Started to work on my 43 and pulled the valve covers to change the gaskets. Will also do the plugs (Bosch Super) and the V75 Magnecor wires. Then will change my rotors front and back, paint the calipers, install SS brake pipes and yellow pads. I may also go for the KW suspension upgrade.
I noticed that the valve cover oil vent pipes need changing as they are very brittle.
Will also do some rust repair and painting around the sills. Finally, I may order a set of new 18" monos

Nice and clean under the valve covers despite the engine having over 227k kms. Enjoy

 

Goood job,, pls. if you also can paint the Valve covers in Red or Yellow or Blue, it well be great with freshy loooking........

ZAYED,,

 

Yes, similar to mine last week with only 110,000 miles. Credit to Mobil1!

I also did the Breather cover using RTV sealant after Gunking and brushing it clean.

 

Mine will be painted in a classic silver. I have passed the age of bling type colors. I also think of a black crackle paint like Saaboteur did his, somewaht like the classic Ferraris and Maseratis

 

Pulled my spare out of the boot so I could clean out the battery spill on the metal floor. Found out the battery vents where open on both ends One is connected with the plastic vent tube down under the chassis. The other vent just pushes out acid fumes to inside the compartment. I just would like to get my hands on the moron who decided to do that. Repaired and blocked the hole with some epoxy 2 compound glue. I also discovered several things:

• It is a genuine AMG 17" mono
• The tyre on it (factory fitted) is a 215
• Speed limited to 80 kph when driving with this wheel

Some pics here:

 

You didn't know about the genuine mono spare? I, too, was surprised at the 215 size (probably to fit in there).

 

No I didn't know and it was the first time I pulled the spare out (brand new tyre manufactured in 1999) which has never been used. I assume the reduced size is so it can fit in the wheel well.

 

I've fit a 225 in the spare area no problem

 

+1
I have a 225 on the spare right now.

 

Thanks for your comments guys I guess I will change also to a 225 also as the OE must be sooooo old it could be dangerous to use and at least I will have the same size as the front wheels

 

OK, first mode was the cleaning then painting of the valve covers. After several well made remarks by you members on here and the missus (who I give also a vote ), I have opted for the black paint solution. I will probably remove the intake manifold and get that red. I also used the time to open and clean the breather tanks (no gunk inside) and will be resealing them shortly. I discover that after cleaning all the gasket glue off the covers, I dry tested the screw holes and discovered that none screwed down the cover to a decent tightness. So measured inside the hole and was surprised with the limited depth. I solutioned the problem by using a drill bit and twiddling manually gently inside the hole to pull out and remove the old gasket glue. I stopped when I felt the drill bit touching the alu at the bottom of the hole. Measured and all holes now show a uniform 17mm depth. Perfect, job done
Some pictures below and more upgrades to come soon. Stay tuned....

 

Ordered this afternoon the KW Variant 2 suspension upgrade in Germany

If I pull the intake, I will replace with phelonic spacers from Evosport. Waiting for a quote because they don't export to Europe normally and I can't order via internet.

I am also bidding on the German "flea" bay for a set of staggered 18" monos II with diamond cut lips.

Otherwise, my hand was operated this morning, but it hasn't stopped me doing some work and sealing the oil blower tanks on the valve covers The missus was at work so she didn't see me More heavy mechanical stuff may be problematic for the next couple of days, so will lay off.

I was thinking on buying a C63 but I guess I will use the cash to update the 43 and perhaps aim for a good C55: I have seen a nice silver version and cheap too. The 63 will then wait for later so as to make a 3 car "C" AMG stable. Just need to fin a 36 and I'll have a very serious storage problem...

 

[QUOTE=DRBC43AMG;5123901]...I discover that after cleaning all the gasket glue off the covers, I dry tested the screw holes and discovered that none screwed down the cover to a decent tightness....[QUOTE]

Wow! Nice attention to detail!!! (Like Swiss clockwork.)

 

^+1 thanks and I hope the engine doesn't go cuckoo every hour on the hour

Cleaned the paint off the valve covers so as to make a good contact with the coil packs. Also cleaned the cylinder ID # so as to paint in red. Think that will be a nice contrast
Picked up a set of all the breather rubber tubes at the MB dealer. I was very pleasantly surprised when seeing the price. They where dirt cheap and all four cost a bit more that just one of the four pipes I looked at on the net. Goes to say that the dealer is not always a stealer contrary with what we think with their pricing policies.
Some photos:

 

Just ordered the Klann clone type spring compressor, as that will be necessary to have the appropriate and SAFE tool to change springs.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...shims-c43.html

 

Nice work! Good to see C43 owners undertaking DIY projects like this. Keep the photos and progress coming, especially on the suspension work.

My '98 C43 needs routine maintenance and suspension re-fresh as well, so I'll be checking this thread for tips/hints/motivation!

 

Thanks. All work will be put on hold from the end of the week for two weeks, as I'm going south to feel the sun

 

OK Guys, some last info and pictures before taking off for two weeks in the south

Cylinder #'s painted in bright red. That was a b**ger to do as my eye sight is not as sharp as 40 years ago and I needed a very thin brush. It came out not too bad IMO.

Also wanted to show my twin AMG badged oil filler cap

Lastly, some cleaning with an electric Dremel tool to remove the rust from the underside of the coil packs. That should ensure the coils don't have a voltage issue or generate a fault code. Finally, numbered the coil packs too. Some before and after pictures

Happy Easter to you all and don't eat too much chocolate bunnies

Oh, I nearly forget... I won the bid for a set of genuine 18" staggered monos with polished rims. Should be arriving from Germany at the end of the month

 

DRB, completely unnecessary and utterly **** work you've done here....I love the attention to detail! Enjoy your vacation and get back to work on the car and suspension as quickly as possible!

 

I just wish I could jump forward two weeks, but with my hand operated a week ago, I have to show some restraint and patience, wait for the removal of the stitches and more healing before thinking of getting my hands dirty. I do use surgical gloves, but they never last very long before tearing... and I'm not too bothered putting new ones on My brakes will also be overhauled, calipers painted and new discs and pads mounted. Also longing to see my KW suspension, spring compressor, 18" monos, before enjoying some driving

 

Very good job with Coil packs..., its important to clean them after a while,,,

waaaw, Excellent choose with light Red, pics. if available pls.......

ZAYED,,

 

I am very jealous of your KW purchase, I was on the fence and almost bought the KW kit myself but wound up passing as it would of added about $1600 to my suspension project which was already @ $5k.

Please post a review of it after you have it installed

 

So people, I'm back home and in business! I love life now being retired as I don't have a bad conscious not going to work

So today's progress was getting new valve cover gaskets fitted and the covers back on the engine. Before assembling the valve covers, I felt it was a perfect moment to pull the 16 plugs and get new ones fitted and torqued.
Guess I couldn't have chosen a better moment as it took me 1 hour for cylinders 1-4 and 15 minutes for 5-8. Why you may ask? Easy, I purchased the perfect extension bar which together with the 16mm plug socket fits perfectly in the tight places. Oh, I also removed the screen washer which gave me a nice space to work around

Some pictures of the old plugs (worn but clean and showing good regular combustion on all 8 cylinders)

Decided for Bosch plugs as I have always used them in ALL my vehicles and NEVER had a problem. Currently they are OE NGK's

I am also following the different shipments which where on hold until I got back from vacation:
Evosport phenolic kit has cleared customs (probably Swiss) as the goods have been on the road (flying ) since April 19
Klann spring compressor left Denmark last Friday
KW Variant 2 suspension kit somewhere between Germany and Switzerland
18" Monos also on the road somewhere
Tomorrow, I will remove the inlet manifold for some cleaning and painting (bright red to go with the satin black valve covers). I will probably also replace the knock sensors under the manifold, to avoid a possible breakdown later down the road. Finally, I'll get the car up on axle stands in order to dismantle the front and rear brakes and prepare for the KW suspension upgrade.
Will be back with more updates tomorrow evening

Quick question for those in the know:
When removing the inlet manifold, is it better to leave the injectors in situ? I don't want to start having to get new gaskets as they have no leaks

 

The phenolic spacers are awesome, I go for a hard drive, come home and within 15 minutes or less I can put my hand on the intake manifold without it burning me. There is no doubt it is preventing the intake from heating up as fast and it allows it to cool quicker. Combine that with the heat shielding I have on the underside of my Renntech air box and you have a nice little reduction in IAT.

Again I am JEALOUS of the KW set up, make sure you post a review once you get it installed.

 

The Postman delivered the Evosport phenolic spacers this morning