R129 500sl - Repair or Sell as Spares????

Muzzy

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Hi All,

Following on from my earlier post regarding the throttle valve actuator needing to be replaced I finally sourced one (£365!) and had the garage fit it. **Edit, just realised there is no earlier thread. Was on a different forum! SOrry**

I've just been informed it doesn't work. Irritating to say the least. The real problem I'm having is that I need the car gone, hence throwing cash at getting it repaired.

Now this part has failed it's going to have to be moved back to my folks house where I need to either attempt to repair it again (time consuming) or just get shot of it. I don't fancy paying merc the £1k + for a new actuator which means hunting for another one.

Obviously I don't want to lose lots of money but at the same time it can't be sat around awaiting repairs. I have a daily driver and no space at mine for it and to be honest I've hardly used it this past year, I just couldn't face getting rid of it. I'm afraid though that the head must finally rule the heart.

I suppose what I am asking is what would it be worth as spares?

It's a 93 reg 500sl, about 110k, blue/grey/black in colour, 18" AMG wheels, engine is all good apart from this actuator, I think. Just passed it's mot.

I'm guessing it's worth a lot more fixed (about £4k???) but how much would you guess it's worth broken? Are these parts selling or will I be in a similar position but with half a car I can't store for weeks while bits are sold here and there?

Thanks in advance.
 
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television

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What was the original fault
 
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Muzzy

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The problem started when the car was hot. It would start perfectly and I would drive say the 5 miles to the petrol station. I'd fill up and then try and start it and nothing. It would turn over and then start back-firing (over fuelling?). Leave it to cool and it started without an issue.

More recently, and only on one occasion I put my foot down at a junction and nothing and then it took off like a scolded cat?
 
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Muzzy

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CPS maybe faulty?

Thanks for the reply.

Whats the CPS?

I've also been advised it could be the Dizzy caps as well as maybe a 'crank shaft sensor'?

I'm not mechanical so excuse the ignorance.
 

toby1

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1998 CL420 C140; 1997 SL500 R129
Yes, that's it. Not saying it is that but they fail when hot and recover when they cool down
 
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Muzzy

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Sorry, are you saying dizzy caps or the sensor?

Can I ask who you use to service your merc?

I'm just outside of Reading and where it is now have been extremely poor.
 

turbopete

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CPS = Crankshaft Position Sensor.

That would be my first choice too. and only aboutn £60 or so for the part (assuming theyre similar price to diesel ones!)
 

toby1

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Star Services at Caversham are forum supporters and have a very good reputation
 

davidsl500

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Distributor caps on mine, have to clean and dry them out every year - usually when at the start of autumn when the weather changes, otherwise it starts and then dies and wont restart when warm till it gets cold again....

now where's my thread on it.....
 

Richard Moakes

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++1 for the distributor caps and rotor arms

Just done mine, removed the caps, arm, arm adapter and insulator bowls. Found loads of moisture behind the bowls. Dried everything off and then use dielectric silicone grease to seal the insulator bowl to the head, hopefully preventing any future moisture from migrating back into the distributor cap.
 

WG M-B

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+2 for the dizzy caps. And even if it was the throttle actuator wiring loom. Most ecu repair companies rewire them for around 150 squid and no more problems!!!!!
 

mikestrivens

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i tried to get the throttle thingy repaired on my W124 when i had new wiring loom and that didn't work either. Ended up getting a new one.
 
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DSB SL AMG

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Sounds like you really need to get the car into a recommended MB indie for fault root-cause, a few have advised locations already...by using non approved garages, they will change parts adhoc with you funding the bill! (actually that's what stealers do as well:shock:)
 
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Muzzy

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Sounds like you really need to get the car into a recommended MB indie for fault root-cause, a few have advised locations already...by using non approved garages, they will change parts adhoc with you funding the bill! (actually that's what stealers do as well:shock:)

Unfortunately the car is with a recommended indie.

I had it towed down there, explained the problem, that I needed it working to sell and that it required an MOT.

They MOT'd it (passed) and told me that it was the actuator that was the issue. They wanted £1k+ for the part. I sourced a second hand one, had it delivered to the garage within 3 days. 2 weeks later they told me the new actuator was faulty and they wanted the car picked up asap as "it had been sat around for 3 weeks and they didn't have the room or time to fix it". It had been sat around because it took them 2 weeks to fit the part.

So, I'm £600 in for an MOT, a car that is not fixed and another £60 towing fee to get it home. Seriously unimpressed.

I'm surprised they didn't start with the CPS or Dizzy caps. It appears the obvious place to start reading these replies.

Guess I'm going to have to suck it up.

Thanks for the helpful replies, should have come here first!
 
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Muzzy

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MB.

I get the impression they're overstretched and cba with it.
 

toby1

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Odd specialist if they didn't know about the dizzy caps.
 

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