The first steps in breathing new life into our 1985 Mercedes 500SL have been successfully completed. The work done so far has been addressing a variety of mechanical, electrical, and general maintenance concerns.
Heater Blower Maintenance
One of the initial issues tackled by Pete was the squeaky heater blower. The blower was removed from the car for inspection and preventative lubrication. The cause of the squeak was traced to a loose fitment, which has now been addressed. While the blower was out, all loose debris was hoovered out of the heater box, and the seals were cleaned and reseated to ensure a proper fit. After reinstallation, the system is functioning perfectly without any noise.
Exhaust Repairs
The old exhaust rubber mount was replaced with a new one, ensuring the tailpipes are now securely and neatly positioned within the rear recess of the car. A rattling noise reported by the owner was diagnosed by Pete as a loose heat shield on the link pipe between the exhausts (a common area for vibration in V8 models). This was tightened, and a quick test drive confirmed that the rattle had been completely resolved.
Cooling System Refresh
The car’s cooling system received a thorough refresh. The dirty coolant was fully drained and replaced with a fresh 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. The system was run up to temperature, bled of air, and tested to ensure the heater delivers warm air as expected – everything is now functioning perfectly.
Electrical Work Begins
Attention then turned to some of the electrical issues. The battery terminals, which were in poor condition, were removed and thoroughly cleaned, along with the posts on the battery itself. However, it was noted that the positive battery post is loose within its casing, meaning the battery will need replacing.
The heated seat switches were seized and inoperative. After disassembly, cleaning, and de-rusting the spring-loaded mechanisms, they are now working intermittently but will likely require further repair or replacement. These intermittent issues might also be linked to the battery post problem, which will need addressing before moving forward.
Brake Service and Hub Maintenance
The brakes were fully stripped, inspected, and cleaned. The wheel hubs were also cleaned, and anti-seize grease was applied to their faces, ensuring the wheels no longer stick to the hubs during removal. After reassembly, all components were torqued to Mercedes specifications.
