When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just bought my first w126, this is all that is bad with it
Hi!
My name is Luis, I'm from Costa Rica and I just got my first MB w126. I was on a bucket list for years until I saved enough to buy one that I think is in fair to good condition, but still, it has its issues.
It's a w126 from 1987, with a 103 engine but it has a weird set of extras and missing some others. anyway here is what's wrong, perhaps you can guide me to where to find the parts or how to troubleshoot.
1. When it idles, it seems like it skips a beat or it has a little up and down. From the vendor, the fuel pump has been changed. This is only happening when idle, when driving its butter smooth and perfect.
2. Rotten exhaust - This will be addressed from my local shop, but does it has anything to do with #1?
3. Weirdly for me, the steering wheel only has 1 lever, it does not come with cruise control and that single lever seems to drive the high beam, turning signals, and windshield wipers, but I can seem to find a way to make the wiper work or even the wiper washer, in the RTV (its like a TUV in my country) it has failed 3 years with the same issue (it seems it has been driving much recently)
4. The front light dome isn't working, my car doesn't come with a sunroof, but it seems it still uses the same plastic part, I notice that that specific roof cover is kinda soggy. Is there a specific dome light for w126 with no sunroof? (I searched but eBay only has similar to the one I have)
5. broken rear speakers covers
6. Door central locking is not working, Dealer said he has a new one in the trunk but is there any troubleshooting?
7. Doors seem to need more force than usual to be closed completely.
8. Front bumper tow point cover is missing.
9. Paint chips and paint fading, can the fading be polished? I really don't want to paint over the original MB paint, I believe it adds a plus if everything is stock, but could I buy a paint correction for the small chip and buff the fading/peel?
10. Distribution gasket is liking, the timing belt has not been changed. So I guess this might be the worst part ($$) from everything else.
I'm sorry if its too much, it's just my first day that I will start working on it, and I don't know where to start, I would really appreciate if you could give me any advice and point me to a well-trusted store in the US or EU for me to start buying parts and get my dream car fixed.
Thank you all for your help,
Cheers from CR.
Photo of my 2 cars, w126(1987) and BJ70(1990) It almost doesnt fit!
Fixed the wipers by changing the fuse and found what's wrong with the washer, someone put a screw in the pump, waiting for parts. I'm using pelican parts, although it doesn't have my exact vehicle in the listing. If someone has a recommendation for a better parts supplier.
I found a major issue that doesn't let me drive the car, not sure what it is. When I "Gas" the car, or push the pedal too far to do a quick exit or request more power, the car feels like it's either with not enough fuel or actually flooded cylinders. Any ideas?
Awesome W126! Sadly I don't think many people are active here on this W126 forum site... Perhaps you can try "BenzWorld" as they focus more on the classics. As for your rough idle, I recommend first buying fuel system cleaner. (Seafoam is a good brand). It could also be bad injectors or a vacuum leak. I don't think the rusted exhaust has anything to do with the rough idle. (Rusted exhausts are very common on 126's). As for the central locking system, it's most likely a vacuum leak somewhere in the system. Try using your key on the trunk lock and see if anything happens. (On our 420SEL, the driver door doesn't unlock the car but the trunk lock does). Another common issue is the doors not shutting properly. Try lubricating the door lock (attached to the pillar) first. There are a few screws in which you can adjust the position of it. Lastly, for the paint fading, it really depends. Sometimes you can buff it out but usually, it needs a new clear coat.
I hope this helps! Best of luck with your 126!
01-04-2022, 10:47 AM
