GO FOR MB FLUIDS
Garaged for 11 years
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
Garaged for 11 years
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.
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!!
- Coolant
- Engine Oil
- Trans Fluid.
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!!
Last edited by RC46; Dec 12, 2012 at 12:28 AM.
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From: South Jersey
1999 e320
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
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 21
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
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??
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
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.
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1997 E300D
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.
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210 55
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
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
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: South Carolina
2014 E350 4matic, 2015 Acura TLX
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.
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
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.
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
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
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.
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1997 E300D
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.
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W210 W140
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!
Really clean ride man!
Thread Starter
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
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..
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1997 E300D
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.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: medina ,ohio
05,cl65;33ford3wc.
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 21
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From: So Cal (GETTING OUT SOON!)
97 Dodge Ram 4x4
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.
if I give car to MOMS stock will work.
