W123 Servicing guides etc.

[CQ8]

Congratulations! I've got a 280te as a daily snotter and it's a great car. With the seats down it's one of the best load luggers around

Like most of them, my front seats are pretty worn out and sagging but I'm used to it now so not sure I'll bother sorting it. You can buy new bases and I think you can put the old covers back on but I've never done it so not the best person to comment. There's a chap by the name of Mark Cosovich who sells 2nd hand parts for the w123's and is also the MBOC technical adviser for them. It's a good source of info but he can be abit snobby about those of us who buy one cheap!

Interesting articles and Mark's contact info here

http://mercedes-w123.net/

Don't know about forums, I'm a member of the MBOC and they have a forum but I've not visited it much. There's a w123 message board here:

http://groups.msn.com/W123Club/messageboard.msnw

There's lots of really useful info on there but there doesn't seem to be a search function so I end up trawling through every page. Fortunately, the main problems are covered fairly often so you don't usually have to search too far. There's also an announcements section with for sale/wanted ads.

Hope you enjoy it. The 6 cylinder is not the fastest or most refined but I love mine.

Edited by CQ8 on Sunday 12th August 20:44

[Pentoman]

www.mercedesshop.com has a lot of dedicated (US based) W123ers. There are hundredes of them in the diesel discussion forum, with W123s with silly mileages into the 3,4,500 thousands.

[benyeats]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Firstly if you only have 4 cylinders then you have been had

Haynes manual wise I have one that I am sure you can have on an extended borrow basis to be returned if I get another W123 at some point.

Regarding the rattles (I assume you mean from the engine) I think this can be fixed by adjusting the valve clearance, I got as far as removing the rocker cover but could not get a spanner to fit and make the change so just left it. All cars I have seen with the 280 engine seem to suffer from this.

Nothing magic about oil or brake pad changes on the car, both are relatively easy.

Seem to recall some company in the US does seat re-furb kits that can solve the saggy bottom problem. If relevant I am somewhat of an expert in re-building the electric window switches !

Can't think of much more to tell you but let me know if you think of anything else.

Ben

[benyeats]

Just read your post on the bargain barge thread.

I have done the dash lights before it should be a very simple fix. However on mine it was something more fundamental than the bulb and it required a bit of bodging to make it work, was fine for years after. Silly question but you might have a dimming dash (twist the clock adjust lever) that is set at minimum giving the appearance of no dash lights.

Ben

[benyeats]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It was ambiguous at best !

Yep that is the noise I mean, I gave up because of lack of the correct tools but it should not be more than say 3 hours work for a suitably equipped mechanic.

Now I think about it I probably have the Merc workshop CDs for this car as well

Just did a search of alt.auto.mercedes which was the main resource on the web for Merc advice when I had mine and found these suggested valve settings to improve rattle.

"Tappet noise is normal for this engine. You can improve it and almost
eliminate it if you adjust the exhaust valves slightly tighter than spec.
Spec is 0,1mm on input and 0,25 mm on exhaust. I adjust exhaust to 0,2.
Note: The engine requires frequent valve adjustments (every 20.000 km),
and if you want to keep the came-shafts in good shape you should also
take care about oil changes (at least every 10.000 km).
The cames are a weak point if neglected."

Other searching shows that a 17mm 'crows foot' spanner is best for doing the adjustment.

Ben

[madras]

Nice buy! I have the 280CE in the same colour.

Don't change the interior though I think you'll spoil it, although I agree it would be better in leather. I have cream in mine. I think these are one of THE best cars ever built. I recently bought a 10 year newer W126 300SE and it's not a patch on the W123 IMO. I just love the rubbery suspension.

If you ever sell it please PM! I think you got the link above, I have the Haynes manual for it so yes it's available.
Thanks