What else could I do?

[Parrot of Doom]

Right, since I got my car in November, I've done/had done the following in terms of maintainance:

Oil change
Oil filter change
Fuel filter change
Air filter change
Topped up PAS fluid
New diesel spill pipe (old one corroded)
New glow plugs (1 faulty plug welded into head, still there - too expensive to remove)
New glow plug control box
New anti-roll bar rods
New front ball joints
New front pads
New nearside front wheel bearing
4 new tyres
Fixed a leaky coolant pipe (back of engine bay, for matrix, sleeved it)
New belt tensioner pulley/shocker and new belt
Changed ATF and filter and gasket
Repaired gear selector (W-mode only fault)
Fixed front foglamp



Obviously some of those things are general maintainance, and some are repairs.

Is there anything more I can do with the engine to keep it in tip-top condition? What about any fuel additives, injector cleaners, oil additives, etc? Mileage is 167500 right now. Its a little clanky on startup but thats 99% likely because 1 glow plug is dead, and its welded in place so I'm not shifting it (previous owner bodge job).

 

[angus falconer]

Change Diff Oil.
Re-pack hubs with fresh grease

 

[television]

Brake fluid should be changed, makers say every two years, I do mine at 3-4 years, If you replace fluid as you go it is a simple job.

Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Change the breather on the diff and replace the diff oil seals.
Lubricate wiper mechanism
Change Pollen filter

 

[angus falconer]

Change Pollen filter

....and (if fitted) have your a/c serviced - Merc don't have a schedule for this but I'm having mine checked over next week and am having the gas re-charged. Go to a a/c specialist. Not expensive.

If you have leather clean it with proper leather cleaner and then feed with some hide food.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Change the breather on the diff and replace the diff oil seals.
Lubricate wiper mechanism
Change Pollen filter

The diff is possibly the best idea. Are there any guides on how to do it?

I presume theres a drain plug and a refill plug (I've seen one of either on the nearside)? Can I reverse my car up the ramps to do it, or does it need to be done with all wheels off the ground (rather than just the back wheels)?

What diff oil should I use?

How do I lube the wiper?

 

[Blobcat]

From your picture you have a W210, the breather has issues and has a tendancy to block. This causes the oil to be forced out of the oil seals, you can check this by looking at the diff from the back of the car. Mine wasn't dripping just 'wet'.
I didn't do mine as not able to get the vehicle on a ramp / lift. The recommended way, as the breather is on the top is to drop out the diff and to remove the oil seals to the centre drive shaft as well as to the wheels. If the breather has blocked then oil has most likely been forced past the oil seals so whilst the diff is out they should be replaced.
If you can get the vehicle up on stands then the only problem you should really face is being able to support the weight of the diff but a trolley jack should suffice. EP90 gear oil should be ok, however it would be worth checking. Don't know the capacity or fill level.
At my last MOT dealer said mine appeared to be leaking again. If it is at the next service they will be "replacing it FOC" (Their words)

I wouldn't recommend lubricating the wiper - only the mechanism - silicone grease is always nice. - As per other posts pop off the large cover on the wiper arm (in 12 O'Clock position) with bonnet up fully and lubricate the slider.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Its a 1997 W210 E300TD.

Yep, the area to the offside of the diff is covered in a light film of oil, as though its sprayed out under load. Theres a very very slight drip on the underside of the diff case, nothing major though.

Looks like the diff will be the next job then!

Is disconnecting the propshaft relatively easy? I can get the car on a ramp, I have a mate who has one we could use.

 

[Blobcat]

Its a 1997 W210 E300TD.

Yep, the area to the offside of the diff is covered in a light film of oil, as though its sprayed out under load. Theres a very very slight drip on the underside of the diff case, nothing major though.

Looks like the diff will be the next job then!

Is disconnecting the propshaft relatively easy? I can get the car on a ramp, I have a mate who has one we could use.

I understand it's not too bad, although as I said I haven't had the pleaseure on mine, I just paid for it. As you have access to a ramp I would recomend having a good look before you start.
Ensure you have the neccesary seals and breather ahead of time unless you have another means of getting to the motor factors / MB stores. Time wise I would give yourself most of the day.
When you do it perhaps you could put some pictures up.

 

[television]

If you take off propshaft the flanges should be marked,or make your own marks paint or center pop both surfaces, do the same with drive shafts. No special tools required
If you need any exact details, you only have to ask.

malcolm

 

[Stevie A]

On the 190E diff there are two plugs, one for filling at the top and one for draining at the bottom. The correct level is reached when the diff oil is flowing back out of the top one. I don't know if your car is similar but it probably is. Oil is 85W/90 I think. The car has to be level when doing the oil so get it on a level lifter like the exhaust fitters have. I paid the bloke who does my MOT to top my diff oil up. It's the kind of job that is simple but is likely to be over looked by people.

 

[television]

The correct level is reached when the diff oil is flowing back out of the top one. QUOTE]

That is called a stand pipe, The idea has been with us for 150 years.

Malcolm

 

[television]

To the Parrot, Do not get the vent confused with an oil leak, one will often see a oil stain around it, if oil is coming out there, it should be replaced.

Malcolm

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Could you clarify that please Malcolm?

Does the breather just need a clean, or should it be replaced?

 

[television]

Could you clarify that please Malcolm?

Does the breather just need a clean, or should it be replaced?

Yes Just saw this piece, and thought of you. What it said was that if oil is leaking out of it, it should be replaced, no mention of cleaning.
Diffs do get very hot, and the oil expands, and foams, the vent is there to stop the oil being forced out of the drive shaft seals.

Malcolm

Just seen something else re end cover if leaking but I do not think you have that problem