Water-damaged Mercedes CLK550 Brought Back to Life
Unfortunately, those plans came to a screeching halt upon the car’s arrival.
“Well, at long last, my 2009 CLK550 project car has arrived in the ports, a couple of hours from here, and will shortly be brought to me here in the sticks. One thing is for sure, and that is that for as long as I walk this green earth, I will NEVER, EVER make the mistake of attempting to ship a car by sea ANYWHERE. The CLK550 did have a perfectly straight body on departure from Galveston. But on arrival here in Africa, it looks like the car has been dropped off a moderately high cliff, unto a rock face.
The windscreen is shattered, the hood looks like a rhinoceros sat on it, and the roof is badly deformed. Meaning that a front window replacement is NOT likely to go well at all. I am still debating whether or not to simply demand a full refund from the shipper. Cut my losses and recoup the cost of the car and the shipping cost. But I will ponder this question a bit longer before arriving at a decision. Anyways, I have some deep reflection and pondering ahead of me as I ruminate over what course of action to take next here.”
As horrific as this result was, there was a little good news at least. The engine didn’t appear to have any water mixed in with the oil at all. Not much of a consolation prize, but hey, good news is good news. And, amazingly enough, it ran right off the bat!
“This CLK550, after just one brief turn of the key, started right up. I proceeded to dance about like a right looney. Enormously relieved that the nightmare scenario of needing a replacement M273 engine due to major water damage would not materialize. The engine ran a tad rough at first, but with the spark plugs so obviously well past their replacement date, a rough idle was to be expected. After a few minutes, the new oil circulated in the idling engine. And the ticking sound that was quite audible at first gave way to a subdued purr as the motor’s innards luxuriated in the flow of new engine oil.”
Incredibly enough, most everything was working, too. With bodywork completed, the car was painted in a makeshift paint booth. And with the help of the fine folks at MB World, he’s slowly getting the car working like new again. Be sure and check out the entire, amazing story of this CLK550 resurrection here!
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