RC46

I bought a 97 that had sat in a garage untouched for 11 years. Anyone have any suggestions as to fluid changes all around? It has 29,800 miles.

• Coolant
• Engine Oil
• Trans Fluid.

The vehicle had an oil change 500 miles before it was retired (have paperwork)

I am getting a LOW COOLANT warning however it doesnt look low. ??

I had to drain the Window Washer reservoir because there was rubber deteriorated inside. When I picked some out it felt like jello and disintegrated in my fingers. I took the reservoir out of the car, scrubbed it out, and reinstalled it. Needs new washer fluid now. Is any washer fluid acceptable? or is there a recommendation for that too. Thanks.
Cant wait to start motoring!!

CIGAR_LOUNGE

hello there,

my advice to you is to use MB fluids, filters , and good luck

M

tri856

swap out all new fluids. if its been sitting for 11 years id change everything out like brake fluid, power steering, mobile one full synthetic oil, tranny fluid, coolant, if theres any gas in it drive around until you use it up and then get the gas treatment and pour it in and fill up the tank, change brake pads, check rotors, maybe recharge the heat/ac, check tires if they are still good and it doesnt hurt to get a scanner and scan the car for any codes

Plutoe

Thank God you got the car for nothing!!Good Luck!!

Vander

More pictures of the car!! What a great buy! I wish it was mine

RC46

Weather has been crap today.. Sprinkling on and off . I will take some photos, prob today. I am cautiously optimistic about the car.

C280 Sport

Such low miles! Hope all goes well with getting it back on the road. Just wondering why was it in a garage for 11 years?

RC46

Actually I know the owner personally. I am a Personal Chef and I have worked for her for about 4 years now. When her husband passed she lost the will to drive. They have done very well for themselves, I dont want to say "Rich" cause some people will hate them. Have all service records. Anyway the car runs perfect, I have driven it around my pad and all seems good so far.. I really need to shake it down on a good drive though. But it does need some TLC as my post was inquiring on.

Oh I did find my radio doesn't work. Checked all related fuses including back of unit. I have power on the Red/White lead to unit, so power getting there. Any thoughts? Also will the unit say Bose on it somewhere??

Figuero

It won't say Bose anywhere as the unit isn't Bose. I believe it is a Becker.

RC46

Ok.. Does Mercedes use Bose in any vehicles, cause I have read several posts here about Bose. And I assume when people are talking about amps they have a premium system in their cars. I do not see an amp anywhere yet?? And I do not have a fuse in the Sound System slot either.. Does that indicate it a simple Head unit powered system? Either way I cant get it to power up at all.

RC46

Here are some pics.. Its a cream puff.

Hirnbeiss

If it has the Bose saound system (option code 810, I think), there is a Bose amp on the right trunk wall (inside quarter panel).

nelbur

I believe the standard radio on the '97 Es was an Alpine unit. If it had the Bose upgrade it would say so on the speaker grill on the package shelf below the rear window. That is a very nice car. I'm impressed that there are no pixels dead on your temp/odometer/time read out.

Fabio D

Failed pixels are most common in the newer cluster i think, (facelift cars) and the bose amp are located in the rear left quarter panel what a beauty car! congrats man, enjoy it and drive safe! take care about it, and check the front/rear suspension rubber componets! just to see how they are. beautiful example. Suspension sits a little high, lower it

Fabio Daniel

ejrooney

I have the same car, with same radio. I believe your radio problem results from the battery being dead at some time while it was sitting idle. The radio has an anti theft feature that requires you to enter a code after re-connecting the power. A M-B dealer should be able to give you the code as long as you can show proof of ownership.

RC46

Thanks for the reply. No amp.

Thanks for reply. Ya must be Alpine. No Bose signs anywhere.

Yep, lowering is a possibility. But not just for the sake of lowering, done right with HR springs/Bilsteins etc. Any suggestions?. My Vette has great QA1 suspension and it handles like a go kart. Well... like my go kart.


Thanks for reply. I have the code in my docs. But I cant even get it to power up. All fuses good, including back of unit. How can I enter code with no power. Wont it say "CODE" or something like that on display?

nelbur

It sounds like your problem is more serious. Yes, it would ask for the code. My '97 Alpine had a bad display. I found an identical looking '98 radio at a junk yard, which was a Becker unit. It has been working well for quite a few years.

EdzBenz

If the unit is getting power, then it is possible that the radio is just plain dead. Spend $200 at an audio store and you will have a better than stock radio with more features like MP3 and USB input.

Really clean ride man!

hyperion667

wow, clean! needs wheels!

enjoy! hope it doesn't cost you too much

RC46

Thanks Nelbur. My pick ur part is done picked over from the owners. Suckers take most anything that is worth more than 5 bucks.

Thanks for reply.. I wanted to kinda keep stock look but the heck with it. I am gonna put a good system in it so I will get a better head unit and amp etc. This one has a cassette player. LOL.. It would be better with an 8 track. I still have a STYX 8 track!!

Ya wheels fo sho . So far its cost very little. We will see. I may actually give the car to my ma. She loves it. .And she's worth it.


Hey guys thanks for all the replies.. Have a Merry Christmas..

nelbur

When I said I got the radio from a junk yard, I should have said I had my indi order it from his junk yard source. I forget what yard he got it from. The junk yards in urban areas strip out the salable items and crush the remainder to save space. If you go this route I recommend that you try for something later than '97 as the Alpine units were dumped by Mercedes in favor of the Becker units in '98. Becker will repair their units. You will have to get the code for the radio from the dealer, which was done for me by my indi.

dtohio

I wouldn't drive at hi speeds (especially sustained) on tires that old, even worse ones parked in one position. Also I'd drain the gas if possible or dilute it, and do battery needs. As others say change all possible fluids. Car looks great, good luck.

RC46

Thanks nelbur. I am looking into Beckers and aftermarket both.I do want AUX input as all I listen to is Pandora, Spotify, Tune in Radio etc.

Thanks DT. New tires for sure. Oil has been changed and filter, Coolant next and fuel treatment in process, new battery done. As far as tires don't know if I want new rims. If I keep car new rims if I give car to MOMS stock will work.