My new C55 got a list ..

[Lukas1985]

Hello fellas.
My new 2nd hand c55 came back from my friendly mechanic and came back with a bit of list to do. Can you please advise how extensive works are to do these by my own on the drive way

- pollen sensor wiring
- re-seal both breather boxes
- alarm siren faulty
- lube + adjust hand brake + ratchet
- faults with lin bus on heating system. Potentially pollen sensor wiring may fix issue, but 2 other modules may need replacing. - I think this is the biggest job. Reason is blower motor constantly running at high speed, no a/c or any other response from the system.
- underside rusty and brake lines rusty

I can do fair amount of mechanics, changing spark plugs, gearbox oil with filters, shocks and brakes etc., replaced once A/C motor. Never done any electric stuff Tho apart from radio replacement

Obviously I won't mention general maintenance that car need as replacing tyres, spark plugs, valve cover gaskets etc. I will do them probably myself.

Any diagrams much appreciated with info related to above bits that need doing

 

[Lukas1985]

Forgot to mention. Got a quoted prices already. Wondering what can be done myself to keep my restoration within budget and have some spare founds for detailing bits

 

[AMGeed]

Alarm siren is an easy DIY. Behind osf ? wheel arch liner against the bulkhead.
Just unplug and plug in the new one after unbolting. No coding.
Breather boxes can be a DIY. Just make sure the old gasket is completely removed and you get the correct gasket sealant to replace them.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Many just unplug the siren and leave it, lets face it pretty much no one responds to car alarms any more.

If the breather seals on the rocker covers need doing the rocker cover gaskets are next (unless they have been done) may as well do them at the same time . Be careful , the bolts on the breathe covers snap easily if they have not been done before.

Not sure what is meant by 'lubricating the handbrake ratchet means' , the ratchet sound you hear is a small plastic part on the foot pedal , none of which ever need lubrication. Maybe he means the adjusters in the rear brake drums and the cable splitter beneath the rear seat. If the parking brake foot pedal is slow to return the problem is usually below the rear seat.

But you know most of this re: answers from myself and others in earlier thread on this car.

 

[Lukas1985]

Many just unplug the siren and leave it, lets face it pretty much no one responds to car alarms any more.

If the breather seals on the rocker covers need doing the rocker cover gaskets are next (unless they have been done) may as well do them at the same time . Be careful , the bolts on the breathe covers snap easily if they have not been done before.

Not sure what is meant by 'lubricating the handbrake ratchet means' , the ratchet sound you hear is a small plastic part on the foot pedal , none of which ever need lubrication. Maybe he means the adjusters in the rear brake drums and the cable splitter beneath the rear seat. If the parking brake foot pedal is slow to return the problem is usually below the rear seat.

But you know most of this re: answers from myself and others in earlier thread on this car.

Thanks.
I managed to sort out air con by unplugging pollen sensor. One of the cables is broken and now all works, will need to repair current or try replace loom. Not sure what that will cause?

Some rust appears underneath so will treat it with wire brush and hammerite.

Actually if looking at what you write about siren, I just don't need to do anything as there is no fault code or anything with it. Just don't work. May leave it as it is.

With a handbrake not sure what exactly are involved. When foot handbrake applied all works, when releasing with plastic handle, just not releasing all the way to the end and need to help push up with foot.

Overall looks like good catch for the price.
Regular maintenance left to do: valve cover gaskets, gearbox oil with filter and than just cosmetics

 

[Dammit]

The rear sub-frames rot, take a good look at it - they're NLA from Mercedes so you'll need to get it repaired if it's on it's way out.

 

[Lukas1985]

I have been told its surface rust. I will have to find out time to lift a car and inspect myself.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Don't worry too much about the rust on a W203 subframe, ugly rather than structural, it's the 204's that have the real problem. But taking it off and refurbishing it would be sensible in the long run, as said , they can no longer be bought new. Body rust is a different story though....

The siren can cause problems if not unplugged , it rots internally and the batteries feedback and can cause some weird $hit . I did one on a 2006 w203 that would randomly start the hazard lights going and/or unlock the car in the middle of the night.

Or put it this way , the car did that stuff until we unplugged the siren (that incidentally didn't work) , once unplugged the weird faults went away.

Re read my answers to you on your other thread regarding the handbrake 'splitter cassette' (thats what I call it) under the rear seat . It is unlikely the footbrake pedal return problem is on the (nonadjustable) clock spring on the foot pedal itself. That part lives in a nice environment and does not need lubrication.

Remove it from the side of the transmission tunnel at your peril....it's a swine to get back . Ask me how I know

 

[Lukas1985]

Thanks for detailed info

I managed to find some time to investigate underneath of the car. A bit of surface rust mainly on rear subframe, but when attacked with wire brush it is healthy frame underneath thanks god
I will leave siren as it is. Car is on driveway and neighborhood is fairly safe so don't worry about thefts
Next work spark plugs when they arrive