What to check before trying to start a 500E

[Bashterm]

I'm hopefully going to check out a 500E that has been sitting a while this weekend. I don't get the vibe from the seller that they really know what they have, as they told me it's a 300, but it's got the 500E body styling.

I'll bring my standard kit I bring when looking at an older Benz (coolant, oil, gas, spare battery, toolbox). Anything specific I should check before I try and turn over the engine in this car? I'm used to Benz diesels, which my understanding is are much more forgiving of abuse than the m119 in these cars. I'd hate to ruin an engine thats been sitting a while simply because I don't know what I'm looking for.

Thanks,

bashterm

 

[daantjie]

You might have to clarify what you mean by "a while". Are we taking weeks, months, years..?

 

[Bashterm]

From his description, 4 years.

 

[IslandMon]

Aside from checking all the fluids, I would open up the airbox and make sure that no rodents have crawled in there and made nests.

 

[500AMM]

The cylinders are pretty dried out so I would take out the plugs, add some drops of engine oil via a tiny plastic hose on the upper circumference on the pistons, wait some miniutes to let the oil spread around the upper piston rings, run it on the starter for some seconds and watch the oil pressure increase, install the plugs and fire it up. People normally don't do this, but hindsight doesn't cure snapped piston rings.

 

[gsxr]

4 years inside or outside? Dry or humid environment? Was it running normally when parked? My biggest concern would be stale fuel and/or seized fuel pumps.

All this may not matter, if it's a real 036 for 030 money, pay them quick and worry about starting it at home. Practice your poker face before arriving.

 

[TerryA]

I guess we will see when he takes a closer look. Mine sat for close to 4 years but I did start it occasionally and had no problems w/ old fuel. Since @Bashterm is in LA (dry climate) maybe the car is also.

 

[ace10]

Check for this

ALWAYS check for this

 

[dionphaneuf]

Agreed w @gsxr , sounds like you could have a deal here depending on cost/mileage/rust.

 

[Bashterm]

Thanks for the replies all. I'll take a look and let the forum know how it goes. I'll try and get it home before I start it up, so I can change all the fluids, pull apart the airbox, and get some oil on the piston rings as @500AMM suggests.

Definitely going to need a poker face for this one .

 

[500AMM]

Snapping piston rings do rarely happen, very rarely, but the cylinders dries up over time leaving just a minimum of lubrication and the engine has to run before the oil starts circulating. If it has been some condensation inside the cylinders the piston rings may have start seizing due to rust formations. Oil on a spray can would make it simpler, but that's a chemical mix to make it sprayable giving low lubrication properties. So the better is adding some drops of proper oil to avoid any potential risk during the very first seconds when it is fired up.

 

[JC220]

Thanks for the replies all. I'll take a look and let the forum know how it goes. I'll try and get it home before I start it up, so I can change all the fluids, pull apart the airbox, and get some oil on the piston rings as @500AMM suggests.

Definitely going to need a poker face for this one .

@Bashterm when do you intend to view this car for sale? We nnneeeeeeeeedd to know does the chassis no begin with 124036 if so break their arm off!!

 

[gsxr]

Thanks for the replies all. I'll take a look and let the forum know how it goes. I'll try and get it home before I start it up, so I can change all the fluids, pull apart the airbox, and get some oil on the piston rings as @500AMM suggests.

Definitely going to need a poker face for this one .

Any update on this? Was it a 500E, and if so, did you buy it?

 

[Bashterm]

It turned out to be a 400E with a bad motor. Wound up passing, but am helping a buddy fix up a 400E he got at an auction.