Ever left stranded?

[Cees Klumper]

Yesterday I was on my way back from work in the Pagoda, and it occurred to me that the car has really never left me stranded. Well, after some initial problems that the PO passed along to me with the car, that is. But since these were ironed out, I just never think twice about setting off to where-ever, most of the time even without any tools. I have driven the car about 25,000 miles.

How is your experience and, if you did in fact end up on the side of the road - what was the problem?

1969 280 SL automatic

[n/a]

Cees, I was just wondering how much did you have to put into the car to "iron out" the problems the PO "passed along" to you?  What did you have to fix/replace?

New Pagoda owner soon I hope.

Michael Penner

[n/a]

Well, until recently, I could say the same thing. Lately, every once in a while, my car won't start. I turn the key, the fuel pump runs, all the accesories work, but when I try to crank the engine, not a click or a sound. Nothing. I have learned how to fix it though. I slam the hood shut, and it starts right up. So far anyway. I like cars with "character". Don't you?

Rudy
Los Angeles
1971 280 SL

[Cees Klumper]

Michael - the problem was primarily that it had an incorrect ignition fitted. Also, the fuel pump leaked and the gas cap was incorrect (with, rather than without, ventilation). The ignition problem accounted for the stalling that I suffered initially.
The main difficulty was that it took 3 (supposedly specialized in classic SL) garages to finally discover the cause ... It cost me around $1,500 before it was ironed out.
In those early days of my ownership (1999), I had not yet discovered the vast knowledge available through the internet. Now I can fix these problems myself, thanks to all of you ...

[Cees Klumper]

Rudy - you most likely have an issue with your starter. Last year, I had the same problem, and replacing the solenoid on top of the starter fixed it. But it can also be the starter itself, needing a rebuild (usually replacing the brushes). If you don't know the starter's history, having it rebuilt will see you through the coming 10 or 15 years.

It could also be related to the switch that is located on the firewall, connected to the transmission (that is, if you have an automatic - this is the switch that prevents starting unless the car is in Park or in Neutral).

[hands_aus]

It was a beautiful day. I was out driving along thinking how well the car (early 250SL)was going. When I arrived at my destination. I went inside and because I can't stop looking at my car, I looked out the window to see a puddle of green fluid forming under the front of the engine.
Bonnet up, I had a look to find the water spouting out of the water pump overflow hole. Replaced the water pump and back on track.
Similarly, my car had been standing with very little use for about 2 years (previous owner). After buying it I took it for a short drive and within about 1.5Km there was a huge plume of blue and hot smelling smoke coming out of the rear right hand brake caliper.
The rebuild of calipers, replacement of brake lines, fluid etc sorted it out.

Bob(Brisbane,Australia)

[n/a]

My one and only experience with a breakdown was shortly after buying my Pagoda. I had joined the local Mercedes-Benz Club and after a very pleasant club picnic by the water my wife and I set off for home. On the way we detoured by the beach to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view. As we approached the parking area the car just died. It had a complete electrical failure. It turned out to be a power wire which had broken off the alternator. Unfortunately, the aftermarket air conditioning compressor precluded any access from above and it simply wasn't possible to fix it from below on the road side. Since then the car has been absolutely reliable and like Cees I drive it anywhere without hesitation.

What amazed me was the number of people who came up offering to help. Three different sets of people offered to drive us home and one lady even insisted we join her family and have coffee while we waited for the road service. I think that many people have a soft spot for these cars.

Mark

1965 230 SL

[n/a]

Thanks Cees. I am sure it's the starter/solenoid. I have a 4 speed so it's not the nuetral safety switch. I'm going to start a daily-driver type restoration of the car in the next few weeks and take care of it then. Thanks for the confirmation.

Rudy
Los Angeles
1971 280 SL

[Bob G]

When I first got my 280SL, I took it for short drives only. On day on a cruise my area the engine quit. I tried to key again and nothing after 20 minutes it started as if no problem exsisted. It wasn't until I was in traffic in front of Cosco that it quick again and two people where very help full to push the sl over to the curb. I called the auto club to flat bed the Sl bad to my home. I found out later when checking the ignition system that the coil was bad and was over heating. $30.00 later and everything is right again. I wish all the fixes on this car were so cheap.
Bob Geco
1968 280SL

[bayleif]

Cees, like you my latest Pagoda, a 1969 280, came with incorrect ignition parts. It died in traffic just before I got on the Severn River bridge in Annapolis. Had it died on the bridge, I would not be writing this having lost interest after selling the thing. However, it died just before the bridge; I waited a while and it started up again and got me home. I didn't know it at the time, but the incorrect coil was probably over heating which is why letting it sit got me going again. Like you, I took it to more then one mechanic who could not solve the problem. With the help of this list I finally got it figured out. Now it has been nothing but fun.
Rudy, my first Pagoda which was a 230 I think 64 also had an intermittent starter problem. I lived with it until it stranded my wife one day. Had it towed to a Mercedes dealer which in those days (1974) all knew how to fix a car without a computer. Turned out that the starter was simply loose. Tighten the bolts and it was fine.
My 230 also left me stranded the first week I had it (I was the third owner) when the driver's side front wheel bearing seized on the New Jersey Turnpike and blew the hub cap across three lanes of traffic. Yes, I did retrieve the hub cap.


Chuck Bartlett
1969 Signal Red 4 Speed

[n/a]

I'llcheck that out Chuck. Thanks.

Rudy
Los Angeles
1971 280 SL

[Shvegel]

I just traveled 2,000 miles on vacation and had zero failures. I did however have to adjust timing due to some horrid gasoline in central Michigan.

[Gerhard]

Up to now the car did not fail. I own the car since June 18th so it's only a short time. During the vacation (2500km) I heard some unwanted sounds which I am working on. First thought the front axle grease points were dry and luckily found a grease gun in France on a Brocante (Fleemarket). Unfortunately the noise did not go away.
Since the purchase of the 230SL I drove approx. 5000km and did not strand.



Gerhard
1965 230SL

[Cees Klumper]

Gerhard - I have had some squeeky noises coming from the front, and it turned out to be the exhaust downpipes that attach to the exhaust manifold, after tightening them. If these pipes are not 100% tight, then the movement of the engine vis-a-vis the exhaust will cause this noise. Until the downpipes become loose again, and the noise goes away (but then you have a slight exhaust gas leak). Your problem could be something completely different of course.

[J. Huber]

Hey there. Well, having driven my car for over 20 years, the short answer is "a couple times!" But here's a story about one of em...

About ten years ago, I was "courting" this lovely young lady and of course I had to take her for a drive in my 230SL. No problems, it was great. Maybe 6 mos later, same girl -- same car, we took another drive down the coast from Santa Barbara. Well, ... pulled up to a stop light and she started sputtering and died (the car!)... and then no restart. Now if it was our first date, I think I'd have been in trouble. But, we just relaxed by the side of the road until the flatbed showed up. Can't remember exactly what the mechanic found...

Anyway, 10 years later, same girl -- same car ... oh and three little daughters to take turns riding with Daddy!

James
63 230SL

[LFrank]

A faulty bushing would not allow automatic to shift into "Park" (or neutral for that matter) leaving me at a 24-hour hardware store (1 am Home Depot) with a cartload of big stuff I had to return, wait for long tow to preferred mechanic to leave note...made driver pull to shoulder of infamous Beltway when freak am thunderstorm appeared (top had been down)...walked home from mechanic...wife had freaked during storm, woken up & I wasn't there...no cell...


...but the fix was inepensive.

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl
DB334/Hellblau

[Cees Klumper]

Ouch! Just last week another fellow Pagoda owner told the same story: the automatic gear lever assembly broke, while the car was in an underground parking garage - the low-ceiling type, where a tow truck cannot go. Was then fixed using one of those plastic ties by a triple A mechanic, in five minutes. The car still drives with that tie today.

[n/a]

My memory of labor day weekend.....
Drove from New York to Sag Harbor on friday aug29 with my girlfriend(that's 120 miles...)..go to the beach saturday, sunday, drive to montauk (another few miles, etc)....
We wake up on monday, weather not so good, we decide to hit the road back to NEw York as soon aS  we are ready (11:30am). still no problem whatsoever. we drive towards route 27, the car is full with bags, etc. at the intersection of 27, I accelerate after beeing stopped at the light, sudenly, feels like the fuel tank is unplugged, the car dies instantly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, stranded on the side of 27 in southampton....close to a dealer specialised in german cars (Aventura motors)and pagodas...give him a call...it takes him 4....maybe 5 long minutes to come   !!! with his mechanic, diagnosis of the car, ignition command unit just died...he organised the towing...
So I am left here, with the Pagoda on the side, all our bags, and my girlfriend (still smiling!!! :? ).
So I stared hitch hiking, took me 30 seconds before a Range Rover stops and gives us a lift to the city!!!!

After all, not that bad of an experience, could have been much, much worse...and yes, the ride in the Range Rover was very nice!!!
Thank God there are some nice people around!!!
But yes, they couls see me taking th bags from the PAgoda to their trunk...could we call that hte Pagoda effect?

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City