Recommissioning my brother in law SL500 begins

[Mark333032]

Some of you may remember I posted a message some weeks ago about recomissioning my soon to be brother in laws restored but not driven for 5 years 1985 SL500. Well finally we were able to hire a trailer (which turned out to be the biggest thing I ever saw) and towed it over to my garage this afternoon. It sounds really rough - like it is only firing on 4 cylinders. So first I need a new battery and then I am going to have a go at cleaning out the injectors

1. What battery code is correct for this car? The dead one in it at the moment does not even fit the cradle properly
2. Has anyone had success at testing the spray pattern and cleaning their own injectors? If I fail, any recommendations on where I could send them to have them properly cleaned?
3. I still have not found a workshop manual. The one on a dis I bought on eBay turned out only to cover the engine. Sso anyone know where I can find one for a reasonable price?

Thanks very much

Mark

 

[Botus]

fuel will be in a right state...

modern petrol doesn't just go stale.... it falls apart creating jelly and rust
since LY we now have 5% ethanol junk that really starts to play games.... rubber pre 2005 doesn't do ethanol it goes brittle and falls to bits, same with O rings along with other fun

stuff that's 2 years old may not have trashed the system yet but don't count on it going forward
at 5 years it will be giving issues
really need to think from now on petrol has 4 months shelf life... then it gets progressively worse...

 

[LostKiwi]

fuel will be in a right state...

modern petrol doesn't just go stale.... it falls apart creating jelly and rust
since LY we now have 5% ethanol junk that really starts to play games.... rubber pre 2005 doesn't do ethanol it goes brittle and falls to bits, same with O rings along with other fun

stuff that's 2 years old may not have trashed the system yet but don't count on it going forward
at 5 years it will be giving issues
really need to think from now on petrol has 4 months shelf life... then it gets progressively worse...

Not strictly correct.
All my pre 2005 cars are fine with E10, including my 1993 r129.
You need to check individual models to find out about compatibility with ethanol.

A 1980s car will almost certainly not be happy with Ethanol but at 5% shouldn't cause too many issues.

 

[LostKiwi]

Some of you may remember I posted a message some weeks ago about recomissioning my soon to be brother in laws restored but not driven for 5 years 1985 SL500. Well finally we were able to hire a trailer (which turned out to be the biggest thing I ever saw) and towed it over to my garage this afternoon. It sounds really rough - like it is only firing on 4 cylinders. So first I need a new battery and then I am going to have a go at cleaning out the injectors

1. What battery code is correct for this car? The dead one in it at the moment does not even fit the cradle properly
2. Has anyone had success at testing the spray pattern and cleaning their own injectors? If I fail, any recommendations on where I could send them to have them properly cleaned?
3. I still have not found a workshop manual. The one on a dis I bought on eBay turned out only to cover the engine. Sso anyone know where I can find one for a reasonable price?

Thanks very much

Mark

To find the right battery try looking at Tayna or give MB Grangemouth a call and mention the forum. They give discounts and are very competitive.
Alternatively measure the battery tray and go from there.
It's probably an 019 or 096.

 

[davemercedes]

+1 for MB Grangemouth - couldn't be more helpful.

 

[00slk]

Not strictly correct.
All my pre 2005 cars are fine with E10, including my 1993 r129.
You need to check individual models to find out about compatibility with ethanol.

A 1980s car will almost certainly not be happy with Ethanol but at 5% shouldn't cause too many issues.

My 48 and 49 year old cars run fine on this rubbish fuel and my 35 year old engine in my 40 year old car like this crappy Ethanol stuff too, just hope it stays that way...........

 

[Botus]

I got an old bike on the road recently

all jap bikes ran unleaded from the 70's.... I'm running 97 esso super unleaded last two fill ups and it runs really happily, when I had 95 unleaded it didn't like starting, or idling

https://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/ACEA_E10_compatibility.pdf


Mercedes-Benz:


E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:

• Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.

• First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;



Analysis by motoring research charity the RAC Foundation unveiled the 10 most E10 incompatible cars:

• Volkswagen Golf (28,066)
• MG MGB (20,890)
• Mazda MX-5 (18,162)
• Nissan Micra (15,785)
• Morris Minor (12,796)
• Rover 25 (9,879)
• MG MGF (9,352)
• Ford Escort (8,947)
• Rover Mini (7,614)
• MG TF (7,568)

 

[LostKiwi]

I got an old bike on the road recently

all jap bikes ran unleaded from the 70's.... I'm running 97 esso super unleaded last two fill ups and it runs really happily, when I had 95 unleaded it didn't like starting, or idling

https://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/ACEA_E10_compatibility.pdf


Mercedes-Benz:


E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:

• Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.

• First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;



Analysis by motoring research charity the RAC Foundation unveiled the 10 most E10 incompatible cars:

• Volkswagen Golf (28,066)
• MG MGB (20,890)
• Mazda MX-5 (18,162)
• Nissan Micra (15,785)
• Morris Minor (12,796)
• Rover 25 (9,879)
• MG MGF (9,352)
• Ford Escort (8,947)
• Rover Mini (7,614)
• MG TF (7,568)

As I said, you need to check model by model and not just go with a blanket age statement.

That document also refers to E10 not E5 we have here.

 

[bembo449]

I doubtbthe running issue will be fuel related