MercedesBenzAMG

I'm hoping some of you guys can help me out. I just have a few questions regarding 190's.

-Are there any specific things I should look for if I were to go check out a 190, which was up for sale?
-Are there any specific problems with an 85 190 2.3L?
-What else should I be looking for?
-Any good links out there?

Any help, comments and concerns would be appreciated.

Thank you.

E-Klasse

As with most Mercedes, check to see that the rear windows operate. Mercedes uses plastic parts in the rear regulators that fall apart even if they are not used. The cables bind up that are used to lift the window. Make sure it starts an idols smoothly. If it is rough or hard to start then the OVP relay could be malfuntioning and this keeps the rich start valve will not work. Find out if the valve seals in the engine have been replaced or it will use oil. Make sure the AC blows cold if that is important to you for the summer months. The AC system was not that good on the 190E. See if the inner door panels have not ballooned out above the armrests. The one piece covering on the door panels tend to shrink and bubble out from the armrest to just below the window. There were some problems with the emergency or park brake handles. The release button doesn't last long. If the battery has been disonnected, the Becker radio will be locked out. You will have to go to the dealer to get it turned back on. Oh, the lift shock used to hold the hood open may be week if it has not been replaced in a while so the hood might fall down and hit you on the head.

linuxfoo

i think the rough start and the engine valve seat guides are porbably the most important things to look after. on 97+ they supposedly fixed the valve seat guide problem. to get thses replaced, it might hit you up a bit. a sure tell sign is engine eating lots of oil between oil changes.

also see if the tranny is ok, start the engine and put it to drive and reverse and see if the tranny thunks, if it does and they have replaced the flex disc, you might have a diff and even after you replace the felx disc yourself, if the diff is worn out, you will never get rid of the thunking noise unless you swap out the diff. thats probably all i can think of, rest of the stuff are probably cheaply replacable if broken.

E-Klasse

Replacing the flex discs is a good idea anyway if they have not been done recently...

suntubi

Good advice for buying a 190 and also looking for that next thing to update on a 190 you aleardy own.


A quick question for you guys -- how tough is a flex disk change out? is this driveway work or should this be tackled in a shop?

What's involved?

linuxfoo

changing the flex disc does require some time, however it is do-able. just make sure you have yoru car jacked up and and supported on a good jack stand before you start taking apart your car.

also check over the shop manual carefully, i beleieve the flex disc goes in one way otherwise, it will wear out prematurely or might cause you more problems. with that said, go under the car and undo the 6 bolts holding the disc to the drive shaft. :P