winter and it would. Still cost us near enough £900 for both arches though!

 

[00slk]

We were lucky with Malcolm's as it didn' need any welding but one more winter and it would. Still cost us near enough £900 for both arches though!

£900 that was a hell of a price? We had the entire N/S repainted after SWMBO scraped and dented it, plus metal welded in both rear wheel arches £950, mind you it was a good price for me. Well recommended too

 

[LostKiwi]

£900 that was a hell of a price? We had the entire N/S repainted after SWMBO scraped and dented it, plus metal welded in both rear wheel arches £950, mind you it was a good price for me. Well recommended too

We had both rear arches done, front number plate surround repainted and rear spoiler repainted. It was pricy but the job was very well done.

 

[00slk]

Now that the 500 is back in action again after being parked up since the beginning of November due to ignition failure we have noticed a lot of condensation build up inside the car over the winter months. I have seen water coming into the boot, actually it is like a little waterfall and took a little while to discover where it was coming from. Here is a clue...........



Looks like a normal seal failure, however it was still coming in even when the car was dry and not raining Both sides of the boot rubber but only on the inner side. While I was looking at the boot carpet trying to find out how this could be possible I saw water pouring out of these two holes in the boot lid



I'm guessing this is condensation which has made its unwelcome presence on the 500, further investigation has found dampness on the carpets behind the seats and misting up rear side windows
The moral of this story is to use your SL's regularly and keep them garaged If they break down over the winter periods that is just bad luck
Guess today I'll start making room in the garage for 2 SL's

 

[00slk]

Have to say that this SL500 we bought has proved to be an excellent car and has only let us down once (I think) when it had the ignition failure which turns out to have been my fault when I changed the battery Don't leave the key on in the ignition when changing batteries We have now 122,000mls on her and apart from general servicing and a bit of titivating the usual rust treatment to the rear quarters not a lot else to up date. Though we did experience 'ABC Visit Workshop' display a few times. On investigation this turned out to be the ABC radiator which had worked its mounting bolt loose over the years and worn the alloy thin enough to seep out the fluid under pressure. Again Giles to the rescue
Roll on the warmer weather

 

[flowrider]

I cant wait for the warm weather so that i can get the SL out more often. I have a few preventative jobs to do but putting them off at the momemt.

 

[00slk]

I cant wait for the warm weather so that i can get the SL out more often. I have a few preventative jobs to do but putting them off at the momemt.

I know how you feel with the preventative jobs, the cold weather makes one so lazy and best be inside in the warmth, well I speak for myself here you realise
I have seen quite a number of real enthusiasts driving about with their tops down as early as February Brrrrrrrrrrr

I hear tomorrow is going to be 20degrees?????? No excuse now flowrider99

 

[Naraic]

Have to say that this SL500 we bought has proved to be an excellent car and has only let us down once (I think) when it had the ignition failure which turns out to have been my fault when I changed the battery Don't leave the key on in the ignition when changing batteries We have now 122,000mls on her and apart from general servicing and a bit of titivating the usual rust treatment to the rear quarters not a lot else to up date. Though we did experience 'ABC Visit Workshop' display a few times. On investigation this turned out to be the ABC radiator which had worked its mounting bolt loose over the years and worn the alloy thin enough to seep out the fluid under pressure. Again Giles to the rescue
Roll on the warmer weather

View attachment 42155

Nice pair.

 

[noonboots]

I know how you feel with the preventative jobs, the cold weather makes one so lazy and best be inside in the warmth, well I speak for myself here you realise
I have seen quite a number of real enthusiasts driving about with their tops down as early as February Brrrrrrrrrrr

I hear tomorrow is going to be 20degrees?????? No excuse now flowrider99

I put the top down today. 9°C outside but sunny so it was fine.

 

[LostKiwi]

I put the top down today. 9°C outside but sunny so it was fine.

Ditto. Although mine only read 8.5°C.... Still warm enough without getting wrapped up in bearskins etc...

 

[keefysher]

I had the sunroof open too as I drove round

 

[00slk]

I had the sunroof open too as I drove round

I cracked the window a little bit

 

[Submariner1]

This was what happens when you don't use the car for nearly 3 months, it raised up once the engine was started and I pushed the raise button on the console. I have noticed a few of the Mercedes with the ABC suspension drop if they are left to sitting unused for a while.

Ooooo good job you parked with the fronts straight or its so low you might have graunched the front wheel arch.

Hmm I thought the valves in the control blocks were metal to metal when you parked up, so it wouldnt collapse once parked ...
obviously not. :-/