1977 500 sl standing 2 yrs

[scott2gogo]

son has just bought this 500 sl, been standing for 2 yrs any suggestions before we try to fire it up, should we take plugs out and maybe spray stuff in and then turn over by hand to loosen up ?, seem to remember doing similar yrs ago, cheers andy

 

[Stu_CDX]

Get some clean fuel through it, make sure the oil is nice and clean and that there is enough of the other fluids to go round.

Personally, I'd pour a drop of oil into the filler just to make sure there was some on the top of the engine, but that's just me.

I was always told to turn it over briefly about 3 or 4 times and then go for the start. Turn it over on the key that is.

 

[television]

Hi Andy, and welcome, I would just fire it up and get it warm so that the oil can be drained and changed, no point in taking out the plugs these days. do check that the dizzy cap is dry and also the rotor arm on both side

 

[popuptoaster]

fresh fuel, fresh oil, fresh battery and crank her over, always works for me

 

[roofless]

due to age when it starts just keep a eye on it for fuel leaks ect esp the underside

 

[Parrot of Doom]

As well as all other fluids (all of them) I'd be tempted to drain the tank and put fresh fuel in there. If its been standing for 2 years then the tyres will probably be even older - I'm not sure I'd want to drive on tyres that may be that old.

The battery will be completely flat as well.

 

[Smudge]

Good chance that the fuel in the injector unit may well have 'gone off' If so, you will need to clean it out as it turns into a nasty goo!

 

[meanie]

Some good advice here.
My top tip is also to drain the tank completely & blow out the fuel lines.
If any water in the fuel has separated it will not be stopped by the fuel filter,& is lethal as far as the metering head is concerned.
£25 quid on fuel is far better than a grand on a metering head!
ps,isn't 1977 a bit early for 500SL?Surely that should be a 450?

 

[scott2gogo]

500 sl standing

thanks for info will start after frost has gone,what oil would you recommend for this 350 with a 500 badge(well spotted meanie),son new all along but then i only stumped up some of the dosh, cheers andy

 

[television]

Just use a fully synthetic oil, they seldom burn oil

 

[popuptoaster]

my 280ce hadnt been run for 4 years but started up ok on the old fuel and a new battery, left the old oil in as well as it looked nice and clean and the car had been indoors, longest stored car i ever did was 9 years, that needed fresh fuel as it wouldn't fire at all on the old stuff but came to life as soon as i tipped some new stuff into the carb.