1979 280E M110 A/C Sunroof etc

[tony66au]

Picked this Signal red Gem up to try and stop my Son buying an older Falcon as his first car!

We were bidding on a 280CE in Melb on eBay with a shagged auto but the bidding was full of 0, 2 and low feedback bidders so I left it alone after the first few times my bids got tickled and my spidey senses went off.

Full books and service papers included and the Datacard which tell me this............



105A from 02.10.1970 MB-TEX MUSHROOM

568O from 1978 SIGNAL RED

466 from 01.04.1970 to 31.10.1993 CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM

480 from 01.03.1965 SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION

524 from 01.01.1964 PAINTCOAT PRESERVATION

533 from 01.01.1967 to 29.02.1984 INTERFERENCE SUPPRESSION WITHOUT RADIO SET

542 from 01.02.1963 to 29.02.1986 LOCKABLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT


570 from 01.04.1970 FOLDING ARMREST FRONT W202/210 STOWAGE BOX FRONT WITH ARMREST

580 from 01.04.1970 to 31.10.1982 BEHR AIR CONDITIONER


599 from 01.11.1973 to 28.02.1989 " HEAT-INSULATING GLASS FOR SIDE AND REAR WINDOW PANES; SEDAN: HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE

613 from 01.02.1963 " LAMP UNIT, ASYMMETRICAL, L.H. TRAFFIC"

625 from 01.08.1966 VERSION FOR AUSTRALIA

677 from 01.06.1965 to 30.11.1991 TROPICAL BATTERY

[tony66au]

PART_1405639798937.jpeg

One pic only until the car is delivered as the camera I used to take a pile of pics had a corrupt SD card :-(

So all i have is the MMS pic I sent my oldest to lure him into the gingerbread house of Mercedes.

[tony66au]

The car has one or 2 issues I can see right away, the Drivers side Bonnet Hinge is only opening a foot or so and the cable release is very sloppy which is why the bonnet is slightly open.

the car was a daily until 3 months ago, Had Bundts added recently although the original hubcaps are in the boot.

Im also told that an 'AMG' body kit goes with the car although i have yet to confirm exactly what it is

[Tony From West Oz]

I am sure that you will be confident of the safety of this (new) car.
I had a 280E (I swapped the engine for an OM617 though) and it was involved in a collision.
We were entering a Traffic light controlled intersection when a Korean POS turned across in front of us. I managed to brake, but I estimate that we hit the Korean POS at 50km/h and T-Boned it across the intersection. The POS was only worth parts value after that but luckily, neither occupant was injured.
Our W123 sedan was still running, with no damage to the radiator. All lights were working (but the LH headlight was misaligned and had a broken glass lens).
We pulled the LF mudguard off the tyre (another car and a tow rope) and drove our car home.

My wife had a small bruise where the safety belt protected her.

In a lesser vehicle we may have needed hospitalisation.

[tony66au]

Cheers Tony,

Yep the roads here are mostly 100 kph highways and with P platers being most likely to have a bingle id rather he be on the side of German Tank engineering than in a plastic fantastic.

He likes the idea and thinks the car is cool so thats a start, I suspect that it will grow on him in time and if not? then I have a daily driver to play with.

Win win in my books lol

[tony66au]

A quick question,

Is it unusual for a W123 Sedan to have SLS?

And yes the car has a towbar fitted.

[tsharkey]

A quick question,

Is it unusual for a W123 Sedan to have SLS?

And yes the car has a towbar fitted.

More often than not, the Series 1 W123 I have seen have SLS (both Petrol & Diesel, coupe & sedan), but by the 80's it seemed to be only on wagons. I don't know if could be ordered as a special option there after.

Classy 1st driver for junior, hope my boys can be similarly lured into one of these.

[tony66au]

A quick question,

Is it unusual for a W123 Sedan to have SLS?

And yes the car has a towbar fitted.

More often than not, the Series 1 W123 I have seen have SLS (both Petrol & Diesel, coupe & sedan), but by the 80's it seemed to be only on wagons. I don't know if could be ordered as a special option there after.

Classy 1st driver for junior, hope my boys can be similarly lured into one of these.

Took a bit of luring I can tell you lol

Had a look at the body kit that came with the car and it is indeed an AMG kit, Side skirts and a bootlid spoiler.

Now I need to find an EPC for the thing as initial sorting shows a good spark but she wont start and i have no idea where to look for fuel pump relays or if theres an in tank pump etc.

Im not getting fuel pump noise when the Ign lights up so I suspect the pump or relay is where I start.

Also went and grabbed 45 lt of BP 98 and gave her a top up too.

Exhaust system is patched, missing most of its hanger rubbers too so a full exhaust system is top of the list plus hangers, Ign kit and filters too plus a handfull of electrical bits, relays etc.

Anything a bit sporty in exhaust systems available?

The cast manifolds are 2 sets of 3 into 2 into 1 from what I could see and the boy was impressed when i explained the effect to him.

The car also seems to have a VDO cruise control fitted.

Suggestions welcome! (And because im not paying lol)

[tony66au]

Piccies!

Gave her an initial hand wash, Well Alex did under my supervision.

Pics are over exposed crappy android phone pics so the colour isn't apparent.

[Greg in Oz]

Nice to get our young drivers into something we are comfortable with them driving (and we are comfortable maintaining). Prior to our older son learning to drive, I was fortunate to pick up a tidy 1992 190E 2.3 on eBay for very little money (see viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12502 ). Not only is he happy to drive it now he has his P-plates, but it is also my wife's first choice of car to drive. I have since fitted it with a set of CLK 16" x 7" rims (now fitted with decent tyres) to hopefully prevent our son from attempting to fit something inappropriate.

[tony66au]

Nice to get our young drivers into something we are comfortable with them driving (and we are comfortable maintaining). Prior to our older son learning to drive, I was fortunate to pick up a tidy 1992 190E 2.3 on eBay for very little money (see viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12502 ). Not only is he happy to drive it now he has his P-plates, but it is also my wife's first choice of car to drive. I have since fitted it with a set of CLK 16" x 7" rims (now fitted with decent tyres) to hopefully prevent our son from attempting to fit something inappropriate.

Yes, that was a worry with mine and sure enough "Spinner" rims were brought up in conversation lol

Well its a nice warm sunny day and the boy was sent off to autobarn to buy some Auto Glym products to clean the interior MB Tex and both he and a female friend are now elbow deep in upholstery removing 30 years of grime.

I pulled all the carpets and backing which is also getting a dose of sunshine and the bug has bit him hard.

The Bundts are not a favourite so i told him id take em off his hands and as the car came with a full set of hubcaps I suggested maybe some wider steel rims (?) or another set of Mags from Mercedes benz so the insurance company doesnt crack the poops.

He is still tossing up weather or not to refit the AMG kit....

[Greg in Oz]

...Well its a nice warm sunny day and the boy was sent off to autobarn to buy some Auto Glym products to clean the interior MB Tex and both he and a female friend are now elbow deep in upholstery removing 30 years of grime.

I pulled all the carpets and backing which is also getting a dose of sunshine and the bug has bit him hard...

Nothing like giving the kids some cleaning and detailing duties to familiarise them with car ownership.

[tony66au]

Yup, I agree.

A good test of commitment is willingness to start and finish grubby jobs and wheel cleaning is one of my favorites.

I think I now know where the Fuel pump relay is too, Behind the passenger side kick panel which is sneaky lol

Found a spare fuel pump which is the same as the D and K jet pump for the W116's so I'll use my spare as a test pump to get the girl running and then the boy can shell out for a new one for reliability.
Might have a fuel filter for the old girl too so that's next on the list with the usual fuel system culprits like the in tank filter etc

He went and bought on my suggestion a handful of Auto Glym cleaning products including the interior shampoo for the MB Tex and that's coming up really nice too.

A few more pics this time taken with my DSLR so it shows the real colour lol.








Gave the engine bay a cursory degrease and yesterday hit it with the first of many rounds of non solvent degreaser which cuts through the grunge much better than spray can degreaser.

[tony66au]

Have had no luck finding the fuel pump relay, engine bay drew a blank, Left hand kick panel drew a blank as did both under dash panels and the right hand kick panel shows a relay block with 3 spots for relays and 2 filled with standard sized alloy cans and an empty space I believe is for diesel cars and the glow plug relay.

So any clues as to where the relay is?

I have a spare fuel pump for the car to get her going but I dont want to order a new relay and pump until I am closer to having the car registered and running when she will get fresh ignition parts, plugs, leads, filters, pump and relay.

On the bright side #1 Son has done quite a good job on the interior!

Tony

[tony66au]

BTW I just rechecked the LH A pillar next to glove box liner location and theres nothing there, I actually have the glovebox liner removed and rechecked with a good light source and all I can find on the LH side is what looks like a loom plug lower down.

Might have to drop a battery in the car and play with the AFM Flap to see if I get a click from somewhere but this is driving me nuts!

[Greg in Oz]

...Might have to drop a battery in the car and play with the AFM Flap to see if I get a click from somewhere but this is driving me nuts!

That's assuming the AFM flap operates a switch for the fuel pump relay. Only some K-Jet cars had this. On my 500SLC (which is only slightly younger than your 280E) the FPR uses ignition pulses to tell it whether or not the engine is running. The ignition pulses are also used to allow the FPR to include the engine overspeed cutout feature. To provide these functions the FPR therefore contains some electronics (which was the source of intermittent running problems a while back). The 500SLC therefore doesn't have any electrical connections to the AFM.

It's so long since I have owned a 123 (and even then ours was a diesel) so I can't help with guiding you to the FPR location. In my 500SLC it is above the other relays (above the fuse box) in the passenger (right) side footwell. Maybe someone more familiar with the 123 can advise (JG?).

[Tony From West Oz]

Have had no luck finding the fuel pump relay, engine bay drew a blank, Left hand kick panel drew a blank as did both under dash panels and the right hand kick panel shows a relay block with 3 spots for relays and 2 filled with standard sized alloy cans and an empty space I believe is for diesel cars and the glow plug relay.

Tony

Tony,
GP Relay in Diesel W123s is on the LHS inner guard, opposite the Injector Pump.

Tony

[tsharkey]

Have had no luck finding the fuel pump relay, engine bay drew a blank, Left hand kick panel drew a blank as did both under dash panels and the right hand kick panel shows a relay block with 3 spots for relays and 2 filled with standard sized alloy cans and an empty space I believe is for diesel cars and the glow plug relay.

So any clues as to where the relay is?

I have a spare fuel pump for the car to get her going but I dont want to order a new relay and pump until I am closer to having the car registered and running when she will get fresh ignition parts, plugs, leads, filters, pump and relay.

On the bright side #1 Son has done quite a good job on the interior!

Tony

Fuel Pump Relay.jpg

According to an old wiring diagram (See above) I have it is one of those standard silver alloy cans you referenced. Located in the relay box (above the accelerator cable in the engine bay). This is for a 77 W123 280E.

[tony66au]

Thanks Tsharkey, Im going to go back and look harder at that cluster!

[tony66au]

Relay found dead and in a group of 3 on the drivers side up near the firewall.

Replaced along with a host of minor bits as well as a dud fuel pump (Which worked with a whack only) I swapped out for a known working pump from a V8 D jet car and she ran rough as guts with virtually no acceleration.

So a bit of tweaking if the mix via the hex key grub screw on the AFM and she now drives nicely!

Front brakes are binding a bit so I'll have a look at that and maybe refurbished calipers and a fresh set of Brake hoses just coz (LOL Just coz im spending the boys hard earned cash) and then some body work and a once over of bushes etc

Then its some interior bits, Dash light rheostat has gone (I assume) as theres no dash lights and the boy reliably informs me he would really like Air-conditioning.

Talked him out of vinyl dying the Mushroom interior with White VHT for now and will grab a wrecked 116 seat so he can have a go and see how it looks BEFORE buggering the nice interior he has.

Next on the list is a sports exhaust system as he figures that even an OEM system will cost him close to a grand so I suggested Stainless, perhaps headers or similar and carbon turbo mufflers.
Question is does anyone have any supplier suggestions?

All in all im proud of the lad for showing uncommonly good sense and restraint making some hard choices with guidance!

:-D

Tony

[julian]

G'day and nice ride!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a suggestion for a modification for your son.

Quit Smoking.

Spend the money he saves on a nice set of tyres, or even better a pair of Ray-Ban clubmasters or wayfarers. They would match the car and if polarised will increase the pleasure and safety of the driving experience.

[tony66au]

G'day and nice ride!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a suggestion for a modification for your son.

Quit Smoking.

Spend the money he saves on a nice set of tyres, or even better a pair of Ray-Ban clubmasters or wayfarers. They would match the car and if polarised will increase the pleasure and safety of the driving experience.

Got kids Julian?

[tony66au]

SO!

Had the car running sweet, parked her up for a month while the boys bank account grew and recovered after Christmas and water in the fuel system has rendered the fuel pump DOA and I suspect the dist module and injectors have rust as well.

The lesson?

When Dad says buy BP/Shell/Caltex ulp dont buy cheap arse E10

So the big push to register the car came to a screaming halt.

A few items on the wish list on top of injectors, pump, filters and whatever else has been water/rust damage on the Kjet system (Suggestions on what needs to be refurbed replaced welcome.)

4 steel wheels to suit as he wants to use the original wheel covers, width? offset or compatibility.

A nice exhaust system pref stainless in original config but open to suggestions.

And ANY suggestions on whats going to need fixing on the K jet system now its rusty accepted with thanks.

[mathuisella]

So, what happened to this car ?

yeah E10 is faeces. Causes nothing but problems.

[mathuisella]

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/263246379131?chn=ps

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/223005710611?chn=ps

just in case you come back and take a look, here's some pumps :)

[tony66au]

Well. The car is still here but in Limbo as the boy has Moved to melbourne and is busy with life, work and so on.

All the bits are in the boot along with some parts I want to replace so we know that they have been done and I have a timeline for maintenance on steering, suspension etc.

Im still busy with the C107 and want to finish that after which the W116 450SE K jet car gets finished, after this its a toss up between the W116 280S and the W123 280E but the lad has to cough up for parts and get his hands dirty on the thing.
His diversion to All things Volvo taught me that if Dad fixing it with minimal involvement by Son is an option it very quickly becomes the ONLY option which derails my Teaching moment ideaology.

Thanks for the links to the furl pumps but I learned to buy this sort of thing in Bulk and still have 5 left in the box of 10 I bought a few years ago, Not AS good as the genuine Bosch items but as they go on so many Euro cars and I paid 380 for a box of 10 I thought it was worth a shot lol.