MercedesNEWB

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I am inheriting a 1988 300E. The car has been sitting for going on 3 years now! Everything suspension wise was replaced before that, so that is all good. It is my aunts car. Someone told her that a piston was stuck and the car was a crusher. Well I put a battery in the car 3 days ago, sprayed some starting fluid in the intake and it started up. Old gas and all. The motor didn't make to many wild sounds. I sounded like all six cylinders were firing and moving okay. Sounded like a slight knock, which I am assuming is from sitting for so long. New oil should clear that up.
I am wondering what I should check on the motor before firing it up again. I will be doing a compression test first, if that turns out well I will be replacing spark plugs, fuel fitler, fuel, oil, filter, air filter etc. Just wondering if there is anything particular I should check. I have never even driven a Mercedes before. So I have no clue what to look for, but I do know my way around cars pretty well. Can someone tell me what are acceptable plugs to use? As well as what oil these straight six's enjoy consuming!

Thanks everyone, sorry for the long read. Thanks all for the input as well. I hope my Mercedes adventure turns into a good one.

appatula

Spark plugs are extremely hard to find for these cars, or the correct ones at least. You need NON resistor spark plugs, NGK BP5EFS. You'll have to get them from Europe.

These engines call for nothing special when it comes to oil, no need to use synthetic.

You've covered most of the general maint things, next step is to drive it and bring a big notepad with you so you can jot down all the "other" issues . You will love this car.

MercedesNEWB

Good to know! So none of the plugs that they offer at the autozone will work huh.

appatula

You'd be better off dropping a buck on a lottery ticket.

MercedesNEWB

So I went to advance auto parts, they cross referenced the part number to an Autolite plug. The car runs great on them!

ps2cho

I would still be warey. You do not want resistor type plugs. Double check it as no offense but AAP employee's are not mechanics.

If it has been sitting a long time, I'd definitely get some seafoam through that engine and give it a good old italian tune up.

You inherited a great automobile Welcome.

MercedesNEWB

Will NGK BP6es or bp6ef's work? They are both non resistor plugs, any info would be cool. I have heard terrible things about sea foam on my regular forum. Don't laugh (honda-tech) as I currently drive a high 12 second all motor 1993 SI hatch don't hate to much!

ps2cho

I believe its only bad if you dump it in the crankcase and leave it in there for 3k miles til the next oil change. Running it through the intake manifold....what harm can it do?

If those are non-resistor and not platinum/irridium, go for it!

MercedesNEWB

appatula, suggested the bp5efs, will the 6 heat range work on the NA engine type m103