Ben Peterson

Hello! First post here, long time reader.
Im about to purchase my first project car. A 2005 c230. 153k miles. The interior and exterior are in super good condition.
The needs:
brakes
shocks
tires
oh one more thing, he says he melted a cylinder.
Upon inspection it seems like he actually threw a rod as I don’t think it is possible to actually melt anything besides plastic or rubber...

He is throwing in a second set of wheels and some audio extras...
hope to pick it up this weekend.

I was was going to wait to post photos, but I am too excited not to share!

Ben Peterson

Picked her up this morning,

KevinH2000

The car appears to be in good cosmetic condition. I am curious about your plan for addressing the engine issue.

Ben Peterson

Motor is coming out and rebuild to start. I’m planning on looking for the radiator issue and flushing the transmission too as long as we are in there.

Step one is remove the radiator which is my morning project today.

Ben Peterson

Stuck trying to get the radiator fan off. Can t seem to find the clips to remove the fan... it seems like it should be obvious all the videos make it seem simple and “right there”.
Can’t seem to find a photo to figure it out

KevinH2000

Did you see this DIY: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...ectric_Fan.htm

Ben Peterson

I did thank you!! I found the top 2 clips but one WILL NOT budge. Any one know if I can just leave it attached and pull the radiator and fan as one unit?

KevinH2000

I have not done this work, and I cannot say for sure. The next step in the instructions is:

Lift the cross member out and flip it over. Next you need to remove the hood release cable on the right side. It just slips out of its plastic retaining clip.

This implies that you need to remove the clips before you can go any further. The hood release cable will probably prevent you from taking out the fan and radiator as one unit.

BF_JC230

Does this help?

Ben Peterson

Update:
i ended up ,moving forward and disconnected everything else that I could to get the radiator out. Doing that freed up the fan enough to come out.
Now...I’m stuck again.
the radiator seems to be attached to something along the bottom, like I need to remove the bumper to see what’s going on. Which doesn’t make sense as none of the instructions show anything like that at all.

Ben Peterson

I think I can see where it’s stuck, I’m thinking here is a bracket on the lower driver side of the radiator, I cannot seem to get it unclipped...

luckily my mechanical 17 year old gets back tonight. Then high gear to the repair. (At least I hope)

Ben Peterson

Update: my kiddo came back home last night while I was at my side gig job (to pay for this project). Within 3 hours of him arriving home he has the engine ready to come out, we just need a bit to remove the drive shaft and pick up a hoist to pull the motor.

the radiator was definitely not like the instructions. The intercooler was bolted to a bracket that was holding the radiator in place...???
The bumper had to come off, but I guess it was “no big deal”.

azblk

Following.

KevinH2000

Glad to hear you are making progress. It sounds like your son is a great asset. Please continue the updates.

If you’re interested, here’s a thread with details of the work I did to repair and upgrade my C230: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...0-revival.html I did not attempt anything as ambitious as an engine rebuild, but I don’t have a helper with the skills of your son.

In my opinion the W203 C230 is under appreciated and I am glad to see someone working to save one.

By the way, I recommend that you check the NHTSA web site to see whether the previous owner took care of the Takata air bag recall for the driver’s side. https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?gclid=...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ben Peterson

Thanks! I will definitely check out your thread.

We we had to get the car on rear stands as well because the car is so low. Got the bit, bought a stand and hoist.
Now we have to get a load leveler to pull out the motor.
It was surprising that we are taking the transmission out with the motor.
Thinking about a shift kit as long as the transmission is out. Has anyone done this?

Ben Peterson

Today we made good progress! The motor and tranny came out with not too many complications. Just missed a few things but going slow we were able to see what we missed disconnecting while pulling the motor out. Then we removed the bell housing and pulled the torque converter off. Ran into a few hiccups but nothing a little googling couldn’t solve. Like removing the TC. Nowhere in the literature does it say anything about removing bolts that are hidden beneath and behind where is visible, and under a cover plate to boot! All the VIS says is to pull the torque converter out “using handles as necessary “ or something like that.
I got too tired and called it a night. We need bolts to hold the engine on the stand and we have to reposition he motor on he hoist so we can reach the stand. Maybe longer chains would have been better to use?
Once we have the motor on the stand it should go pretty quick to assess what the real problem is and what we need to do to make the car a car again.

KevinH2000

Please post pictures with your updates. It will help the “armchair mechanics” enjoy the experience vicariously.

Ben Peterson

Yes, I am working on something like that, but it definitely won’t be a tutorial or instructional at all. Lukas has gotten so much done when I’m not around I’ve missed quite a bit of the process.

The motor is down to the block now. Pistons are either out or about to be pulled. I gave up at 11pm last night, we had just removed the oil pan and I could hardly keep my eyes open.

Ben Peterson

So it looks like the timing chain came loose and interfered with piston 1. Definitely need a new head. I’ll grab some photos of the head it’s quite fascinating.
Everythin else is lookin good though.
Need to call the junkyards and see if they have a car I can pull a head from. While I’m there I’m looking for a used trunk break light cover and a side marker cover too.

Ben Peterson

Here’s a short vid I put together to document the process. By no means a “how to” or tutorial video.


Hope you enjoy.

KevinH2000

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ine-apart.html

You may find this thread helpful

realw203trent

I am so happy someone has another "build" thread. A while ago someone had a 2003 C240 that they bought in pretty bad condition, and were restoring it. Sadly after getting it in pretty good condition, they sold it so thread went dead. I was enjoying it, and I hope this one is as good or better than that one! Good luck!

Edit: Changed the car model, remembered it was a C240. Here's the thread in case anyone wants to read what I was referring to: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...0-into-dd.html

Ben Peterson

Here’s an update:

i should be ordering the replacement head head this weekend. Found one in Germany for a few hundo. Once that gets here off to the machine shop for a hone and cleaning, head and block.

Definitely researching the tranny cooler, and trying to figure out which radiator I have.
The goal is to be complete before next month, we will see how long that head takes to get here.

I’m happy people are enjoying the thread.

Ben Peterson

Got the head paid for now we wait for delivery.

Ben Peterson

Head arrived totally damaged and no valves! Currently talking with the seller in Germany. Frustrating for sure.