1988 W124 300 TurboD Coupé ''Gold'nBrown'' - intercooling it

First bit of action: a set of new fuel filters...



Then I tried to find the pre-filter. Umm. I couldn't see, but feel it. The damn auxilliary heater sits right on top of the pre-filter and the water hoses block everything...

Solution? Jack the car up. Remove the bottom cladding and try to access if from underneath When I removed the cladding, I found the remains of the radiator support... ;D



It's still held firmly by two big brackets, nothing to worry (much).



Aaaand: I found the pre-filter. It looks accesible in the picture; but I couldn't get two hands in there to hold it whilst removing the hose clamps... I gave up after an hour



Anyway; the new main filter made big difference, the engine starts easyer and feels more powerfull. More to come once I somehow gain access to the pre-filter.

Next and last bit of action was the removal of the tow bar.



Then it started to pour and I skipped part three, the removal of the aux heater.

Cheers,
Jan

Feeling a lot better now, I thought it was time to wash of all the salt. She's been standing for over a week now - but still started on the first turn Took her to the car wash, gave her a quick wash & wax.





Looks good? Let's take a closer look at winter's toll. Damage assesment - and it didn't turn out to my delight, unfortunately Especially the driver's door is bugging me as I could've probably preventet a lot by greasing it - but I forgott to do so. Hmmpf:



On the rear - I knew an old repair was showing up here - but now the filler finaly cracked:



Also the driver's wheel arch started to show rust - this wasn't evident before winter:



But, at least; the wheel arch on the passenger's side didn't rust further, I drenched it in Owatrol & petrol jelly:



With this in mind and the sun starting to come out, I set for a extended drive through the Black Forrest:



Back home I filled a syringe with Owatrol and injected it into the rust bubbles - hoping it'll stop the rust spreading for now:



That's it for today, and now you know what a rust-bucket this car actually is. Looks always so tidy on the pictures ;D Spring is approaching in smal steps - not long untill I can crack on with installing the tow-bar and rip out the TDT's drive train

Cheers,
Jan

More boring stuff - I warned you...



Both working now. Took a bit of head scratching and by accident I found the culprit. The initial plan was to change the electric antenna. When I looked in the boot, I found this randomly cut speaker wire:



Why would you do this!? I have no idea... ;D

Next on the list: the power antenna. These things are real primadonnas... They jam as soon as there's a piece of dust on them. I had three spare telescopes - non was working (at least they were free - I know why now ;D).



Sooo - a new telescope is too expensive right now. So what I did is cut the toothed filament that pushes the telescope out, re-installed the telescope. And now it's a manual antenna. ;D



No retro without a shiney, long antenna



Let's see how long it'll withstand vandalismn

And then I threw the center console together again. And stumpled across a fault; the wiring for the (aftermarket) power windowd pushes down the mount for the switches in the console. The switches themselfes are fiex to the wood panel. No contact... So, install mount to panel and then panel to console - problem solved. ;D





^wiring NOT by me!

Everything reinstalled, ready to go.



Results:
- rear speakers working again
- radio working again
- electric mirrors working again
- one power window (passenger's) still dead, wiring OK

And that's about all the work I'm allowed to do No heavy stuff... Sigh. But it's still winter anyway and I'm not too keen about the turbodiesel conversion if it's freezing.

Cheers,
Jan

So there's hope Just sucks... I'm not even allowed to lift my tiny welder. Sigh. Anyways. ;D



Thanks The hydraulics are familiar, but drastically reduced ;D Speaking of which, I've just bought a pair of pressure spheres as the bumpy rear end starts to annoy me.

Aaaaaand: very good news! I was at the TÜV center a third time, this time armed with a folder of print outs, diagrammes and stuff: and the result of a good half hour of talking and checking data is: I can start the conversion any time - the engineer has no objections.

The main concern was the maximum weight of the front axle. The Coupé has 900kg - the TDT has 1005kg. But after lots of checking, comparing numbers etc. I ruled the only difference down to the front springs. And I can proof it black on white. The proof was the important bit. And the max. allowed weight on the front axle was the sticking point of the project - as far as legal matters are concerned. I'm very glad it's not a problem Weehee!

Cheers,
Jan

Met this lovely, early 190E yesterday First time I've seen another painted 'champagne' So had to stop and take some bad pictures ;D

Looking good Jan, did you get your new garage sorted ? ;D

The little scientist in me came out after a literally heated up debate in the german W124 forum. I said the cold air intake was not that important as soon as the car is moving. MY opinion was not shared - so I ordered two cheap chinese digital thermometers.

The cold air intake was removed and the probes installed as follows.

Probe 1:

About the area where the intake draws from

Probe 2:


Righ in the entrance of the air filter

Since the wires are a bit short, good ole duct tape had to come out...



And then I set for a drive, watched the displays and took notes. And didn't mind strange looks I got ;D

Outside temp. | probe 1 | probe 2 | notes

11° – 11,0° – 11,5° – engine cold, idle, standstill
11° – 11,3° – 12,3° – engine ~50°, 18mph
11° – 13,9° – 17,3° – engine ~50°, 0mph
11° – 15,3° – 22,5° – engine ~60°, 0mph
11° – 11,3° – 14,2° – engine 80°, 43mph

Then 30mph for ~30m and stop.

11° – 19,7° – 35,0° – engine ~90°, 0mph
11° – 18,0° – 42,0° – ”
11° – 25,3° – 45,3° – ”
11° – 32,0° – 47,0° – ”
11° – 35,0° – 51,2° – ”

Then continuedwith 30mph – after ~400m:

11° – 12,0° – 28,0° – engine ~85°, 30mph

11° – 12,3° – 17,4° – engine ~90°, 60mph
11° – 12,3° – 23,0° – engine ~90°, 18mph (60 to 18mph zone - crazy!)
11° – 12,5° – 17,0° – engine ~80°, 60mph (2km)
11° – 13,5° – 30,0° – red light
11° – 12,6° – 14,5° – engine ~80°, 60mph (3km)
11° – 13,0° – 15,2° – engine ~80°, 43mph

Then a short distance w. 30mph, then a halt.
Engine was hot and I watched the temps climb in idle:

12° – 26,0° – 41,0° – engine ~95°, 0mph, idle
12° – 30,5° – 47,0° – ”
12° – 31,0° – 48,0° – ”
12° – 34,0° – 49,9° – ”
12° – 36,5° – 54,0° – ”
12° – 39,0° – 56,0° – ”
12° – 40,0° – 58,1° – ”
12° – 41,0° – 58,9° – ”
12° – 45,0° – 59,0° – ”
12° – 47,0° – 59,1° – ”
12° – 48,0° – 59,8° – ”
12° – 49,0° – 60,5° – ”
12° – 55,2° – 60,5° – ”
12° – 47,0° – 60,0° – engine ~98°, vicous fan engages (bonnet closed)
12° – 44,0° – 60,5° – 1500RPM, fan on, 0mph
12° – 38,0° – 60,5° – ”
12° – 37,0° – 60,5° – ”
12° – 34,0° – 60,5° – ”
12° – 32,0° – 60,5° – ”

Then I continued with 30mph, temps went down pretty soon and the fan disengaged again.

12° – 12,3° – 18,2° – Motor ~85°, 30mph

after this I didn't take much notes but drove through 18 and 30mph zones and some a roads. Temperatures averaged 12,3 bis 12,6 outside and 16° (30km/h) and 14° (50-60mph) inside.

Conclusion: I was partly right. But especiall at low speeds the cold air intake has it's place, as the difference in temperatures is quite a bit bigger than I assumed. At higher speeds it gets increasingly irrelevant - as far as intake temperatures are concerned. I guess the difference will be even higher with ambient temperatures above 30°, then the air intake might make the difference between overheating and not.

An interessting exercise I'll repeat it when the turbo lump is in. And with the turbo will come a full engine bay encapsulation that reaches beyond the gearbox. I have only a bad picture of a broken engine capsule:



This thing serves mainly as a sound insulation to keep the diesel noise down. But I guess it'll also have an effect on under bonnet temperatures and aerodynamics.

Cheers,
Jan

YES YES YES!!! Looks like I saved the pipe

I found some 25% phosphoric acid, dipped it for 3h in it. Then some more Brunox Turbospray and gentle heat with a blowtorch, some more Turbospray and it started to move a little. Soaked it in more Turbospray, kept warming it - and it freed up. Now I can turn it by hand

Another acid dip, then I'll leave it in a bath of Turbospray over night and then it'll be ready for re-installation.

Phew! 100€ saved...

Hi Dave! They'r completely different Even the 200T is different to the Coupé. Thanks for the offer! Appreciate it

Oh and guess how motivated I am to complete the car...



BLAAARGH!!