Possible Modifications to 1991 300ce?
#551
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Not exactly what I wanted to hear. He said the same thing everyone else does "wow, this thing is running GREAT". And it is. Only its running great at half power. He didn't believe me on the timing of the 0-100kmph sprint so we timed it and then went back to the shop and checked the official specs. 7.8s +- 7%. Bucky is still running solid 14s.
We cleared the codes and (as of yet I've not checked all of them) but most seem to have disappeared except for 3 (Lambda) and 8 (engine temp sensor). The ECU codes changed and now only 5 (CTP Sensor) shows. SRS and HVAC are unchanged as far as I know, and that makes sense.
He told me to check fuel volume (pressure is fine), throttle position sensor, and the cam solenoid by the distributor cap. He gave me the ball-park procedures for this and I guess I'll go ahead and see how bucky responds.
He agreed that a full engine rebuild would likely solve most of the issues, but he feels that this car is likely a car that will never be right.
Really put a dent in my enthusiasm. How can it run perfectly but so ****ed up? I just don't understand. I want this thing to run properly for once so I can actually FEEL what this car is like. Ugh.
#552
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I think you can get that 14 second time closer to, say, 10 seconds after fixing the obvious things like O2, ECT, and finding what else is acting up (cam solenoid, etc). A weak bottom end shouldn't reduce power THAT much, especially if you're anywhere near sea level...
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Last edited by AMGDave; 11-24-2010 at 09:53 AM.
#553
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I hope so Dave. I'm going to try and tackle all this stuff hopefully Saturday before I leave for school. I've been reading that if I pull the OVP, the car goes into dumb mode and runs on purely mechanical settings.
If I do that and performance improves, I've isolated my problems to the electrical systems, correct?
If I do that and performance improves, I've isolated my problems to the electrical systems, correct?
#554
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Did one of the test procedures tonight with my dad, and it turned out great. Or poorly, depends on how you view things.
The camshaft adjuster magnet unit is completely toast. Like, dead as can be. We jumped both terminals expecting (if the unit worked) to hear the car bog down as the cam adjusted. There was no change any which way we jumped the terminals.
I've tracked one down by TRUCKTEC which appears to be a Mercedes/BMW/Audi OE supplier with about 25 years of work behind them for 58$ compared to 225$ from Mercedes. I'm going to give this a shot and see if a stuck cam has been the root cause of (all/most/some/none) my performance issues.
The camshaft adjuster magnet unit is completely toast. Like, dead as can be. We jumped both terminals expecting (if the unit worked) to hear the car bog down as the cam adjusted. There was no change any which way we jumped the terminals.
I've tracked one down by TRUCKTEC which appears to be a Mercedes/BMW/Audi OE supplier with about 25 years of work behind them for 58$ compared to 225$ from Mercedes. I'm going to give this a shot and see if a stuck cam has been the root cause of (all/most/some/none) my performance issues.
#555
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SWEET! Sure is nice when you can find easy stuff like that, eh? Make sure the replacement is the proper part number, but yes you can find aftermarket solenoids for <$100 from various vendors. See photos of the R&R procedure at this link... M119 shown, but it should be nearly identical on the M104.
On a side note, when an aftermarket vendor shows the manufacturer as "OES Genuine" that means it's an OE/dealer part that should arrive in an MB package, same as what you'd get from the dealership. The original p/n (104-050-01-77) was superceded to p/n 119-051-00-77, which has a current dealer list price of $94, not $225... that 225 number is a typo on the Bimby website.
On a side note, when an aftermarket vendor shows the manufacturer as "OES Genuine" that means it's an OE/dealer part that should arrive in an MB package, same as what you'd get from the dealership. The original p/n (104-050-01-77) was superceded to p/n 119-051-00-77, which has a current dealer list price of $94, not $225... that 225 number is a typo on the Bimby website.
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Last edited by AMGDave; 11-28-2010 at 08:52 PM.
#556
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Yeah, I'm kind of happy this checked out. However, it looks like the new part number (119-051-00-77) has to be matched up to a new Armature (119-051-00-43). Not sure how much further down the camshaft this repair/replace cycle will carry either :\
I'm guessing that armature and bolt assembly does NOT come with the new camshaft adjuster magnet I bought, right?
I'm guessing that armature and bolt assembly does NOT come with the new camshaft adjuster magnet I bought, right?
Last edited by Saijin_Naib; 11-29-2010 at 03:06 AM.
#558
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I got it from the Shop Manual DVD. It is under the m104 section, then Section 5 (Engine, Camshaft, and Valve Train), then 05-2175 (Armature and servo magnet at camshaft adjuster).
I may just be mis-reading this part, but that is what I've gotten out of it thus far. And this is why I'm not a mechanic btw :\
I may just be mis-reading this part, but that is what I've gotten out of it thus far. And this is why I'm not a mechanic btw :\
#559
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Interesting... however it may be that the new part number is forward-compatible, i.e. you can use the new solenoid/magnet with the old armature, but you can't use the new armature with old solenoid. (???)
Or just to be safe - you could use the original solenoid (104-050-01-77) which costs more. But it sounds like you already ordered the new style. The new armature is cheap (<$10) and the new bolt should be <$5, I'd just upgrade the whole thing...
Or just to be safe - you could use the original solenoid (104-050-01-77) which costs more. But it sounds like you already ordered the new style. The new armature is cheap (<$10) and the new bolt should be <$5, I'd just upgrade the whole thing...
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Last edited by AMGDave; 11-29-2010 at 08:49 PM.
#560
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Well, since I can't confirm/deny forward compatibility, I just decided "screw it" and ordered the new armature, the two bolts, and the nut.
This appears to be the full suite of things I need to update successfully from the 104 part number cam adjuster magnet assembly to the 119 part number assembly.
Grand total for these ancillary bits was 38$. Oh well. Less than 100$ to maybe get Bucky below 10s 0-60s is well worth it to me.
This appears to be the full suite of things I need to update successfully from the 104 part number cam adjuster magnet assembly to the 119 part number assembly.
Grand total for these ancillary bits was 38$. Oh well. Less than 100$ to maybe get Bucky below 10s 0-60s is well worth it to me.
#561
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This just tickled me a bit...
![](http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa316/Saijin_Naib/wtfmbenzwarehouse.jpg)
I was shipped this very heavy-duty metal nut in a box which had a volume of about 960 cubic inches. The part, in the bag with label (folded as much as possible), is a whopping 1.75 cubic inches. I feel like this is slightly overkill....
I mean, I know zee Germans are very careful about how they do things, but surely this part could have fared the incredibly treacherous journey from NJ to NY in a padded envelope?
![](http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa316/Saijin_Naib/wtfmbenzwarehouse.jpg)
I was shipped this very heavy-duty metal nut in a box which had a volume of about 960 cubic inches. The part, in the bag with label (folded as much as possible), is a whopping 1.75 cubic inches. I feel like this is slightly overkill....
I mean, I know zee Germans are very careful about how they do things, but surely this part could have fared the incredibly treacherous journey from NJ to NY in a padded envelope?
Last edited by Saijin_Naib; 12-03-2010 at 12:28 AM.
#562
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Ha ha, that's too funny!!!
A thought:
It didn't get LOST though, did it?
Funny things happen to envelopes - esp. at Christmas time.
Thanks for sharing
A thought:
It didn't get LOST though, did it?
Funny things happen to envelopes - esp. at Christmas time.
Thanks for sharing
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#566
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Pretty sure this is the LSD I need to keep my 3.27 final.
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Nope, that one (p/n 126-350-40-23) is only for 2.65, 2.82, and 3.06 ratios.
You'd need p/n 140-350-29-23 for a 210mm W124 diff with 3.27 ratio. There's no price on the USA price list, meaning that nobody has special ordered one of these in the USA in a long time, if ever. The current Euro price is around €1150 or roughly $1600 USD, if it's available at all (I didn't check - need to call your dealer and inquire if there are any in stock in Germany).
Personally, I'd ditch the 3.27 gears and swap to 3.06 with either the Quaife (which would cost slightly less) or the factory LSD (which costs half as much)... too much sacrifice in MPG, freeway cruise RPM's, and top speed with the 3.27's...
You'd need p/n 140-350-29-23 for a 210mm W124 diff with 3.27 ratio. There's no price on the USA price list, meaning that nobody has special ordered one of these in the USA in a long time, if ever. The current Euro price is around €1150 or roughly $1600 USD, if it's available at all (I didn't check - need to call your dealer and inquire if there are any in stock in Germany).
Personally, I'd ditch the 3.27 gears and swap to 3.06 with either the Quaife (which would cost slightly less) or the factory LSD (which costs half as much)... too much sacrifice in MPG, freeway cruise RPM's, and top speed with the 3.27's...
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#568
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Hmm... perhaps. I still manage to pull some nice mileage in though. Cruise RPMs, I have to agree are quite high. However, that means that at 65mph in 4th, I'm right at the start of the fun part of the powerband on the 3.27 (around 3.7k RPMs)
As for top speed, I've seen 125 so I know it still exists.
I mostly do lower-speed autocross and rally, so I'd like to ideally keep the kick the 3.27 provides (especially in first, jesus jumped up christ).
This is just an "eventually" item anyway. I still need to do the cam adjuster upgrade/replacement to see if I get some power back.
Although, with the volume of snow I'm getting here in Rochester, the LSD would be excellent right about now...
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I mostly do lower-speed autocross and rally, so I'd like to ideally keep the kick the 3.27 provides (especially in first, jesus jumped up christ).
This is just an "eventually" item anyway. I still need to do the cam adjuster upgrade/replacement to see if I get some power back.
Although, with the volume of snow I'm getting here in Rochester, the LSD would be excellent right about now...
![](https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/0TW-lRBcYu8/0.jpg)
Last edited by Saijin_Naib; 12-07-2010 at 02:06 PM.
#569
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Hmm... perhaps. I still manage to pull some nice mileage in though. Cruise RPMs, I have to agree are quite high. However, that means that at 65mph in 4th, I'm right at the start of the fun part of the powerband on the 3.27 (around 3.7k RPMs)
As for top speed, I've seen 125 so I know it still exists. I mostly do lower-speed autocross and rally, so I'd like to ideally keep the kick the 3.27 provides.
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Absolutely! While I still prefer ASR as the optimal solution for winter driving (it's really fantastic on snow & ice), limited-slip is the next best thing. Driving a peg-leg car in winter is miserable even with four good snow tires.
#570
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I'm assuming the coupe got ASR by the 94/95 model year, correct? I'm also going to guess that it is a non-trivial thing to add to a non-ASR car.
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Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible (AFAIK) to retrofit ASR to a car that didn't come with it from the factory. Or at least very, very difficult. I wouldn't buy a 90-up 124 without it though, which makes shopping easier as that eliminates about 2/3 of the cars available!
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#572
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ASR was an available option on pretty much every gasoline-powered W124 in the USA starting with the 1990 model year, but I believe it was only standard equipment on the E500E.
Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible (AFAIK) to retrofit ASR to a car that didn't come with it from the factory. Or at least very, very difficult. I wouldn't buy a 90-up 124 without it though, which makes shopping easier as that eliminates about 2/3 of the cars available!
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible (AFAIK) to retrofit ASR to a car that didn't come with it from the factory. Or at least very, very difficult. I wouldn't buy a 90-up 124 without it though, which makes shopping easier as that eliminates about 2/3 of the cars available!
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
What numbers were they produced in in those years? I can find a multitude of cabrios, wagons, and sedans but the hardtop coupe is... tricky.
If I ever did upgrade to another w124, it'd have to be a 94/95 coupe for the C36 swap, heated seats, and ASR. Otherwise, stick with the Bucky.
How do people feel about the 560sec or the early CL? I love the design of the early CL, looks just like a large w124.
#573
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At least 2/3s of the cars must be gone. I'm having a miserable time even finding 94/95 coupes using cars.com with search distance set to all across the US. What numbers were they produced in in those years? I can find a multitude of cabrios, wagons, and sedans but the hardtop coupe is... tricky.
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#574
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Funny to hear that - a fried of mine is searching for a 94/95 coupe and is having difficulty finding anything at a decent price in good condition. I don't know the quantity produced, but it must have been pretty low. Lots of cabrios available (at higher prices) but few coupes, and even fewer with both ASR and heated seats.... some have one or the other, but rarely both.
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The 560SEC is a great car, just different... larger in every way compared to the 124, and a bit less sporty IMO (far fewer performance parts are available, which could be a good thing if you want to avoid souping it up). I find the W126 to be a little outdated in technology but it's not bad. A widebody would be more tempting. Dunno anything about the CL but the price and computerization would give me pause... ![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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#575
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I was hoping that with the larger V8 powerplant it would be a good candidate for some mods and fun, but I guess I missed the mark on that one. I Just love the looks of the black AMG kitted 560sec... one mean car. Yeah, I've heard the CL had some QA issues which is a complete shame.
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