Doing my own service

[reflexboy]

Last year my MB indy charged me £300 for an oil change and new spark plugs. I have always serviced my cars myself except the MB. This year I want to do it myself. I plan to change the oil, air and pollen filters. The plugs were done last year and the brake fluid and fuel filter changed recently. Beside oil, oil filter, air filter and pollen filter, is there anything else I should buy from the stealers? Do I need an O ring for the sump plug? If so is it copper or rubber? Also,how many pollen filters does my car have? It's a 96, prefacelift C280 Auto with A/C? Thanks in advance to all you helpful, friendly and knowledgeable peeps.:bannana:

 

[Ian B Walker]

You should have supplied a copper washer with your oil filter. This is for your sump plug. Failing that heat up the old one till its cherry red then quench it in water. This anneals the copper making it malleable again and fit for re use. Pollen filters I believe there is only the one, I may be wrong though.

 

[reflexboy]

Thank you Ian. So I just need the filters, oil and copper washer. Cool.

 

[grober]

The other thing folks forget is to change the antifreeze/coolant mix. Not required at this time of year BUT but the anti-corrosion agents tend to get used up with time which can potentially effect the water pump, cylinder head gasket,radiator, heater valves etc. Use the pukka MB antifreeze. You may also wish to change the autogearbox fluid and filter at some point and check the rear diff oil level.

 

[reflexboy]

Service all done chaps. Did the oil&filter, air filter and pollen/dust filter. Last year my Indy charged just shy of £300 for the oil, filter and plugs, although admittedly he does lubricate many other things even down to the locks and door hinges. That said, I think £6 for an oil filter, £22 for the pollen filter, £12 for the air filter, 2x4litre bottles of Magnatec @£24.95 a pop and a massive 42p for the sump plug washer, I think I have saved a packet. Next weekend's task is to change the coolant and check the diff level.

 

[jaymanek]

satisfying isnt it! i only ever do servicing myself, theres nothing worse than travelling down the M1 pushing the legal speed limit wondering if a mechanic tightened up things properly...

 

[reflexboy]

Absolutely....I have always done my own servicing in the past, it's just my mate got it into my head that the resale value of my car will be a lot less if I don't have fsh, but then I thought-Hey, it's an eleven year old car worth about tuppance, but a lot more to me.

 

[jaymanek]

just keep the receipts for the parts...

 

[PaulE230]

I normally do my own oil but this time I had national tyres change my oil they used Duckhams synthetic and the filter was included all for £26 on my E230.

I also did my pollen filters myself but I am a bit wary of doing the cooling system . It was done last November when do you think it will need changing ?

 

[jaymanek]

most people say every 2 years...

 

[merc180k]

Are you guys not worried that the lack of fsh will affect the corrosion warranty? Or does it not affect that.

 

[jaymanek]

A W202 will not be covered by the 30 year... and realistically, the chances of getting any rust claim honoured if the car is more than 5/6 yrs old are very very slim...