SL/R129: 1992 R129 500SL PROJECT CAR
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
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03 E500 Sport, 1992 500SL, 1997 BMW 528I
1992 R129 500SL PROJECT CAR
Hello,
I don't know if I have done a smart thing or a very stupid one. I recently purchased a 1992 500SL . It was a flood car that came from NJ. The car has 70,870 original miles , all service records, all factory and dealer upgrades and doesnt have a single scratch on it. It also runs and drives. Here is the issue. It doesnt run hot yet but the radiator seems to be blowing steam. I have put fresh coolant in the vehicle and it seemed to work fine. I cut the vehicle off and checked the hoses. The upper hose was burning hot but the bottom hose was cold and empty. Any thoughts?
I don't know if I have done a smart thing or a very stupid one. I recently purchased a 1992 500SL . It was a flood car that came from NJ. The car has 70,870 original miles , all service records, all factory and dealer upgrades and doesnt have a single scratch on it. It also runs and drives. Here is the issue. It doesnt run hot yet but the radiator seems to be blowing steam. I have put fresh coolant in the vehicle and it seemed to work fine. I cut the vehicle off and checked the hoses. The upper hose was burning hot but the bottom hose was cold and empty. Any thoughts?
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: E WVA
90 300SL
does the radiator look like it is clear of any debris? do you know anything about the flooding? what is the temp reading on the dash? when you run the car turn the heat on full, it the return line from heater core warm?
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
W211
Hello,
I don't know if I have done a smart thing or a very stupid one. I recently purchased a 1992 500SL . It was a flood car that came from NJ. The car has 70,870 original miles , all service records, all factory and dealer upgrades and doesnt have a single scratch on it. It also runs and drives. Here is the issue. It doesnt run hot yet but the radiator seems to be blowing steam. I have put fresh coolant in the vehicle and it seemed to work fine. I cut the vehicle off and checked the hoses. The upper hose was burning hot but the bottom hose was cold and empty. Any thoughts?
I don't know if I have done a smart thing or a very stupid one. I recently purchased a 1992 500SL . It was a flood car that came from NJ. The car has 70,870 original miles , all service records, all factory and dealer upgrades and doesnt have a single scratch on it. It also runs and drives. Here is the issue. It doesnt run hot yet but the radiator seems to be blowing steam. I have put fresh coolant in the vehicle and it seemed to work fine. I cut the vehicle off and checked the hoses. The upper hose was burning hot but the bottom hose was cold and empty. Any thoughts?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
03 E500 Sport, 1992 500SL, 1997 BMW 528I
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
03 E500 Sport, 1992 500SL, 1997 BMW 528I
Radiator was clear , it was a fresh water flood and the water was covered the bottom of the seats. I would bet that all the relays on the floor are toast as seats , mirrors, windows are not working.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 105
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W211
Dry it out completely, going as far as putting the motors and electronics in rice (it will act as a desiccant and dry them. It just might work.
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97 S600 coupe/gf 16 C300 Lux. Former: 08 GL450, 83 300D, 97 C230, 08 c300 luxury, 92 500SL, 93 400E
My 92 had 101k when I bought it, 2 owners, garaged, 14 years of service records, rebuilt trans and wiring harnesses, original paint, no wrecks...."the one" for $8k. And I've still spent over $5,000 in 2 years getting it "perfect," and I have about 2-3k more to go. Top hydraulics are fun. My advice is when one cylinder goes, rebuild them all together, otherwise they will fail one after the other, in unison.
Be very careful with interior wood and plastic, including AC vents and dials. They will break. 20 year old plastic is past its life. This includes the parking brake release. Mine, and my buddy's on his 91, both broke off last year. These parts are not cheap!
If the car was submerged, I'd be worried about any number of electronic components under the hood as well. Then again, all depends on what you expect from the purchase/ownership experience.
There is no such thing as a "bargain" or "Project" Mercedes from this era unless you have $10-20k to spend. Just buy a perfect one for $12-15k (which is what a pristine, concours 92 would run you).
Be very careful with interior wood and plastic, including AC vents and dials. They will break. 20 year old plastic is past its life. This includes the parking brake release. Mine, and my buddy's on his 91, both broke off last year. These parts are not cheap!
If the car was submerged, I'd be worried about any number of electronic components under the hood as well. Then again, all depends on what you expect from the purchase/ownership experience.
There is no such thing as a "bargain" or "Project" Mercedes from this era unless you have $10-20k to spend. Just buy a perfect one for $12-15k (which is what a pristine, concours 92 would run you).
Last edited by will_w204; Mar 27, 2013 at 04:40 PM.
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