NEW to me 89 300CE from Toronto, Canada
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
NEW to me 89 300CE from Toronto, Canada
Hi all,
I just picked up a 1989 300ce. Really good condition. Got it for pretty cheap and just drove it 200kms in one day! It has 230,000 kms on it.
I really love how she rides and how smooth the ride is. I want to keep this car original and fix up the little stuff that it needs.
So far i have noticed.
I have a engine oil leak in the front part of the engine, I think it must be the front timing chain cover.
Radio doesn't work, doesn't power on. Anyone know a fix to this?
The passenger seat doesn't go front or back but it tilts and the headrest goes up and down.
Everything else is pretty much perfect. I will post pics soon!
I'm originally a e30, e34 bmw and 80's honda guy but wanted to try out a merc
Thanks for reading and helping me out in advance!
I just picked up a 1989 300ce. Really good condition. Got it for pretty cheap and just drove it 200kms in one day! It has 230,000 kms on it.
I really love how she rides and how smooth the ride is. I want to keep this car original and fix up the little stuff that it needs.
So far i have noticed.
I have a engine oil leak in the front part of the engine, I think it must be the front timing chain cover.
Radio doesn't work, doesn't power on. Anyone know a fix to this?
The passenger seat doesn't go front or back but it tilts and the headrest goes up and down.
Everything else is pretty much perfect. I will post pics soon!
I'm originally a e30, e34 bmw and 80's honda guy but wanted to try out a merc
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Thanks for reading and helping me out in advance!
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Could certainly be timing chain cover gasket issue, could also be head gasket leak. Check compression.
Radio fix? I'd say check fusebox and pull/replace every one with updated copper/ceramic instead of the older aluminum/ceramic fuses. It fixed tons of intermittent electronics issues on my 90 300ce.
Also, if the radio is still broken, try and source a Becker CD BE4602 or other OEM single-DIN radio. I love my 4602, though it has some issues with the CD player and high G-Force maneuvers :P AUX in is my favorite feature, I use it daily.
Radio fix? I'd say check fusebox and pull/replace every one with updated copper/ceramic instead of the older aluminum/ceramic fuses. It fixed tons of intermittent electronics issues on my 90 300ce.
Also, if the radio is still broken, try and source a Becker CD BE4602 or other OEM single-DIN radio. I love my 4602, though it has some issues with the CD player and high G-Force maneuvers :P AUX in is my favorite feature, I use it daily.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Could certainly be timing chain cover gasket issue, could also be head gasket leak. Check compression.
Radio fix? I'd say check fusebox and pull/replace every one with updated copper/ceramic instead of the older aluminum/ceramic fuses. It fixed tons of intermittent electronics issues on my 90 300ce.
Also, if the radio is still broken, try and source a Becker CD BE4602 or other OEM single-DIN radio. I love my 4602, though it has some issues with the CD player and high G-Force maneuvers :P AUX in is my favorite feature, I use it daily.
Radio fix? I'd say check fusebox and pull/replace every one with updated copper/ceramic instead of the older aluminum/ceramic fuses. It fixed tons of intermittent electronics issues on my 90 300ce.
Also, if the radio is still broken, try and source a Becker CD BE4602 or other OEM single-DIN radio. I love my 4602, though it has some issues with the CD player and high G-Force maneuvers :P AUX in is my favorite feature, I use it daily.
I'm not planning to drive the car until summer so just gathering info right now. The thing about my radio is a cassette has gotten stuck inside and the previous owner had tried to get it out and destroyed the radio in the process. I'm gonna get another radio from a JY soon. The radios from the newer w124s should fit too right?
Also i'm gonna degrease the engine and see exactly where the oil is coming from.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Things that i gotta fix while its in storage.
Drivers window is off the rack, anyone know a diy for this?
Small damage on the back of the rear bumper.
New radio, whats the model of the Becker in this car?
Oh also i dont have a owners manual
anyone have a electronic copy?
Gonna do a Oil change with 5w40 rotellla in april, till that shes gonna sit nice and dry in my garage.
Drivers window is off the rack, anyone know a diy for this?
Small damage on the back of the rear bumper.
New radio, whats the model of the Becker in this car?
Oh also i dont have a owners manual
![Frown](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Gonna do a Oil change with 5w40 rotellla in april, till that shes gonna sit nice and dry in my garage.
![](http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7538/12182011086.th.jpg)
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#8
Member
cool car!
Radio Stuff.
You car came with a Becker 1432.
You can see a lot about them here:
http://www.beckerautosound.com/1432-...x_300CE_E.html
I found a rebuilt one on ebay for $90 and put it in. Its not modern radio but it works and i can play my itunes from my phone through the casette deck, which is not good either. There is a CD changer wired into the trunk, that is the best sound i get from the radio. Anyway, if you like music and your car is not a cabriolet you may want to go with an upgraded Becker or a new head unit all together. A new unit means you will need to put in new wiring too, there is a crossover in the center console that mucks up anything other than the Becker 2 channel systems.
Owners manual for 300 CE can be found through a Google search. I found it here. http://www.mediafire.com/?fwjkyjhhgfm
Most of your hard exterior parts can be found occasionally on ebay. Just search for w124 in the keywords area. Check with the seller to make sure, or ask the seller to match a part number that you find in your car's parts diagrams. 300 CE parts diagrams downloads in .pdf format can be found all over this list, trouble is I can't find one right now and gotta run so try the search and you're good.
One more note, check the front crank seal. i lost one on my 300 CE and it showed as a leak from the front of the engine. Good luck and have a great time with the car.
You car came with a Becker 1432.
You can see a lot about them here:
http://www.beckerautosound.com/1432-...x_300CE_E.html
I found a rebuilt one on ebay for $90 and put it in. Its not modern radio but it works and i can play my itunes from my phone through the casette deck, which is not good either. There is a CD changer wired into the trunk, that is the best sound i get from the radio. Anyway, if you like music and your car is not a cabriolet you may want to go with an upgraded Becker or a new head unit all together. A new unit means you will need to put in new wiring too, there is a crossover in the center console that mucks up anything other than the Becker 2 channel systems.
Owners manual for 300 CE can be found through a Google search. I found it here. http://www.mediafire.com/?fwjkyjhhgfm
Most of your hard exterior parts can be found occasionally on ebay. Just search for w124 in the keywords area. Check with the seller to make sure, or ask the seller to match a part number that you find in your car's parts diagrams. 300 CE parts diagrams downloads in .pdf format can be found all over this list, trouble is I can't find one right now and gotta run so try the search and you're good.
One more note, check the front crank seal. i lost one on my 300 CE and it showed as a leak from the front of the engine. Good luck and have a great time with the car.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Radio Stuff.
You car came with a Becker 1432.
You can see a lot about them here:
http://www.beckerautosound.com/1432-...x_300CE_E.html
I found a rebuilt one on ebay for $90 and put it in. Its not modern radio but it works and i can play my itunes from my phone through the casette deck, which is not good either. There is a CD changer wired into the trunk, that is the best sound i get from the radio. Anyway, if you like music and your car is not a cabriolet you may want to go with an upgraded Becker or a new head unit all together. A new unit means you will need to put in new wiring too, there is a crossover in the center console that mucks up anything other than the Becker 2 channel systems.
Owners manual for 300 CE can be found through a Google search. I found it here. http://www.mediafire.com/?fwjkyjhhgfm
Most of your hard exterior parts can be found occasionally on ebay. Just search for w124 in the keywords area. Check with the seller to make sure, or ask the seller to match a part number that you find in your car's parts diagrams. 300 CE parts diagrams downloads in .pdf format can be found all over this list, trouble is I can't find one right now and gotta run so try the search and you're good.
One more note, check the front crank seal. i lost one on my 300 CE and it showed as a leak from the front of the engine. Good luck and have a great time with the car.
You car came with a Becker 1432.
You can see a lot about them here:
http://www.beckerautosound.com/1432-...x_300CE_E.html
I found a rebuilt one on ebay for $90 and put it in. Its not modern radio but it works and i can play my itunes from my phone through the casette deck, which is not good either. There is a CD changer wired into the trunk, that is the best sound i get from the radio. Anyway, if you like music and your car is not a cabriolet you may want to go with an upgraded Becker or a new head unit all together. A new unit means you will need to put in new wiring too, there is a crossover in the center console that mucks up anything other than the Becker 2 channel systems.
Owners manual for 300 CE can be found through a Google search. I found it here. http://www.mediafire.com/?fwjkyjhhgfm
Most of your hard exterior parts can be found occasionally on ebay. Just search for w124 in the keywords area. Check with the seller to make sure, or ask the seller to match a part number that you find in your car's parts diagrams. 300 CE parts diagrams downloads in .pdf format can be found all over this list, trouble is I can't find one right now and gotta run so try the search and you're good.
One more note, check the front crank seal. i lost one on my 300 CE and it showed as a leak from the front of the engine. Good luck and have a great time with the car.
Oh also the drivers window is out of the rack, ad the passenger seat doesnt go forward on the rack. i guess that motor is stuck... Gotta fix a lot of little things before summer.
#11
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'89 300CE
Last edited by Dysphoria; 01-05-2012 at 09:20 PM.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Will Join!
I got a question. Are the coupe and sedan bumpers the same for 1989?
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
#14
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Sooooooo
Its getting warmer and I'm prepping the coupe to cruise....
I just have a few questions before i do that,
What kind of tranny oil should i use?
And also i think i need to fill up power steering fluid.
What brand/color of coolant do you guys use?
Its a 1989 300CE, m103 engine.
Thanks a lot in advance
Its getting warmer and I'm prepping the coupe to cruise....
I just have a few questions before i do that,
What kind of tranny oil should i use?
And also i think i need to fill up power steering fluid.
What brand/color of coolant do you guys use?
Its a 1989 300CE, m103 engine.
Thanks a lot in advance
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#23
MBWorld Fanatic!
#24
Super Member
Change ALL the fluids in the car...you don't know when (if) they have been changed on any schedule.
Tranny filter and gasket can be purchased online from any number of sellers. Tranny fluid is Dextron III / Mercon. Any good name brand product...NOT CTC brand.
YOU MUST CHANGE THIS FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS (30,000 K)OR YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT TRANNY.
Change the brake fluid. Flush it through each line starting at the furthest (right rear) to left front. KEEP THE BOWL FULL! DOT 3
P/S fluid is just a good branded hydrolic fluid with European spec. Available at CTC.... but not theirs.
When you change it suck all the old stuff in the bowl out (turkey baster) and add the new fluid. Then, with the engine running, turn the steering full lock to lock.
Don't hold it a each lock and don't do it with the front tires on the ground.
If you can't get the front tires off the ground then get some heavy construction plastic and put a piece under each front wheel.
Put it down and drive onto it.
Empty the bowl between each lock to lock cycle......the fluid will become dirty. Do this 3 /4 times. Then change the filter (buy online) and fill to between the 2 lines on the indicator.
MB product is hideously expensive and on your car not necessary.
If you are really getting into it you should consider the fuel filter. Another online purchase.
If you decide to re-seal the upper timing chain cover, and you should on the M103...be sure to use the correct sealant. I have used Permatex 51813 ANAEROBIC gasket maker on that (and other leaky MB engines) with success.
Same stuff MB sells at 3x the price.
DO NOT USE SILICON RTV.
You will also need the Permatex Surface Prep. The prep. is needed to activate the gasket maker in the absence of iron ions. Since both parts are aluminium you will need the prep. NAPA has both.
How's the serpentine belt?....online purchase!
Belt tensioner pulley howling / noisy...online purchase! But just the pulley NOT the whole tensioner.
....and it goes on and on....
Clunking in the front end as you go over bumps ?...sway bar bushings..common.. buy online
Thump when you go from N to D to N to R to N to D with your foot on thew brake?...rubber isolation mount on driveshaft at rear of tranny...common.. buy online.
The W124 is a great car...last of the breed that MB built it's reputation on.
Unfortunately rust is slowly eating them up here in Canada.
Learn it's habits, do the work yourself and you will have years of economical enjoyment and remember....that car was designed by engineers to be repaired and kept on the road.
Enjoy !!!
Tranny filter and gasket can be purchased online from any number of sellers. Tranny fluid is Dextron III / Mercon. Any good name brand product...NOT CTC brand.
YOU MUST CHANGE THIS FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS (30,000 K)OR YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT TRANNY.
Change the brake fluid. Flush it through each line starting at the furthest (right rear) to left front. KEEP THE BOWL FULL! DOT 3
P/S fluid is just a good branded hydrolic fluid with European spec. Available at CTC.... but not theirs.
When you change it suck all the old stuff in the bowl out (turkey baster) and add the new fluid. Then, with the engine running, turn the steering full lock to lock.
Don't hold it a each lock and don't do it with the front tires on the ground.
If you can't get the front tires off the ground then get some heavy construction plastic and put a piece under each front wheel.
Put it down and drive onto it.
Empty the bowl between each lock to lock cycle......the fluid will become dirty. Do this 3 /4 times. Then change the filter (buy online) and fill to between the 2 lines on the indicator.
MB product is hideously expensive and on your car not necessary.
If you are really getting into it you should consider the fuel filter. Another online purchase.
If you decide to re-seal the upper timing chain cover, and you should on the M103...be sure to use the correct sealant. I have used Permatex 51813 ANAEROBIC gasket maker on that (and other leaky MB engines) with success.
Same stuff MB sells at 3x the price.
DO NOT USE SILICON RTV.
You will also need the Permatex Surface Prep. The prep. is needed to activate the gasket maker in the absence of iron ions. Since both parts are aluminium you will need the prep. NAPA has both.
How's the serpentine belt?....online purchase!
Belt tensioner pulley howling / noisy...online purchase! But just the pulley NOT the whole tensioner.
....and it goes on and on....
Clunking in the front end as you go over bumps ?...sway bar bushings..common.. buy online
Thump when you go from N to D to N to R to N to D with your foot on thew brake?...rubber isolation mount on driveshaft at rear of tranny...common.. buy online.
The W124 is a great car...last of the breed that MB built it's reputation on.
Unfortunately rust is slowly eating them up here in Canada.
Learn it's habits, do the work yourself and you will have years of economical enjoyment and remember....that car was designed by engineers to be repaired and kept on the road.
Enjoy !!!
#25
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Change ALL the fluids in the car...you don't know when (if) they have been changed on any schedule.
Tranny filter and gasket can be purchased online from any number of sellers. Tranny fluid is Dextron III / Mercon. Any good name brand product...NOT CTC brand.
YOU MUST CHANGE THIS FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS (30,000 K)OR YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT TRANNY.
Change the brake fluid. Flush it through each line starting at the furthest (right rear) to left front. KEEP THE BOWL FULL! DOT 3
P/S fluid is just a good branded hydrolic fluid with European spec. Available at CTC.... but not theirs.
When you change it suck all the old stuff in the bowl out (turkey baster) and add the new fluid. Then, with the engine running, turn the steering full lock to lock.
Don't hold it a each lock and don't do it with the front tires on the ground.
If you can't get the front tires off the ground then get some heavy construction plastic and put a piece under each front wheel.
Put it down and drive onto it.
Empty the bowl between each lock to lock cycle......the fluid will become dirty. Do this 3 /4 times. Then change the filter (buy online) and fill to between the 2 lines on the indicator.
MB product is hideously expensive and on your car not necessary.
If you are really getting into it you should consider the fuel filter. Another online purchase.
If you decide to re-seal the upper timing chain cover, and you should on the M103...be sure to use the correct sealant. I have used Permatex 51813 ANAEROBIC gasket maker on that (and other leaky MB engines) with success.
Same stuff MB sells at 3x the price.
DO NOT USE SILICON RTV.
You will also need the Permatex Surface Prep. The prep. is needed to activate the gasket maker in the absence of iron ions. Since both parts are aluminium you will need the prep. NAPA has both.
How's the serpentine belt?....online purchase!
Belt tensioner pulley howling / noisy...online purchase! But just the pulley NOT the whole tensioner.
....and it goes on and on....
Clunking in the front end as you go over bumps ?...sway bar bushings..common.. buy online
Thump when you go from N to D to N to R to N to D with your foot on thew brake?...rubber isolation mount on driveshaft at rear of tranny...common.. buy online.
The W124 is a great car...last of the breed that MB built it's reputation on.
Unfortunately rust is slowly eating them up here in Canada.
Learn it's habits, do the work yourself and you will have years of economical enjoyment and remember....that car was designed by engineers to be repaired and kept on the road.
Enjoy !!!
Tranny filter and gasket can be purchased online from any number of sellers. Tranny fluid is Dextron III / Mercon. Any good name brand product...NOT CTC brand.
YOU MUST CHANGE THIS FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS (30,000 K)OR YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT TRANNY.
Change the brake fluid. Flush it through each line starting at the furthest (right rear) to left front. KEEP THE BOWL FULL! DOT 3
P/S fluid is just a good branded hydrolic fluid with European spec. Available at CTC.... but not theirs.
When you change it suck all the old stuff in the bowl out (turkey baster) and add the new fluid. Then, with the engine running, turn the steering full lock to lock.
Don't hold it a each lock and don't do it with the front tires on the ground.
If you can't get the front tires off the ground then get some heavy construction plastic and put a piece under each front wheel.
Put it down and drive onto it.
Empty the bowl between each lock to lock cycle......the fluid will become dirty. Do this 3 /4 times. Then change the filter (buy online) and fill to between the 2 lines on the indicator.
MB product is hideously expensive and on your car not necessary.
If you are really getting into it you should consider the fuel filter. Another online purchase.
If you decide to re-seal the upper timing chain cover, and you should on the M103...be sure to use the correct sealant. I have used Permatex 51813 ANAEROBIC gasket maker on that (and other leaky MB engines) with success.
Same stuff MB sells at 3x the price.
DO NOT USE SILICON RTV.
You will also need the Permatex Surface Prep. The prep. is needed to activate the gasket maker in the absence of iron ions. Since both parts are aluminium you will need the prep. NAPA has both.
How's the serpentine belt?....online purchase!
Belt tensioner pulley howling / noisy...online purchase! But just the pulley NOT the whole tensioner.
....and it goes on and on....
Clunking in the front end as you go over bumps ?...sway bar bushings..common.. buy online
Thump when you go from N to D to N to R to N to D with your foot on thew brake?...rubber isolation mount on driveshaft at rear of tranny...common.. buy online.
The W124 is a great car...last of the breed that MB built it's reputation on.
Unfortunately rust is slowly eating them up here in Canada.
Learn it's habits, do the work yourself and you will have years of economical enjoyment and remember....that car was designed by engineers to be repaired and kept on the road.
Enjoy !!!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
What did you mean by CTC? Canadian Tire? "P/S fluid is just a good branded hydrolic fluid with European spec" Any brand name recommendations?
I got a MANN fuel filter already and ordered a MANN oil filter...which brand is better MANN or Mobil1?
"that car was designed by engineers to be repaired and kept on the road. "
yes sir, just popping the hood for the first time made me surprised by how much space there is in the engine. Gotta love a inline six!