will my W124 make it?
- Thread starter SilverSaloon
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SilverSaloon
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It will love it! You will probably have a bigger leak on the crankshaft seal when you come back though.
it will be the return journey that will be harder - it is all up hill
i'd really like to sort the seal before i go. Question is do i take it to an indi or do it myself. seems to be a lot of hassle in getting the radiator out for access and there is also an additional radiator in front which i guess is the air con.
Can't help re. the 124 ... but we always drive overnight when going to/from the in-laws in the South of Germany. The kids sleep right through, and there's much less traffic. We only make one stop (fuel and toilet) apart from the Eurotunnel.
Mrs BTB is always available to share the driving, but so far I've always done it all. Nibbles & drinks help the concentration, I always have a few cans of Red Bull in the cool bag just in case.
Mrs BTB is always available to share the driving, but so far I've always done it all. Nibbles & drinks help the concentration, I always have a few cans of Red Bull in the cool bag just in case.
grober
MB Master
What oil are you using? anything "thinner" than a 10w40 will find a worn seal. I would caution against seal renewal since the crank pulley can?? be tricky to remove. In addition the shaft can be worn requiring a subtle repositioning of the new seal/ lip to avoid further leakage.
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SilverSaloon
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Hi Grober. i've stalled fixing this for around 6 months now because of everyone i've spoken to have said it needs tightening up tight (i have a torque wrench) and you need to lock it to be able to undo and tighten it. And then there is the hassle of removing the radiator and aircon out the way - something i've not touched before, so would have to allow a whole weekend for the job as its bound to take me 3 times longer than it should
its 10w40 halfords that is in there at the moment. i did think about going to 10w50 or something.... any thoughts on that? good or bad? i also considered trying some of that engine leak addative you can get. its due an oil change soon so i could try a thicker oil but i suspect it may still leak?
grober
MB Master
Some folks get crank pulleys off easily and others struggle. If its leaking with a 10w40 than I don't think "thickening up" the oil will help besides which thickening up the oil may just cause other problems.
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SilverSaloon
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what about those "stop leak" addatives? i know the opinions on these vary, but it cant hurt to try just once?
Don't do it! You are better off with a bit of oil mess outside the engine than fixing the leak and bunging up an internal oil way or kissing the pump goodbye.
You are right about the crank nut; it is tight tight - much tighter than your torque wrench I bet - if the car were mine I would get someone who knows what they are doing to do it - that is from personal experience with this nut. A few years ago a friend had a 180k mile e320 coupe and a local garage replaced the seal - but did not do the nut up tightly enough afterwards - this allowed the pulley to chatter around on the end of the crank and it bu**ered the end of the crank - damaged the woodruff key slot where the pulley goes; goodbye engine.
I dont think you need to worry about doing it before you go - a good long run like that will make it leak a bit more - but as long as it is not gushing out what the heck - good rustproofing.
btw have you had a look at the gearbox coolant pipes going to the rad - check to make sure they are not rusty and about to give way. they will be working overtime with a big van on the back.
btw have you had a look at the gearbox coolant pipes going to the rad - check to make sure they are not rusty and about to give way. they will be working overtime with a big van on the back.
Derek , didn't you buy that car quite recently ? IIRC , from a certain delaer who sells premium cars at premium prices ? Was there any warranty with the car ?
If there's any chance of getting the dealer to do/pay for this repair , it might be worth exploring this possibility before you put your hand in your own pocket ?
If there's any chance of getting the dealer to do/pay for this repair , it might be worth exploring this possibility before you put your hand in your own pocket ?
Ade B
MB Enthusiast
Under no circumstances should you attempt this trip in such a relic. A gentle jaunt from London to Brighton maybe with a backup team in a van, but crossing Borders! What are you thinking. Get yourself a new 211 (good pcp deals to be had I hear) and pension the 124 off for the odd Sunday lunchtime. 
As an aside, the problem with red bull I find is after 2 cans, I get home then can't sleep due to the caffeine. Wipes out half the next day.
Ade
As an aside, the problem with red bull I find is after 2 cans, I get home then can't sleep due to the caffeine. Wipes out half the next day.
Ade
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SilverSaloon
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i've had it for over a year now so no comeback etc. I wouldnt really expect the dealer to pay as its an old car so bound to have stuff go wrong.... I've been quoted just over £150 for the job by a Merc specialist which isnt too bad. i may put it in for them to do it once the R107 is back on the road.
Under no circumstances should you attempt this trip in such a relic. A gentle jaunt from London to Brighton maybe with a backup team in a van, but crossing Borders! What are you thinking. Get yourself a new 211 (good pcp deals to be had I hear) and pension the 124 off for the odd Sunday lunchtime.
As an aside, the problem with red bull I find is after 2 cans, I get home then can't sleep due to the caffeine. Wipes out half the next day.
Ade
very funny; I would be very happy to jump in my w124 and drive a very long way - no hesitation at all.
popuptoaster
Active Member
Done a 1000 miles to northern italy in 12 hours with a mate a couple of times in an old pickup truck, we find that if we do 2 hours driving each its enough to give the other guy time for a cat nap, but not enough time to get board or distracted so the tirdeness gets to you, having said that Germany is the most tedious country i have ever driven across.
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SilverSaloon
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Under no circumstances should you attempt this trip in such a relic. A gentle jaunt from London to Brighton maybe with a backup team in a van, but crossing Borders! What are you thinking. Get yourself a new 211 (good pcp deals to be had I hear) and pension the 124 off for the odd Sunday lunchtime.
As an aside, the problem with red bull I find is after 2 cans, I get home then can't sleep due to the caffeine. Wipes out half the next day.
Ade
ah ok. anyone want to buy a E300D? best offers around 500 quid then.
p.s. thats a joke - dont PM me!
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Have faith and stop worrying.
If cars will do short jouneys, they will love long journeys.
We recently set off for Cornwall in Mrs J's 1984 380SE.
(It's a long way from Barnsley !!)
All the way there and all the way back ... Never missed a beat.
That's what cars like these are for.
Enjoy yourself
Johnsco
If cars will do short jouneys, they will love long journeys.
We recently set off for Cornwall in Mrs J's 1984 380SE.
(It's a long way from Barnsley !!)
All the way there and all the way back ... Never missed a beat.
That's what cars like these are for.
Enjoy yourself
Johnsco
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SilverSaloon
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thanks everyone for their advice.
The only reason i was unsure was because it was towing the heavy caravan; i wouldnt worry about driving the W124 solo for that many miles non stop.
The only reason i was unsure was because it was towing the heavy caravan; i wouldnt worry about driving the W124 solo for that many miles non stop.
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SilverSaloon
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