Touring my R129 - advice please.

jonthetourist

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1991 SL300-24
I am at the early stage of planning a September tour in France.

We have to be in the Loire Valley in late Sept for an event, but have been offered stays in friend's holiday homes in the Alps and the Dordogne, so I am thinking of a grand tour. Tunnel and overnight in Champagne district, a few nights in the ski apt, long day's drive to Dordogne, a few days by the pool, then up to the Loire for a nice weekend, followed by the ferry home. Total mileage circa 1800.

First question is, do I set off with the hardtop on? Sounds illogical in September, but a lot of the driving will be driving rather than touring, and the cabin is a quieter place on a fast road with the hard-top on. We could then whip it off at each stop and go pottering about with the top down. Any views on this?

Second one is preventive maintenance. My mileage is approaching 100k, which is reckoned to be head gasket replacement time on the M104 engine. Am I right in thinking I should get some advance warning in the shape of an oil leak? Nothing at present. Anything else I should be thinking about, bearing in mind I will be doing higher mileages at higher temperatures than the car is getting at present.

All thoughts welcome!

Thanks

Jon
(also posted in t'other place)
 

television

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I could have swore that I answered this,,, we did a big tour of Sweden with no hard top and it was fine.

I would get a bottle of K seal, they are very small and will stop any leaks on the 104 if any problems
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
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Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
What - before I asked?? That's clever.

Thanks for the tip on K seal, Malcolm. Can you confirm if I should see an oi leak first before head gasket failure?

Jon

I forgot to click on post :D:D

Not at all, if it starts to lose water and any water bubbles on the dip stick, they will be the signs The bottle size is about 4" x 1½" so it takes up no room
 


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