Seals, leaks and stuff - W124 300D Estate

Sgt-Slow

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I've just committed to buying a late W124 300D Estate.

I know a few issues that need attending to ASAP:

Front windscreen is delaminating - autoglass can replace it via insurance.

Rear side windows and tailgate window be leaking - does anyone here have the part numbers?

Also, I'd like to replace the door and tailgate seals - does anyone here have the part numbers?

Double also, I'm close to Wooton Basset - is there a friendly MB dealer close by? Swindon / Bath area preferred.

Thanks,

Chaz
 
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LostKiwi

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Hi and welcome.
For god's sake don't take it to MB unless you have very deep pockets!

You have 2 excellent MB independent garages not to far away :
Star Motors near Reading (@star )
Avantgarde near Bristol. (@Steve@Avantgarde)

Both are highly recommended and frequent posters on here.
 
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Sgt-Slow

Sgt-Slow

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Excellent.

I don't mind paying a good wedge for genuine parts, but I loathe paying main dealer prices for labour.

I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, so I'm reasonably handy with spanners, but there's some stuff I can't do because of special tools or access.

I'll look both up, will be good to establish a relationship with a local reliable and trustworthy specialist.

Thanks,

Chaz
 

LostKiwi

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You may find some parts difficult to come by from dealers too.

9ne of the problems with older cars at main dealers is few of the staff (if any) have any experience of them as the trained experienced guys have moved on and started their own garages (like Ian and Steve).
 
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Sgt-Slow

Sgt-Slow

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Yeah, I've had that problem before with Lexus and Volvo...

I'm not too concerned with people not knowing the vehicle, more the issue that parts may be hard to get....
 

mioba

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genuine parts are best for quality and they will fit. esp with something like window seals. be sure to get the metal worm treated if there is any present.

take a trip to your dealers for the parts and ask for discount. always works for me.

hope they can still get the parts.

w124 - great car!
 

daibevan

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MB Grangemouth will give you a discount if you tell them you are a member of this forum.
 

malcolm E53 AMG

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I had water leaks at the rear window seals on my W124 estate when I removed the glass and seal the problem turned out to be rust/rot so be prepared for this.
 
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Sgt-Slow

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Yeah, I am aware that they can be rusty behind the seals.

I'll message Star motors in Bristol (as they are the closer of the two suggested) for any work should I need it
 

LostKiwi

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Yeah, I am aware that they can be rusty behind the seals.

I'll message Star motors in Bristol (as they are the closer of the two suggested) for any work should I need it
Star are near Reading. Avantgarde are near Bristol.
 
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Sgt-Slow

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Yep, that's what I meant... it's been a long day...
 
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Sgt-Slow

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So, after a slightly more lengthy stay at Star Motor Services in Reading, I have the car back.

Loads of little bits to be sorted, plus a failed alternator as I arrived. Probably need a battery shortly, as it ran a bit low while the alternator had failed. Bugger.

P36HBaKW.jpg


A bit of a heavyweight bill. But it sure does look good among newer, bland, faceless cars.

QYbqGG0J.jpg


As I was driving back, however, I noticed the temperature gauge heading up a bit further than I'm used to (in cars generally - this one is still quite new to me).

9LeGgfVq.jpg


The temperature needle settled about where the white arrow is. Is this usual? I know modern cars have ECU controlled temperature garages which are rock steady because the ECU will allow a range of temperature before it adjusts the needle - this doesn't have that. I guess I'm just asking whether or not I should be concerned.

If not, I'll be getting a new thermostat, radiator waterpump and auxiliary belt, flushing the cooling system properly, and refilling with antifreeze. Is ethylene glycol ok to run in these?

Also, as a cherry on the cake, as I was on the M4 heading home, a golfball sized stone came off an excavator being transported, which duly hit the windscreen forcefully enough to crack it. Double bugger. Is it worth chasing the haulage company for damages, as the excavator should have been cleaned sufficiently in order not to drop big rocks off it, or is it just "one of those things"?
 

LostKiwi

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That's slightly higher than I'd like to see but not too much.
Was the heater nice and warm?
 
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Yeah, heater was working as expected. Dial about half way, warm but not hot air. Just as I would expect.
 

js190d

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Temperture wise i would say that looks just about correct, maybe slightly high. I take it your car is a naturally aspirated om606 engined s124 (vent on OS front wing?)

As for coolant type just replace or top up with whatever colour is presently in it (do not mix blue and red). Blue coolant is what i use on my old diesels.

A new auxillary belt is always a good idea as if it fails you will be stuck on the side of the road. It's easy to do btw.

Lovely old car, hope you enjoy wafting around in it.
 
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Sounds good then. I dunno what's in there - when I get around to it, I'll be flushing with straight water first, until it comes out clean (after filling, bleeding to temp, hot air in cabin, then drain etc).

I've got some good longlife ethylene glycol, good to -40c when 50:50 mix with H2O.

And yes, it's NA 24V OM606
 

matthew k

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So, after a slightly more lengthy stay at Star Motor Services in Reading, I have the car back.

Loads of little bits to be sorted, plus a failed alternator as I arrived. Probably need a battery shortly, as it ran a bit low while the alternator had failed. Bugger.

P36HBaKW.jpg


A bit of a heavyweight bill. But it sure does look good among newer, bland, faceless cars.

QYbqGG0J.jpg


As I was driving back, however, I noticed the temperature gauge heading up a bit further than I'm used to (in cars generally - this one is still quite new to me).

9LeGgfVq.jpg


The temperature needle settled about where the white arrow is. Is this usual? I know modern cars have ECU controlled temperature garages which are rock steady because the ECU will allow a range of temperature before it adjusts the needle - this doesn't have that. I guess I'm just asking whether or not I should be concerned.

If not, I'll be getting a new thermostat, radiator waterpump and auxiliary belt, flushing the cooling system properly, and refilling with antifreeze. Is ethylene glycol ok to run in these?

Also, as a cherry on the cake, as I was on the M4 heading home, a golfball sized stone came off an excavator being transported, which duly hit the windscreen forcefully enough to crack it. Double bugger. Is it worth chasing the haulage company for damages, as the excavator should have been cleaned sufficiently in order not to drop big rocks off it, or is it just "one of those things"?

The temperature gauge on Mercs are buffered too, I once had a Alfa 156, the needle was in real time, it fluctuated loads under load, almost like the tachometer!!! Your rad and cooling system is probably in need of a flush as already suggested.
 
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