pugboy
Active Member
Hi everyone
I've been browsing this forum for weeks in the run up to my purchase. Having owned a W123 280E I got the Merc bug, just fell in love with that 'sturdy' engineering appeal. Me and a few mates drove across Europe in the W123 and unfortunately had to sell her in Bulgaria. Despite a bit of a petrol whiff and quite high oil consumption (what i call character!) the old girl never missed a beat...Anyway, I digress...
I have now bought a 1990 H-plate 300ce. She's pretty much there except for one or two minor issues, a rip in the leather side bolster (which makes me think the mileage may be suspect but am not too concerned about providing the maintenance has been carried out), and about a 1 inch square patch of rust on the rear corner of one of the rear arches, both of which i hope to be able to sort for 2 or 300 quid. Other than that, she seems to run very well and all the auto changes are smooth. No water in the oil or any other obvious signs of neglect.
I've been reading about overheating being the main issue on these engines (m103) but am slightly confused whether it's one problem or a number of potential problems. I have read there are different fans on different aged cars, and that the viscous coupling can cause issues, or perhaps the thermocouple that actuates the fan?? I wanted to try and have a look at this on mine before it goes wrong and try and fix it sooner rather than later if there is a potential issue. I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone who can clarify the situation. Mine is an October 1990 car.
Brilliant forum guys, keep up the good work and feel of cameraderie.
Chris
I've been browsing this forum for weeks in the run up to my purchase. Having owned a W123 280E I got the Merc bug, just fell in love with that 'sturdy' engineering appeal. Me and a few mates drove across Europe in the W123 and unfortunately had to sell her in Bulgaria. Despite a bit of a petrol whiff and quite high oil consumption (what i call character!) the old girl never missed a beat...Anyway, I digress...
I have now bought a 1990 H-plate 300ce. She's pretty much there except for one or two minor issues, a rip in the leather side bolster (which makes me think the mileage may be suspect but am not too concerned about providing the maintenance has been carried out), and about a 1 inch square patch of rust on the rear corner of one of the rear arches, both of which i hope to be able to sort for 2 or 300 quid. Other than that, she seems to run very well and all the auto changes are smooth. No water in the oil or any other obvious signs of neglect.
I've been reading about overheating being the main issue on these engines (m103) but am slightly confused whether it's one problem or a number of potential problems. I have read there are different fans on different aged cars, and that the viscous coupling can cause issues, or perhaps the thermocouple that actuates the fan?? I wanted to try and have a look at this on mine before it goes wrong and try and fix it sooner rather than later if there is a potential issue. I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone who can clarify the situation. Mine is an October 1990 car.
Brilliant forum guys, keep up the good work and feel of cameraderie.
Chris
