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PWNER - gerryvz
- Thread starter gerryvz
- Start date
Impressive result. Hate to do this, but are you going to post up a "How-To" on your 15-minute cleaning? Or, do you just follow the directions on this stuff: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/engine+detailing+kit.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search
I have $20 on that too, I agree.
On Thursday, I drove my E500 the 5.5 hours (each way) from Houston to New Orleans for a long road-trip, to visit the National World War II Museum near the French Quarter, which I hadn't seen since late 2008.
http://nationalww2museum.org/
They have significantly expanded the Museum, which back in 2008 was called the National D-Day Museum, into a full-blown WW2 Museum. Back in 2008, the Museum only was a single, large building. Today it covers more than three city blocks. And the Museum isn't done yet, with yet another building to be built during 2015-2016, opening late in 2016.
5.5 hours is a fairly long drive, but it was quite effortless in the E500. I did get one ticket, from the Iberville Parish Sheriff, for going 72 MPH in a 60 MPH construction zone. That ticket cost $175 and is payable online, and will not be reported to go against insurance as long as I pay it by early June. This was clearly a local Iberville money-making operation, as the trap I got nailed in was coming down over a bridge over a swamp, in the right lane, and the Sheriff was pulled over with a Laser gun. I had no time to react, and my Valentine One was of absolutely no use. The ticket was handed out quickly and before I had even gotten off the road at the nearby exit (the Sheriff waved me over onto an exit ramp for the pull-over), and gotten back onto I-10, he already had nailed another "victim." The funny thing is that I was pulled over about 50 yards before a "70 MPH" sign. Lucrative business for that Parish, I think. That's how they do it in :dasauf:
The Louisiana State Police were out in force, though I was able to stay out of their wily clutches. There are a couple of 15-20 mile elevated causeways on I-10 that cross giant swamps in southern Louisiana, between Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, with no exits/off-ramps. On these causeways, the Louisiana troopers station themselves on the side of the bridge, and have a nice, long, straight shot at oncoming cars with their laser guns. I saw two of these "traps" but luckily was able to avoid them with little difficulty. Lots of roving LSP SUVs, too.
On the way home, I crossed Lake Pontchartrain, which is a massive saltwater lake immediately north of New Orleans. I wanted to take I-12 back until it met up with I-10 at Baton Rouge. Lake Pontchartrain has a north-south causeway that bisects it; this causeway is 23.85 miles long.
This is the world's longest continuous bridge over water.
The storm surge on Lake Pontchartrain was a major cause of the flooding of 80% of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, due in some part to the levees between the Lake and downtown New Orleans breaking.
The most notable thing about this trip was the gas mileage I got in my E500, however. I filled up the tank two times - once in Crowley, LA on the way there, and the other time in Vinton, LA on the way back to Houston. One tank (which was about 60% full when I started in Houston) I received 18.9 MPG. The second fillup (which was 100% freeway driving) was 20.9 MPG. This was one of the best tanks I've ever had with the E500, and I didn't even use cruise control to get it.
Cheers,
Gerry
http://nationalww2museum.org/
They have significantly expanded the Museum, which back in 2008 was called the National D-Day Museum, into a full-blown WW2 Museum. Back in 2008, the Museum only was a single, large building. Today it covers more than three city blocks. And the Museum isn't done yet, with yet another building to be built during 2015-2016, opening late in 2016.
5.5 hours is a fairly long drive, but it was quite effortless in the E500. I did get one ticket, from the Iberville Parish Sheriff, for going 72 MPH in a 60 MPH construction zone. That ticket cost $175 and is payable online, and will not be reported to go against insurance as long as I pay it by early June. This was clearly a local Iberville money-making operation, as the trap I got nailed in was coming down over a bridge over a swamp, in the right lane, and the Sheriff was pulled over with a Laser gun. I had no time to react, and my Valentine One was of absolutely no use. The ticket was handed out quickly and before I had even gotten off the road at the nearby exit (the Sheriff waved me over onto an exit ramp for the pull-over), and gotten back onto I-10, he already had nailed another "victim." The funny thing is that I was pulled over about 50 yards before a "70 MPH" sign. Lucrative business for that Parish, I think. That's how they do it in :dasauf:
The Louisiana State Police were out in force, though I was able to stay out of their wily clutches. There are a couple of 15-20 mile elevated causeways on I-10 that cross giant swamps in southern Louisiana, between Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, with no exits/off-ramps. On these causeways, the Louisiana troopers station themselves on the side of the bridge, and have a nice, long, straight shot at oncoming cars with their laser guns. I saw two of these "traps" but luckily was able to avoid them with little difficulty. Lots of roving LSP SUVs, too.
On the way home, I crossed Lake Pontchartrain, which is a massive saltwater lake immediately north of New Orleans. I wanted to take I-12 back until it met up with I-10 at Baton Rouge. Lake Pontchartrain has a north-south causeway that bisects it; this causeway is 23.85 miles long.
This is the world's longest continuous bridge over water.
The storm surge on Lake Pontchartrain was a major cause of the flooding of 80% of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, due in some part to the levees between the Lake and downtown New Orleans breaking.
The most notable thing about this trip was the gas mileage I got in my E500, however. I filled up the tank two times - once in Crowley, LA on the way there, and the other time in Vinton, LA on the way back to Houston. One tank (which was about 60% full when I started in Houston) I received 18.9 MPG. The second fillup (which was 100% freeway driving) was 20.9 MPG. This was one of the best tanks I've ever had with the E500, and I didn't even use cruise control to get it.
Cheers,
Gerry
On the way home, I crossed Lake Pontchartrain, which is a massive saltwater lake immediately north of New Orleans. I wanted to take I-12 back until it met up with I-10 at Baton Rouge. Lake Pontchartrain has a north-south causeway that bisects it; this causeway is 24 miles long.
This is the world's longest bridge over water.
That's a great looking photo. All it needs is a few floating islands in the sky and it would look like one of Roger Dean's album cover art for the band Yes.
Yeah... That's Iberville. They love to catch you coming over the horizon. 10 over and you're generally good; 12 and it's a ticket. They're the same way on the Ohio Turnpike, laser guns pointed right at you coming over the horizon. I hate it -- underhanded and slimy. And $175 is steep (or it's been a long time since I've gotten a speeding ticket).
Gorgeous picture though, and generally a nice drive along I-10. I-275 /75 from Tampa to Naples is another nice one, with bridges and vistas over water.
Cheers,
maw
Gorgeous picture though, and generally a nice drive along I-10. I-275 /75 from Tampa to Naples is another nice one, with bridges and vistas over water.
Cheers,
maw
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I wouldn't even mind revenue-generation mechanisms like this. We have no such luxury in the PNW. Tickets paid online/mail are considered guilty pleas and recorded on your permanent record, and sent to insurance with much glee. Traffic school is not an option either.
Hey!!!
Watch it, I grew up in that toilet.
It was a great place to be in the 50s but in 1960 after I graduated from high school I moved west and never looked back.
I still have relatives and friends there. I still really miss the food.
Last time back was around 2000. We saw the WW II museum then but I would love to see it now. I guess it's time for another visit.
NO hasn't been the same since Katrina but it is still a "Party Town"
My view on New Orleans (and remember that I spent the first six years of my life living in very small-town Mississippi) is that it is an awesome place to visit, and has probably more pure, raw, gut-level "culture" and "soul" than any city in the US. But, there are some major drawbacks, including the crime rate, which is horrendous.
I wouldn't want to live in NO but I just love visiting.
Then again, I say the same thing about SoCal (I lived in the SF Bay Area for four years in the 1990s as a twenty-something). Wouldn't want to live there, but love visiting (especially for E500E related activities).
I wouldn't want to live in NO but I just love visiting.
Then again, I say the same thing about SoCal (I lived in the SF Bay Area for four years in the 1990s as a twenty-something). Wouldn't want to live there, but love visiting (especially for E500E related activities).
Was rummaging around in my stash o' relays tonight, to get a replacement (spare) 560SEC klima relay to replace the (recently) intermittent and just-died klima relay in my car. Had to drive home the past two evenings in 80+F Houston heat with no A/C.
A spare factory Klima relay did the trick.
In any case, we were just talking with Ascension about the blinker relay.... I came across this stash of factory (and a Kaehler) blinker relay, as well as a stash of factory MB Hella "bulb-out monitor warning lamp" relays.... these are all useful for both the 124 and the later (Gen 2) W126 models.
Cheers,
Gerry
A spare factory Klima relay did the trick.
In any case, we were just talking with Ascension about the blinker relay.... I came across this stash of factory (and a Kaehler) blinker relay, as well as a stash of factory MB Hella "bulb-out monitor warning lamp" relays.... these are all useful for both the 124 and the later (Gen 2) W126 models.
Cheers,
Gerry
Attachments
I've got a lower wiring harness on order, as well as an oil level sender.
My next two HOW-TO jobs for the E500E will be on replacement of these two items.
I also have a brand-new set of rear hydro-legs en route both for my E500 and for my 560SEC, as well as factory rear subframe & rear diff mounts for the SEC.
Replacement of all of these items will also be on my near-term HOW-TO list before the summer heat begins to set into the Houston area during May. The window is closing....
Cheers,
Gerry
Other than the lower wiring harness (which I did a few months ago and struggled with), these are all things my E500 are in need of currently. Eagerly awaiting your how-to's Gerry!
Classic symptom: significant/noticeable clunk over bumps on the rear passenger side. Just original parts that need to be replaced after 20+ years. Mainly I got them because the deal I got on them new was so freaking good, that I literally couldn't turn it down. I started noticing the dreaded "clink" over the winter.
The 560SEC units are 26+ years old, weeping, and are being replaced as part of a total rear suspension refurbishment. These too I got new for a significantly better price than even the newly lowered price on the factory units.
Cheers,
Gerry
....Did you take mine from my work bench? name your sources!!!These too I got new for a significantly better price than even the newly lowered price on the factory units.
Cheers,
Gerry
Uhhh....$650 for the pair, new ?!?!?
What can I say ?!? It pays to have 15+ year parts connections.........Did you take mine from my work bench? name your sources!!!
Getting ready for some major work on the cars in the coming weeks/months (when I'm in town / around).
Stocking up on parts for the jobs....
Here's a comparison of new Sachs rear SLS hydro-legs for the V/C/W126 (on the left) and the W124 E500E. The 126 hydro-legs are NOS, and both pairs of legs are Made in Germany.
And a close-up of the Sachs labels on the E500E hydro-leg:
And, the factory MB rear sub-frame mounts and factory MB rear differential mount for the C/V/W126:
More parts photos coming soon.....
Stocking up on parts for the jobs....
Here's a comparison of new Sachs rear SLS hydro-legs for the V/C/W126 (on the left) and the W124 E500E. The 126 hydro-legs are NOS, and both pairs of legs are Made in Germany.
And a close-up of the Sachs labels on the E500E hydro-leg:
And, the factory MB rear sub-frame mounts and factory MB rear differential mount for the C/V/W126:
More parts photos coming soon.....
Uhhh....$650 for the pair, new ?!?!?
Nice. That'll be tough to beat, but maybe I can use it as a benchmark. Rear legs are up next on my 500E to do list. Every now and then, I'll see Ecklers run a 15% or 20% off deal on them. But not the 35% off you just got.
I think that Proverbs says a good name is better than riches.
You're a good man, Charlie Brown!
Cheers,
maw
Chuckles?
Yea, he's still around, all right.
Sleeping inside of my travel duffel bag:
Lounging in my home office:
And guarding the front door of my house at Christmas time with his younger brother, Coco (left):
I updated my emissions test results with the scores from today's Texas emissions/safety test.
The table containing all of my results is in post #28, located here.
Cheers,
Gerry
The table containing all of my results is in post #28, located here.
Cheers,
Gerry
My collection is growing....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As long as you aren't pulling those off of cars you see on the street, LOL...
Was thinking of heading down to Ft. Lauderdale to score another "400E" badge, next up ......As long as you aren't pulling those off of cars you see on the street, LOL...
There's actually a quality story and lesson lurking in these trunk badges....
Look at the nice, shiny aluminum badges from the early 123s ... the ones that say "DIESEL" and "240 D". These are nice, quality, thick aluminum badges with some significant "heft" to them in your hand. Notice the rather plain, block, rather powerful font used for the letters and numbers. It's a "no nonsense" approach that is purely functional.
The next group of badges marks a definite downgrade in quality, which was phased in sometime around 1980. This group of badges is evidenced by most all of the badges in the right-hand column (excepting the 240D, 300SDL and 560SEL badges). While still made of aluminum, and still affixed to the car's trunk by "pins" that go through small holes, they are markedly lighter in weight and thinner overall. Still decent quality, though, but not nearly the heft of the earlier badges you see. You can also see a difference in the lettering type font itself from the earlier badges. Although the font is overall a bit smaller than before, it 's also more stylized, although it retains most of the character of the earlier font style.
The third group are all of the badges on the left side, as well as the 560SEL and 300SDL badges on the right side. These badges are all made of plastic, and are affixed to the vehicle with adhesive tape embedded in the back of the letters and numbers. As you can imagine, these badges are very flimsy and the long ones (with age and previous prying off the car) will break if you just LOOK at them hard. These are the last generation of badges, from around the 1985-1986 time period, which were used through the advent of the new "letter first" nomenclature that debuted for the 1994 model year.
As you know, these "letter first" badges are also all plastic, and affixed with adhesive, although the letters are all separate and individual. This system is still in use today with modest modifications to the lettering.
In any case, not many folks may have picked up the subtleties in this single photo, about the quality and evolution of MB type lettering on the trunk badges.
Cheers,
Gerry
Look at the nice, shiny aluminum badges from the early 123s ... the ones that say "DIESEL" and "240 D". These are nice, quality, thick aluminum badges with some significant "heft" to them in your hand. Notice the rather plain, block, rather powerful font used for the letters and numbers. It's a "no nonsense" approach that is purely functional.
The next group of badges marks a definite downgrade in quality, which was phased in sometime around 1980. This group of badges is evidenced by most all of the badges in the right-hand column (excepting the 240D, 300SDL and 560SEL badges). While still made of aluminum, and still affixed to the car's trunk by "pins" that go through small holes, they are markedly lighter in weight and thinner overall. Still decent quality, though, but not nearly the heft of the earlier badges you see. You can also see a difference in the lettering type font itself from the earlier badges. Although the font is overall a bit smaller than before, it 's also more stylized, although it retains most of the character of the earlier font style.
The third group are all of the badges on the left side, as well as the 560SEL and 300SDL badges on the right side. These badges are all made of plastic, and are affixed to the vehicle with adhesive tape embedded in the back of the letters and numbers. As you can imagine, these badges are very flimsy and the long ones (with age and previous prying off the car) will break if you just LOOK at them hard. These are the last generation of badges, from around the 1985-1986 time period, which were used through the advent of the new "letter first" nomenclature that debuted for the 1994 model year.
As you know, these "letter first" badges are also all plastic, and affixed with adhesive, although the letters are all separate and individual. This system is still in use today with modest modifications to the lettering.
In any case, not many folks may have picked up the subtleties in this single photo, about the quality and evolution of MB type lettering on the trunk badges.
Cheers,
Gerry
My collection is growing....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As long as you aren't pulling those off of cars you see on the street, LOL...
I think we need a "GVZ, Behave!" in the same fashion as this one 
I would build one if I knew how...
There's actually a web site where you can "roll your own" ... LOL !!
http://www.pacprod.com/smiley_signs/
Was thinking of heading down to Ft. Lauderdale to score another "400E" badge, next up ......
Then again, I'd say it takes at least six 400E badges to equal one 500E badge, assuming comparable condition... 
Thanks!
I love the plastic "stick-on" badges! So much easier to delete...
A delightful coincidence and/or irony, at least to me:
I noticed that our recently "acquired" 928 (now known in the family as "Froggy") has a wonderfully plain rear bumper cover having only the "PORSCHE" lettering molded into it. I wondered if it was a "universal" replacement cover, or something like that. Turns out, nope! It is the original cover. Not only has it clearly not been replaced, but I recently searched the VIN and looked at the option codes, and there it is, "model designation deletion"! Additional confirmation that it was a good choice for me. Do note that the word "acquired" is in quotation marks. I don't have the money and/ or youth to justify buying and running these fright pigs. Certain cars just seem to "aquire" me at strange times...
A delightful coincidence and/or irony, at least to me:
I noticed that our recently "acquired" 928 (now known in the family as "Froggy") has a wonderfully plain rear bumper cover having only the "PORSCHE" lettering molded into it. I wondered if it was a "universal" replacement cover, or something like that. Turns out, nope! It is the original cover. Not only has it clearly not been replaced, but I recently searched the VIN and looked at the option codes, and there it is, "model designation deletion"! Additional confirmation that it was a good choice for me. Do note that the word "acquired" is in quotation marks. I don't have the money and/ or youth to justify buying and running these fright pigs. Certain cars just seem to "aquire" me at strange times...
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Six ?!?!? Uhh, NO. More like 10.
I'll go with that. The truth is, that's exactly how I feel. I was just trying to be nice...
in my best bill clinton, i feel your painI love the plastic "stick-on" badges! So much easier to delete...
A delightful coincidence and/or irony, at least to me:
I noticed that our recently "acquired" 928 (now known in the family as "Froggy") has a wonderfully plain rear bumper cover having only the "PORSCHE" lettering molded into it. I wondered if it was a "universal" replacement cover, or something like that. Turns out, nope! It is the original cover. Not only has it clearly not been replaced, but I recently searched the VIN and looked at the option codes, and there it is, "model designation deletion"! Additional confirmation that it was a good choice for me. Do note that the word "acquired" is in quotation marks. I don't have the money and/ or youth to justify buying and running these fright pigs. Certain cars just seem to "aquire" me at strange times...
Ha.. Good stuff! Have 3 yards of pea gravel and a pallet of sod delivered today. Found my pool leak, cable company pierced the sewer line from my shop to the city. I got some nice blisters to prove it, and a 1,500 bill from the plumber.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent my $175 payment for the ticket off to the Iberville Parish folks via a simple online payment last week, ahead of the end of May deadline. So at least the "ticket" won't hit my Texas driving record in a negative way, and they can pay their troopers to nail more folks....
Tonight I finished the job of replacing the fan clutch in my E500. For many years the original clutch has been not working as efficiently as it should be, and in the hot Houston summer climate, running temperatures of 105 and even 110C are not uncommon with the A/C on. I just don't like those temperatures.
Last year, I obtained a used E500E factory fan clutch with 50,000 miles on it for $400. I finally got around to replacing it. The process is documented here on the forum, so I didn't do a HOW-TO on it, but I did take a few photos during the process.
I cut down an Allen key to try to remove the fan clutch bolt without removing the radiator, but all I did was round out the head of the bolt (it was ON there!) and thus, this required the removal of the radiator. This I did tonight, and it required about 30 minutes to do. With more room in front of the fan clutch, I was able to use an 8mm Allen socket and 3/8" ratchet to get a much better "bite" into the head of the fan clutch bolt. And together with Glen's home-made fan clutch pulley holder tool (thanks for the loan, Glen!) I was able to remove it with a bit of effort. The bolt finally gave way with a "pop!" that sounded like metal cracking.
After buttoning everything up, and replacing the fan clutch bolt with a new one (one of the Houston "stealers" happened to have one in stock, and I paid list price of about $7.00 for the convenience of getting it fast), I tested the car. No coolant or ATF fluid leaks, which was great. I also replaced all four of the copper washers at the ATF cooler banjo bolts with new copper washers.
The test consisted of mixed city and freeway driving up to and including 80 MPH. I took I-45 up to the north end of Conroe, TX and back -- a round trip of about 40 miles from my house. Ambient temperatures outside ranged from 86-88F and there was a fair bit of humidity.
The hottest that I could get the car was right on the 100C mark, with the temperature generally hovering between 95 and 100C while on the freeway. This was a significant improvement over the 100-110C that the car was previously getting up to, but in my opinion it is still 5-10C too hot. I will run it with this fan clutch for a few summers to see how it goes, and then eventually will buy a new factory fan clutch of current production (Horton). The factory fan clutch that I installed, like the original one I replaced, had the notation "Fichtel & Sachs Schweinfurt" on the back of the clutch.
A few photos of the old and new clutch and old and new fan clutch bolts. You can see that the current bolts are nowhere near as nice as the originals....
Last year, I obtained a used E500E factory fan clutch with 50,000 miles on it for $400. I finally got around to replacing it. The process is documented here on the forum, so I didn't do a HOW-TO on it, but I did take a few photos during the process.
I cut down an Allen key to try to remove the fan clutch bolt without removing the radiator, but all I did was round out the head of the bolt (it was ON there!) and thus, this required the removal of the radiator. This I did tonight, and it required about 30 minutes to do. With more room in front of the fan clutch, I was able to use an 8mm Allen socket and 3/8" ratchet to get a much better "bite" into the head of the fan clutch bolt. And together with Glen's home-made fan clutch pulley holder tool (thanks for the loan, Glen!) I was able to remove it with a bit of effort. The bolt finally gave way with a "pop!" that sounded like metal cracking.
After buttoning everything up, and replacing the fan clutch bolt with a new one (one of the Houston "stealers" happened to have one in stock, and I paid list price of about $7.00 for the convenience of getting it fast), I tested the car. No coolant or ATF fluid leaks, which was great. I also replaced all four of the copper washers at the ATF cooler banjo bolts with new copper washers.
The test consisted of mixed city and freeway driving up to and including 80 MPH. I took I-45 up to the north end of Conroe, TX and back -- a round trip of about 40 miles from my house. Ambient temperatures outside ranged from 86-88F and there was a fair bit of humidity.
The hottest that I could get the car was right on the 100C mark, with the temperature generally hovering between 95 and 100C while on the freeway. This was a significant improvement over the 100-110C that the car was previously getting up to, but in my opinion it is still 5-10C too hot. I will run it with this fan clutch for a few summers to see how it goes, and then eventually will buy a new factory fan clutch of current production (Horton). The factory fan clutch that I installed, like the original one I replaced, had the notation "Fichtel & Sachs Schweinfurt" on the back of the clutch.
A few photos of the old and new clutch and old and new fan clutch bolts. You can see that the current bolts are nowhere near as nice as the originals....
