Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
Jaime wrote: I've found that if stored correctly, they can come back to life very nicely. Whats important is that things didn't start to rust, seize, or get stuck. I also don't bother with cars with higher mileage. A car needs to be pretty special for one reason or another to warrant this kind of attention. When I was at the dealership, we had a customer bring his mother's 1977 Cadillac Seville. It had the 350 engine and the car had 13,000 miles. She had parked it for nearly 20 years. GM makes this stuff called GM Top Engine Cleaner. I thought maybe it was worthless like many fuel system supplements. But, we pulled the plugs out and poured that stuff into the cylinders and let it soak for 3 days. We changed the oil twice and refilling it each time. We manually turned it over to get it blow a lot of that crap out of the cylinders. Finally, when we did start it, it worked. I don't know what was in it, but it cleaned all the varnish and carbon out of the engine and it ran very well. We changed the plugs after 1000 miles and changed the oil again and that car ran great! Or at least as well as a 1977 Cadillac could run. Just last month, my indy decided to get his Ferrari (it's an early 80's model) running again. He tried to start it and had no luck. The fuel pumps were shot. He tried to find Ferrari replacement pumps and they were $5000 EACH. So, he ended up taking the old ones out and rebuilding them himself. I told him you have to start and drive these cars (he probably has 20 beautiful and exotic cars in his shop that haven't been driven in 20 years). I offered to come down every Saturday and drive them all, but he declined. :) Donald H. Snook ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
Good stuff Jaime. I always enjoy your posts:) Sent from my iPhone On Jan 4, 2013, at 6:41 PM, Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com wrote: It really depends on what kind of car, how long its been sitting, and in what type of conditions it was stored. My 450SLC 5.0 was a pretty extreme case, having been sitting 10+ years. It was important that it was stored in a dry place. That is, looking under the valve covers showed no rust at all. Just oily surfaces. If you see rust, its bad, might be junk. Heres a short (and probably incomplete list of what was done): 1) Replace complete fuel system, everything: used fuel tank, new pump, filter, accumulator, all hoses at tank and engine, rebuilt fuel distributor, rebuilt warm up regulator, new injectors. Blow out and flush solid lines. 2) Remove plugs, put some oil in cylinders, and make sure engine can rotate by hand. You may want to soak, etc here. 3) With fresh oil and filter, and plugs still out, crank engine with starter to build oil pressure. Best done without fuel pump running. 4) Install new plugs, if ignition looks questionable, replace everything. 5) Start engine. 6) Do some basic tuning, it should run pretty well at this point. Now identify everything else you need to do. From here: replace all fluids (trans, PS, diff, coolant). All brakes, including hoses. Then you can drive the car a bit and see what else you need to do. The point is to replace everything so the car is reliable and you're not chasing gremlins for months or years. Its extreme, I know. I've found that if stored correctly, they can come back to life very nicely. Whats important is that things didn't start to rust, seize, or get stuck. I also don't bother with cars with higher mileage. A car needs to be pretty special for one reason or another to warrant this kind of attention. My 1967 300SEL was worse than the 450SLC 5.0, but came back just as well. I also had to do air suspension stuff, free up the injection pump, and deal with damage from mice. But its a really cool car with 53k documented miles, well worth the effort. Still loads of work to do on this one. Jaime On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 5:50 PM, Rick Knoble rickkno...@hotmail.com wrote: On Jan 4, 2013, at 4:33 PM, Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com wrote: And the cars I buy are ones that most people are terrified of: ones that have sat unused for long periods of time. But getting them back into original running condition is what I enjoy doing. I have one or two cars that have been parked for a while. I also come across cars that have been parked for long periods for sale. What needs attention and what should be looked at when preparing a long sitting auto for return to service? Rick Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Jaime Kopchinski http://www.jaimekop.com/ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
I pulled a 220D out of a snow drift a few years ago: http://images.jaimekop.com/2005_02_20_220D_Ice/ I have no idea how long it sat there, but the seller happened to have a good battery, so we threw it in and it started. I figured if it started so easily after being packed in ice, it was worth saving. There was no real rust on the car, but it had no brakes and no clutch hydraulics functioning. I took it home, did my thing, found some scary stuff like this: http://images.jaimekop.com/2005_02_28_220D/2005_02_28_220D-Pages/Image6.html After getting it going, I drove it for a few months, then sold it to a friend. He drove it year or two, the sold it to someone else. Last I heard, it threw a rod. Theres a lesson in here somewhere I always wonder if I did damage trying to start it in the snow drift, or if it was on its way out all along. I do wish I still had that car, even if it needed an engine... it was fun and pretty clean. Worth more now than it was then. Jaime On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 12:17 AM, Jim Cathey j...@windwireless.net wrote: The Frankenheap (115 200D) was pretty simple. By the license plate on it I guessed it had been sitting for 10 years, and it was outside when I saw it. I put a battery in it, and started it. Ran perfectly. Did have to do some work, such as connecting up a cooling system and an alternator, before it was drivable. The heater too, later. I do like a nice little diesel! -- Jim __**_ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.comhttp://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Jaime Kopchinski http://www.jaimekop.com/ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
Another cool story:) Sent from my iPhone On Jan 5, 2013, at 7:58 AM, Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com wrote: I pulled a 220D out of a snow drift a few years ago: http://images.jaimekop.com/2005_02_20_220D_Ice/ I have no idea how long it sat there, but the seller happened to have a good battery, so we threw it in and it started. I figured if it started so easily after being packed in ice, it was worth saving. There was no real rust on the car, but it had no brakes and no clutch hydraulics functioning. I took it home, did my thing, found some scary stuff like this: http://images.jaimekop.com/2005_02_28_220D/2005_02_28_220D-Pages/Image6.html After getting it going, I drove it for a few months, then sold it to a friend. He drove it year or two, the sold it to someone else. Last I heard, it threw a rod. Theres a lesson in here somewhere I always wonder if I did damage trying to start it in the snow drift, or if it was on its way out all along. I do wish I still had that car, even if it needed an engine... it was fun and pretty clean. Worth more now than it was then. Jaime On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 12:17 AM, Jim Cathey j...@windwireless.net wrote: The Frankenheap (115 200D) was pretty simple. By the license plate on it I guessed it had been sitting for 10 years, and it was outside when I saw it. I put a battery in it, and started it. Ran perfectly. Did have to do some work, such as connecting up a cooling system and an alternator, before it was drivable. The heater too, later. I do like a nice little diesel! -- Jim __**_ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.comhttp://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Jaime Kopchinski http://www.jaimekop.com/ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
I pulled a 220D out of a snow drift a few years ago: Car seems very similar to mine, in a way. I paid $100 for mine, probably could have gotten it for less. I figured the Euro headlights alone were worth the price, how could I lose? Full story: http://userweb.windwireless.net/~jimc/frankenheap.html I'll miss it when it dies. The rust is really getting a hold on it. Thank you, DOT, for the gift of the salt. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
'Reminds me: In Greenland in '78 Finish, salvage contractors put batteries (salvaged) in discarded Air Force pickup trucks that had been sitting unused at Sondrestrom Air Base dump for MANY years, started 'em right up and drove 'em around base all summer while doing rest of their contract; after putting rest of their salvaged stuff aboard ship, they put their drivable trucks aboard and off they went. Wilton - Original Message - From: Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 7:58 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars I pulled a 220D out of a snow drift a few years ago: http://images.jaimekop.com/2005_02_20_220D_Ice/ I have no idea how long it sat there, but the seller happened to have a good battery, so we threw it in and it started. I figured if it started so easily after being packed in ice, it was worth saving. There was no real rust on the car, but it had no brakes and no clutch hydraulics functioning. I took it home, did my thing, found some scary stuff like this: http://images.jaimekop.com/2005_02_28_220D/2005_02_28_220D-Pages/Image6.html After getting it going, I drove it for a few months, then sold it to a friend. He drove it year or two, the sold it to someone else. Last I heard, it threw a rod. Theres a lesson in here somewhere I always wonder if I did damage trying to start it in the snow drift, or if it was on its way out all along. I do wish I still had that car, even if it needed an engine... it was fun and pretty clean. Worth more now than it was then. Jaime On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 12:17 AM, Jim Cathey j...@windwireless.net wrote: The Frankenheap (115 200D) was pretty simple. By the license plate on it I guessed it had been sitting for 10 years, and it was outside when I saw it. I put a battery in it, and started it. Ran perfectly. Did have to do some work, such as connecting up a cooling system and an alternator, before it was drivable. The heater too, later. I do like a nice little diesel! -- Jim __**_ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.comhttp://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Jaime Kopchinski http://www.jaimekop.com/ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
I have a set of doors and a trunk lid sleeping away in my garage... clay On Jan 5, 2013, at 6:44 AM, Jim Cathey wrote: I pulled a 220D out of a snow drift a few years ago: Car seems very similar to mine, in a way. I paid $100 for mine, probably could have gotten it for less. I figured the Euro headlights alone were worth the price, how could I lose? Full story: http://userweb.windwireless.net/~jimc/frankenheap.html I'll miss it when it dies. The rust is really getting a hold on it. Thank you, DOT, for the gift of the salt. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
I have a set of doors and a trunk lid sleeping away in my garage... I have two front doors, with mirrors on. The car is losing fenders, quarter panels, rockers, etc. Doors too, but they're not the main problem. Upholstery is dying rapidly, as is the headliner. I'm amazed at how good the car looks in the pictures on the website as compared to today. Frickin' DOT and EPA, and their damned salt. (They use to sand here, but the EPA forced them to quit because of airborne particulates in the spring. Enter salt.) -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
sadly, I do not have the rotten parts you need in good condition. I am being taunted by a r107 down in Mossy Rock that wants to be my parts car. SWMBA would skin me if the thing showed up. It is 1976, so not much under the hood I could use. Pix are not good on CL, but looks like seat shiny bits are still there. Save $120 over new. That is 10% of what he wants. Center console on Froggy needs attention and this one looks ok. I need a back yard in which to stash this while I strip it. Does anybody know if you can retro engineer the K-jet M117 to be used in a D-Jet application? Most the the block and head could be used as parts or rebuild? for swapping in the D-jet. clay 1974 450sl - Frosch - Two tone green 1972 220D - Gump - She is green, simple and ran 1995 E300D - Cleo - Used by the Queen of Denial POS 1987 SDL - Beware Nigerian Scammers On Jan 5, 2013, at 3:24 PM, Jim Cathey wrote: I have a set of doors and a trunk lid sleeping away in my garage... I have two front doors, with mirrors on. The car is losing fenders, quarter panels, rockers, etc. Doors too, but they're not the main problem. Upholstery is dying rapidly, as is the headliner. I'm amazed at how good the car looks in the pictures on the website as compared to today. Frickin' DOT and EPA, and their damned salt. (They use to sand here, but the EPA forced them to quit because of airborne particulates in the spring. Enter salt.) -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
On Jan 4, 2013, at 4:33 PM, Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com wrote: And the cars I buy are ones that most people are terrified of: ones that have sat unused for long periods of time. But getting them back into original running condition is what I enjoy doing. I have one or two cars that have been parked for a while. I also come across cars that have been parked for long periods for sale. What needs attention and what should be looked at when preparing a long sitting auto for return to service? Rick Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
It really depends on what kind of car, how long its been sitting, and in what type of conditions it was stored. My 450SLC 5.0 was a pretty extreme case, having been sitting 10+ years. It was important that it was stored in a dry place. That is, looking under the valve covers showed no rust at all. Just oily surfaces. If you see rust, its bad, might be junk. Heres a short (and probably incomplete list of what was done): 1) Replace complete fuel system, everything: used fuel tank, new pump, filter, accumulator, all hoses at tank and engine, rebuilt fuel distributor, rebuilt warm up regulator, new injectors. Blow out and flush solid lines. 2) Remove plugs, put some oil in cylinders, and make sure engine can rotate by hand. You may want to soak, etc here. 3) With fresh oil and filter, and plugs still out, crank engine with starter to build oil pressure. Best done without fuel pump running. 4) Install new plugs, if ignition looks questionable, replace everything. 5) Start engine. 6) Do some basic tuning, it should run pretty well at this point. Now identify everything else you need to do. From here: replace all fluids (trans, PS, diff, coolant). All brakes, including hoses. Then you can drive the car a bit and see what else you need to do. The point is to replace everything so the car is reliable and you're not chasing gremlins for months or years. Its extreme, I know. I've found that if stored correctly, they can come back to life very nicely. Whats important is that things didn't start to rust, seize, or get stuck. I also don't bother with cars with higher mileage. A car needs to be pretty special for one reason or another to warrant this kind of attention. My 1967 300SEL was worse than the 450SLC 5.0, but came back just as well. I also had to do air suspension stuff, free up the injection pump, and deal with damage from mice. But its a really cool car with 53k documented miles, well worth the effort. Still loads of work to do on this one. Jaime On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 5:50 PM, Rick Knoble rickkno...@hotmail.com wrote: On Jan 4, 2013, at 4:33 PM, Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com wrote: And the cars I buy are ones that most people are terrified of: ones that have sat unused for long periods of time. But getting them back into original running condition is what I enjoy doing. I have one or two cars that have been parked for a while. I also come across cars that have been parked for long periods for sale. What needs attention and what should be looked at when preparing a long sitting auto for return to service? Rick Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Jaime Kopchinski http://www.jaimekop.com/ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
On Jan 4, 2013, at 5:41 PM, Jaime Kopchinski jaime...@gmail.com wrote: The point is to replace everything so the car is reliable and you're not chasing gremlins for months or years. Its extreme, I know. Thanks Jaime. Rick Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
Jaime Kopchinski wrote: And the cars I buy are ones that most people are terrified of: ones that have sat unused for long periods of time. But getting them back into original running condition is what I enjoy doing. Rick Knoble wrote: What needs attention and what should be looked at when preparing a long sitting auto for return to service? Always be suspicious of the brakes. Fluid will absorb water while sitting, rotors rust, calipers seize. Diesel fuel is usually fine sitting for 5+ years. Be wary of algae and water at the bottom of the tank. Look for rodent nests - and chewed wires and hoses. They will chew places other than their nests, but they do seem to chew more near the nest. Then fire 'em up and drive 'em! -- Philip ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Rejuvenating Long Parked Cars
The Frankenheap (115 200D) was pretty simple. By the license plate on it I guessed it had been sitting for 10 years, and it was outside when I saw it. I put a battery in it, and started it. Ran perfectly. Did have to do some work, such as connecting up a cooling system and an alternator, before it was drivable. The heater too, later. I do like a nice little diesel! -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
