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| H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796  | 5 years after: Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class + My Black Box I had been thinking of doing a post like this for quite sometime. Many have wondered: "What is it like owning a "vintage" G-Wagen"? I expect even more will wonder about this with the prospect of W463s becoming more easily importable as "antiques" in the coming years. Here is what 5+ years have been like with a 500GE German Import that is many years out of warranty but very fresh and enjoyable to drive at nearly a quarter of a century old and still looks / feels / smells new. Life with a 500GE: "Larger" Repairs performed / parts changed - Ignition coil - EZL / IZL Ignition Unit - Condenser Cooling Fans (electric, auxiliary) - Fan clutch / Visco Clutch - Timing chain and upper chain guides for M117 V8 - Radiator - Condenser (either two or three condensers) make sure to change the rubber buffers out when you install a new condenser !!! - Fuel pump - Fuel Accumulator and Check Valve - Ceiling cabin light - Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses (no longer available, supplied by AMG) - Alternator - Transmission oil cooler lines (no longer available, had to be made) - Valve cover gaskets - Cam shaft plastic oilers - Transmission shift lever shift bushing - Rear wheel cylinders for drum brakes - Rear brake drums - Spring kit for rear drum brakes - Homokinetic drive shaft CV joints replaced - Tie Rod Ends / drag link with ball joint ends front and rear - K1 spring kit for transmission + drain pan magnet added - Cool Harness added to A/C system courtesy of K6JRF https://www.k6jrf.com/MB_S500.html - Koni Shock Absorbers front and rear (replaced factory Bilstein shock absorbers) - Speaker LED Headlights from Germany - Nakamichi Head Unit, Single DIN, to play CDs ***This does not include basic maintenance like oil and fluid changes, batteries, Vbelts, brake pads, spark plugs, distributor cap, ignition wires, etc*** ***This does not include small parts or small repairs*** After 5 years of ownership, I have a 4 inch thick binder full of receipts for parts from MB dealer. Probably in the area of 50-75 receipts from MB dealer alone for parts. And another 25 or so for independent work (window tinting, tires, alignment, tire rotation, etc) Things that need to be done - Fuel Injectors - Valve Guide Seals - Exhaust Manifold Gaskets (I can see exhaust gas leaking during start up on cold mornings or when raining with hood open) - Exhaust System Flange Gaskets (I think I have a small leak) - Wheel bearings / kingpin bearings The reasons I have needed to be towed in the past 5 years (Cause/Effect Analysis) Note- You can purchase MBUSA road side assistance for a Grey Market vehicle. It is about $300 USD per year. However, it is a poor value. I recommend just adding the vehicle on to a AAA plan. However, should you need a tow, you must adamantly demand that the AAA subcontractor show up with a FLAT BED truck. If it is a wheel lift tow truck, you can easily damage your $7,500 transfer case. FLAT BED YOUR G-CLASS ONLY - Bad ignition coil resulted in stalling and failure to start Cause: Prior to my ownership, proper non-resistor spark plugs were not installed. The M117 motor requires No Resistor spark plugs. Replaced faulty ignition coil, replaced spark plugs. Note: Using resistor plugs will put dramatic wear on your ignition system- the ignition coil, distributor cap, wires, and most importantly (read Expensive) your EZL / IZL will NOT be happy. Use proper spark plugs. - Bad EZL Unit Cause: Heat or internal electrical failure. The EZL / IZL is mounted inside the engine compartment, on the inside fender, below the driver's windscreen. This subjects the EZL / IZL to engine bay heat. Every summer, I recommend switching out the thermopaste that coats the back side of the EZL / IZL unit. I have written a post about this that is on here. Change out the thermal paste! The EZL / IZL is typically $1,000 to $3,000 USD. Next, take care of your ignition system. Make sure your change your ignition coil when you change your EZL / IZL. If the old coil still works, save it for a spare for troubleshooting swaps. Make sure you are running proper non-resistor plugs. Make sure distributor cap, rotor, and ignition wires are in good condition. They do wear out and most have been neglected with time and age. - Alternator V-Belt failure that lead to all V-Belts failing Cause: Totally my fault. During PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) it was noted that the V-Belts had small cracks indicating age and a need to have them replaced. Went to MB dealer and ordered all new V-Belts. MB dealer forgot about alternator V-Belt. Went to mechanic and we changed all other V-Belts out aside from alternator V-Belt (he pointed this out to me and I neglected to get it changed before it failed on the highway a year later and took all of the other belts out with it). Note: AC Idler Pulley was also loose and may have contributed to V-Belt mis-alignment. This was replaced also. - Coolant leak which triggered coolant warning light on instrument cluster (Pay attention to your oil pressure, water temperature, and warning lights while driving, folks) Cause: Lower radiator hose had a leak caused by transmission fluid leak from transmission oil cooler line which runs above the lower radiator hose. Solution was to replace lower radiator hose with new hose made by AMG which now has a polymer reinforcement over the branched heater core line which was the location where the failure occurred. Edited by H1LM002G55 12/13/2017 1:03 AM | ||
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| H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796 | Re: 5 years after.....Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class Resources for finding a good mechanic: If you are under factory warranty, make friends with a local, well-reviewed MB dealer. Talk to your G-tech. Become friends with them. They will really appreciate that and are NOT used to MB owners who are technical themselves and it goes a long way from my experience. If you own a newer G and have the option to buy extended warranty coverage underwritten by MB, USA...I highly recommend you do it. NOTE: It must be FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, with MB, USA as the underwriter. Not an independent company. If you are outside of warranty, you should find independent mechanics that specialize in either MB or various automotive systems. Sort of like a medical doctor. There are some shops that only do AC. There are some shops that only do motor work. There are some shops that only do transmission work. These specialists often have better knowledge than general mechanics and it makes sense to use them if they have good reputations and knowledge of the particular system (ie a 722.3 transmission for instance or 1980s MB cooling systems). Need to do general fluid changes and such? No need for a top dollar shop for something so basic. Pick an ASE or Bosch shop with a good rating, or do it yourself (more on this in a bit). How do I find a good MB mechanic? Check on PeachParts. This is one of the largest MB technical forums in the U.S. and the members have a section to discuss excellent shops that specialize in MB: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/good-mb-shops/ What about a regular mechanic, to tend to simple things like fluid changes? ASE mechanic shop locator here: http://www.ase.com/Landing-Pages/Car-Owners/Find-a-Repair-Shop/Shop... Bosch Car Service Center locator here: https://www.service-center-locator.com/bosch-car-service/bosch-car-s... Need transmission work? Find an ATRA professional: http://www.atra.com/shopfinder Need mobile air conditioning / heating help? Find a MACS certified shop: https://www.macsw.org/web/MACS/Resources/Resources_Main.aspx?Website... Edited by H1LM002G55 5/9/2017 11:16 AM | ||
| #235979 - in reply to #235978 |
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| DUTCH Administrator Doppelgänger Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: US, GA, Atlanta Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter Posts: 9963  | Re: 5 years after.....Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class Good stuff. Thanks! | ||
| #235982 - in reply to #235979 |
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| H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796 | Re: 5 years after.....Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class My 500GE Maintenance Regiment Motor Oil: Changed every 3500-4500 Miles or bi/annually regardless of mileage Liquimoly 10W60 Fully Synthetic Synthoil Race tech GT1 Using always a FACTORY MB Oil Filter Transmission Oil for 722.3: Changed Annually or every 12K-15K miles B&M Fully Synthetic Trick Shift Transfer Case Oil: Amsoil MTG 75W90 Changed Annually or every 12K-15K miles Front Differential: Amsoil SVG 75W90 GL5 Changed Annually or every 12K-15K miles Rear Differential: Amsoil SVG 75W90 GL5 Changed Annually or every 12K-15K miles Drive Shaft Grease Points: Castrol Oilstamoly 2 Front Swivel Ball Housings: Fuchs Renolit from Eurotruck Importers Power Steering Fluid: Factory MB Power Steering Fluid Brake Fluid: Factory MB Brake Fluid Air Filter: K&N E-2872 Edited by H1LM002G55 5/10/2017 8:06 PM | ||
| #235993 - in reply to #235978 |
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| H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796 | Re: 5 years after: Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class + My Black Box Setting up a black box for maintenance G-AMG has some of the most meticulous technical posts ever written regarding G-Class maintenance on our G-Class technical / DIY forum. The posts are amazing. For the rest of the group, who may hire mechanics to do work on the G, this will likely help you and your mechanic out. 1) Black plastic sterilite bin with lid 2) Amsoil Hand Pump for transfer case fluid 3) Amsoil Hand Pump for front and rear differential fluid 4) Various funnels for motor oil and transmission oil 5) Grease Gun for slip joints on prop shaft / U Joints loaded with proper Grease 6) Grease Gun for swivel ball housings on front axle loaded with proper Grease 7) Empty Mercedes coolant container to mix MB coolant with distilled water | ||
| #236014 - in reply to #235993 |
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| H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796 | Re: 5 years after: Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class + My Black Box I am adding to this list. Today, if I was buying a "vintage" G from the early 1990s, the first thing I would change after doing fluids is the OVP Relay and the FPR Fuel Pump Relay. I had a long and interesting conversation with one of the oldest techs at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. He worked at a parts department for 15 years during the golden years of Mercedes. "That OVP relay causes more problems than most folks realize. They go bad internally- WITHOUT BLOWING THE FUSE". If it is old, REPLACE IT. So I took his advice. I have A/C that now blows constantly cold (no longer intermittently cold, in cycles) and the brake system appears to apply pressure evenly (before, I thought there was a pressure bias to the passenger side)...So I am wondering how the OVP relay may effect the ABS module. Bottom line: After fluids: -Install a NEW OVP Relay -Install a NEW FPR Fuel Pump Relay (Or get one rebuilt) Edited by H1LM002G55 11/22/2017 2:34 PM | ||
| #237706 - in reply to #235978 |
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| DUTCH Administrator Doppelgänger Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: US, GA, Atlanta Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter Posts: 9963 | Re: 5 years after: Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class + My Black Box H1LM002G55 - 11/21/2017 10:43 PM I am adding to this list. Today, if I was buying a "vintage" G from the early 1990s, the first thing I would change after doing fluids is the OVP Replay and the FPR Fuel Pump Relay. "OVP" ?? | ||
| #237722 - in reply to #237706 |
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| Luky Elite Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Bratislava, Slovakia, EU Vehicle(s): 300GE LWB auto, E320CDI 4M, VW Polo Classic 1.6 Posts: 1062 | Re: 5 years after: Life with a ~ 25 Year Old G-Class + My Black Box Overvoltage protestion (OVP) or Ueberspannungsrelais (USR) a common problem on many petrol Benzes from early `90s. BTW. a very nice and helpful thread, I bought a 6-cylinder 463.228 (300GE) in August 2012 and have a very similar experience. | ||
| #237723 - in reply to #235978 |
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