500SL Exhaust Manifold Nightmare

[Ken500SL]

Mercedes-Benz Park Royal have just quoted me £905 to replace the nearside exhaust manifold on my W107 500SL.

As I've only had the car a month, I am reluctant to part with so much cash - and £600 parts seems unreasonable!

Would any of you be able to suggest a cheap place to source MB parts, so that I could undertake the work myself (any advice willingly accepted, but I think I can handle an exhaust manifold change)??

The car is superb, has full history, but £905 is quite a wad of cash, and I suspect many of you may be wise on how to reduce MB repair costs!

Many thanks in advance for advice, :roll:

 

[TonyCoolDaddy]

I would say that your only chance is a mercedes specialist dismantler /breaker, I have not had to source one yet so I cant refer you, but an internet search should find some for you, and I suspect they would also be advertising in all Mercedes magazines. If you are lucky you will a manifold from a recent write of.

 

[Ken500SL]

Tony, thanks for the suggestion. I will do some searching. The initial approaches that I made to German&Swedish, Euro Carparts, and 'The Garage' were all unsuccessful.

I have since discovered the Mercedes part numbers, and MB prices:

1171408014 £376.65 (Manifold I assume)
1161400082 £23.36 (gasket I assume)
0011409860 £216.60 (bolts and clamps I assume)

All very scary stuff. I think I might consider doing a bodge job with some muffler repair putty from Hermetite, or Holts - well worth the risk give the cost otherwise I think.

Would anyone know if the manifold is the same from another Merc car?

 

[GrahamC230K]

If you want a Merc speacialist breakers, try Mercman (based in Southampton).

Ask for Ricky.

E-Mail : parts@mercman.net
Tel : 023 8078 4444
Fax: 023 8078 2444
url : http://www.mercman.net

 

[damonp1]

Hi

try Peter Michael BMW & Mercedes Independent, Nile St, Bolton. Directory enquiries will give you the number.

 

[angela mccaw]

merc breaker....derbyshire

TRY DAMAS ON 01246-822939....THEY BREAK MERCS ONLY

 

[Francois]

Or have stainless steel branches fitted in stead of the manifold...

 

[TimN]

If you have the old manifold still they can be repaired. I had a BMW manifold mig welded when it cracked.

 

[maddog]

If its a cast manifold they are very hard to weld it involves bringing the piece up to temperature slowly welding it and then cooling it very slowly.

It often fails and is normally cheaper and easier to replace the item.

 

[Ken500SL]

Gents

Thanks for the suggestions, and advice. I have tried every place suggested so far, and no joy. What I have learnt is that the manifold is unique to the SL, so no chance to get one from another car.

No other people I can think to ask now, so I think I may think about attempting a repair, maybe a weld, or some putty or something.

Anyone who knows of a W107 500SL that's being wrecked (81-89) please let me know!

Many thanks again,

 

[jaymanek]

Dronsfields are the largest breakers in the country - 01457871717

 

[Andy]

Hi

If the exhaust manifold is blowing. I doubt any putty will hold it. The manifold is cast iron & is extremely hard to weld & not always successful. If you have ever taken the exhaust manifold of one of these V8'S. And let me tell you I have. Its not a job you want to do twice. So unless you have are sure

1.The repair to the manifold is good.

2.The replacement manifold is in very good order.

Then I would get the part from MB & get a specialist to fit it for you. Remember. Though. A job like this have a couple of pit falls. The first and maybe the most problamatic one is. If the manifold stud breaks. Then its doubtfull unless a bit of it is sticking out you will get it off with the head is in situ. If it does and you decide to have a go at removing it. IF you NOT absolutely sure you can remove it with breaking of drills or slipping off and damaging the cylinder head. Then remove the head. Dont risk it.


Hope I have been of some help.


Regards

Andy@ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Ken500SL]

Thanks again for the replies on this topic, the advice is very much appreciated.

I will continue searching for a used manifold from a distmantler, as I just can't get my head around paying £400+ for a simple lump of metal (with no moving parts) from Mercedes.

Again, anyone know of a W107 500SL being wrecked ???? Please ??!

Would any of you be able to suggest a decent independent near West London? Once I find a replacement lump of metal for a reasonable price, I may just pay an expert to fit it and spare myself the grief.

MB quoted 3 hours labour, so hopefully it can be done reasonably swiftly.

Regards,

 

[Ken500SL]

Found a German company that could also supply the part, but at higher than the UK price once it was delivered (~£490).

Still looking for someone distmantling a W107 500SL ....... ! :cry:

 

[guydewdney]

www.findit.co.uk
www.ebay.co.uk
www.loot.com
?

 

[guydewdney]

http://www.findit.co.uk/cars/mercedes/parts/1101314.htm
(wanted - but he might have a spare)



thats all i could find.

 

[NormanB]

Mercedes-Benz Park Royal have just quoted me £905 to replace the nearside exhaust manifold on my W107 500SL.

As I've only had the car a month, I am reluctant to part with so much cash - and £600 parts seems unreasonable!

Would any of you be able to suggest a cheap place to source MB parts, so that I could undertake the work myself (any advice willingly accepted, but I think I can handle an exhaust manifold change)??

The car is superb, has full history, but £905 is quite a wad of cash, and I suspect many of you may be wise on how to reduce MB repair costs!

Many thanks in advance for advice, :roll:

Ken

Where is it blowing from, if it is a crack and readily accessible then I would have a go with a dremel and grind it out a wee bit, then with wire brush give it a good scouring and then wack some JB Weld (Halfords stock it) into the crack and pile up around surrounding area.

If it does not work you will have wasted a fiver and an hour or so grubbing.

If it works ( and I know its a big if) then you will have been 'quoted happy'.

NormanB

PS: If its broke you cannot break it twice.