W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

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neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Hello Russ,

Thanks for the heads up. i'll try having a good look around and spraying some WD ! i like to think it's a simple repair but i'm not at all mechanically clued up ! I am a wood butcher so metal and mechanics is outside my comfort zone but i might be able to wrap tape around hoses ! if i can find the hoses !!!

A friend on here has given me much guidance and assistance (in fact everyone has) and i will book an appointment with his mechanic very soon. i'm sure its simple and sure he'll cure her. (fingers crossed)

Neil.

Russ280
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Good luck, the 280 is a great engine when running properly. Shame about the fuel consumption but don't listen to the nay Sayers. It's way better than the 5 cylinder diesel of the same era.
When I bought mine it wouldn't pull you out of bed. 50mph max so I got a 2 owner G Wagen for £650. 30 minutes after getting it home I'd reconnected a vacuum hose and it as fixed. I then sold the stainless steel(original mb) bling off it for £300. Ah the good old days! It was a risk I guess. I convinced the seller that I was doing him a favour.

When I got rid of it I did a straight swap for a 7yr old Shogun which I sold on 2 weeks later, weird.

I still miss the basic honesty of the 460 at times.

 

 

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Cheers Russ,

Yep I have always favoured petrol engines over diesel (probably always will) people always say that must be thirsty why don't you get a diesel ? phh dirty agricultural fuel I say !

Your story bears resemblance to the "I bought it a boot fair for 50p story" Something which never happens to me. Sadly i'm the one who pays good money for a bag of old spanners. I don't wanna be caught out like that with this G

I am hoping it's all simple stuff like you mentioned and a good mechanic will put her right and set me on my way to trouble free fun motoring ! Fingers crossed,

Neil.

 

Arnie
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

You'll need to build a good relationship with the parts dept of your local Mercedes dealer. mention that you are a Club member and you'll start with at least 10% discount. For many service items (brakes, oil filters, fluids etc) you can get better prices at places like Euro Car Parts. But, when you start looking for auto gearbox oil filters, pan gaskets, radiator caps, vacuum valves and parts, you'll need to rely on your dealer.

As mentioned, you'll need to find a trusted mechanic to carry out the basic servicing (approx part costs in brackets)

  • Change engine oil ( about £60 for semi synthetic)
  • Oil filter (about £10)
  • auto gearbox oil and gearbox oil filter and pan gasket, (about £80)
  • Change coolant (about £25)
  • Replace radiator cap (about £15)
  • Renew power-steering fluid (ATF)
  • Replace drive belts (about £40)
  • Renew brake fluid ( 1 litre DOT 4 fluid)
  • Renew diff lock fluid (as above)
  • Replace spark-plugs (about £30)
  • Replace ignition leads, if they look old (about £100)
  • Replace distributor cap and rotor (about £35)
  • Check vacuum hoses
  • Check fuse for auto gearbox kickdown switch
  • Check auto gearbox kickdown solenoid valve
  • Check throttle linkages, lubricate and adjust.
  • Renew front and rear differential oils (about £35)
  • Renew transfer case oil (about £30)
  • Grease prop shaft nipples (3 x 2)

Most of these are DIY-able, with the help of a service manual, and can be accomplished in one weekend.

 

 

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Cheers Arnie !

I have just made contact with a recommended mechanic and he is going to look her over and report back with diagnosis and cure.

I think I would like to have that entire list above done just for peace of mind. But the ignition are new ! and the distributor cap is new so someone has been having ago at fixing her up !

I am having a plastic tank kit fitted (she currently wears a diesel tank ! God only knows !!!) and then I need a new SS exhaust as the current one appears to be fashioned from an old van or something ! Slowly i'll get her sorted.

I will report back as progress develops,

Cheers,

neil.

 

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Hi Neil

I have had My 280GE since July Last year.... when i got her there were a few small issues, and general tidying up needed... i have a basic understanding of how things work... i'm a self taught home mechanic and i have done a lots of different bits n bobs to my cars over the years in relation to general servicing and repairs... this is my first G..and i have completed a full service on the car as it was unclear when the last time it had one. I also had some electrical gremlins relating to the central locking and radio,clock,reversing lights,rear fog light, the under-bonnet insulation was sagging...the grille i had re powder coated..and upgraded to later clear type indicators and had the windows professionally tinted..etc...  my car is 25 years old and although its well made... things always wear out or need attention so i  view my G as a work in progress...

so far i personally have

done a full service ,(on my drive)

including new HT Leads, spark plugs Distributor cap and rotor arm

new v belts and adjuster bolt ( old one was toothless!)

replaced large vacuum pipe between brake servo and injection system including new inline valve

(the cause of my running issues)

Engine oil and filter , air filter

Gearbox oil

transmission oil

renewed diff oil front and rear (new plugs)

greased prop shafts

repaired headlamp washer jets (leaking)

Replaced one of the front fog lamps (incorrect one fitted)

carpets shampoo'd

undersealed fuel tank (precaution)

 valve clearances adjusted by Paul at P&R Autos (noisy tappetts) who also diagnosed my poor running issues and gave it a tune up...
i renewed :

thermo time switch, 5 vacuum pipes.. (whilst looking for poor running issues)
soundproof coat under bonnet, rear floor/arches
New starter Solenoid (old one was playing up), new Positive lead on battery,clean all contacts on starter system,
new door seals (old ones perished)

windscreen replaced by AA (stone chips)

disconnected alarm system (was half disconnected anyway)

replaced rotary light switch (cause of my dodgy rear fog lights not working)

repaired earth to central locking system.. which fixed clock and stereo

replaced rear speakers ( old ones ripped)

replaced all badges with new ones (faded and scuffed)

replaced rear door check strap (busted)

repaired broken connector in reversing lights wiring ( took me a while and learned to read wiring diagrams at the same time!)

repaired (replaced) pipe between rear door and body

All at once it sounds like a lot.... at times ive been disheartened and frustrated with things.... now its running great... and i love it....  make a list of things you need to do and cross them off one by one.... people on here will guide you.. as will I when i can... most cars have similar issues so there will always be someone on here who can help... i would invest in a good set of tools... and in the members section there are some manuals wiring diagrams etc to refer to... the 460 is quite a basic car to work on so you should be able to service it yourself...take your time... and use your mobile to photograph bits before you take them off so they go back on the same way..

most of all... dont loose heart... the 280GE is a lovely little car and although i'd love a V8 throbbing away under the bonnet... the standard car is just fine for my needs at the moment... I was lucky enough to buy a car that had been wax-oiled from new...so no rust...only had 3 pervious owners and 100k miles..and was used mainly on road... it looked a bit sorry for itself when i bought it...but i have breathed a little bit of life back into it now....and enjoy the attention it gets everywhere i go....

 

If i can help you in any way with advice or identifying bits for you ...feel free to ask...

 

regards

 

John

 

 

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Hi John,

You have done well findng your way round your little truck !

Thank you for helping me. I have all of the issues you mention but also my car is a 3 owner vehicle ! I am the third ! It shows 40k on the clock and the service book is present and stamped for the begining of its life. It had a new fitted by Benz at 70k and the clock was not wound back so it is believed that the current engine has covered only 70k (but cannot be verified with any paperwork)

I have the names of the 2 previous keepers and was going to try to write to them and ask their story of her time with them. I believe the second owner was a vet in the midlands.

The central locking does not work on mine either but the key (I have only one silva key) does not even turn it so I wonder if the barrel has been changed and the key lost ? Dunno, but it is a bit anoying having to lean over through passenger door to do central locking then close passenger door and lock that ! Tedious.

Adrian has fixed me up with a new plastic tank kit so I have booked her in with a specialist to complete the change over (she is currently wearing a diesel tank) and offer me the diagnosis regarding the lack of kick down and complete lack of power.

I know she's heavy and don't expect a rocket ship but a 2.8petrol with 150bhp should move !

I have reported the other issues and they are gonna check her out and report back with solutions. hopefully she'll live on !

i will stay in touch and keep you updated with progress.

thank you,

Neil.

 

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

No Worries

Lack of power can be caused by several things... as was the poor running issues i had... you will have to work your way through them one by one... starting with the least expensive the vacuum pipes.. there are two that go into the side of the distributor body...(from the left hand side of the engine)..links to the cold start valve and also a pipe to the EGR valve on the manifold ( shaped like a hat) with a red pipe and deal with advance and retard....one of mine had come off, replacing it helped... mine was a little bit stuttery just off idle... this was the leak in the vacuum pipe from the brake servo...it goes up the back of the block and round to the injection system... my leak was causing a 'too lean' mixture... it was found when Paul from P&R sprayed brake cleaner at various points on the engine (brake cleaner contains alcohol) and when he found the leak it picked up and revved...  the pipe was actually a rubber one (incorrect) i ordered a new one from MB main dealer only £7 ! along with a new one way inline valve which is the angled plug sticking out of the brake servo... after Paul tuned it... and the difference was amazing... a vacuum pipe goes from the fuel injection manifold (underneath) down to the gearbox (thin clear pipe) and deals with the gear changes..

some or all of these things could be an issue...

happy hunting!!

 

John

 


 

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

John,

I just done some hunting (with your guidance) I have attached photo's and I see 4 issues already. (Maybe minor but issues non the less)

1 = The airbox has a fixing missing.

2 = the throttle linkage (which is pretty elaborate) has much slack and appears a plastic part is perished and snapped with a split pin missing !

3 = 1 of the hoses coming into the distributor is made up from a flexi rubber pipe (looks a bit rot) with the plastic pipe pushed into the bottom.

4 = have a look i'm quite sure 4 is there.

But in general she's had quite a bit done. new distributor and cables by the look of it. new monroe shocks by the look of it. new belts by the look of it. dunno what else but a few bits look new.

The manifold is pugged up with weld and appears shot ! but the entire pipe as i've mentioned before has been fashioned from a lorry or something so looks like the new pipe I need will need include all new manifolds !!!

She's a mission huh ?

Getting there though and she won't beat me i'll make her whoosh again !!! soon !!! (I hope)

Neil.

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

2. Ah yes I forgot to mention the throttle linkage. This also connects to the auto box (I think anyway, it's maybe 7 years ago that I parted company with my 280). So if this is not adjusted properly it will affect performance.
3. The rubber hose is correct but as you point out it looks perished. This is what I was referring to when I said as a process of elimination you can seal these with electrical tape. You will need to replace the all of them though. Not big money.

 

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Hello Russ,

Yep that throttle linkage needs looking at for sure ! It is flopping about like a turd in a shirtsleeve !

Yeah that little rubber pipe looks like it would benefit from being renewed and also there was another one attached to a round silver part on the left side of the engine which did seem to be fully pushed on so i've pushed it firmer home now. but maybe I just get all hoses replaced for peace of mind and longevity (it will take the doubt and worry away from my poor little obsessive mind)

hang in there buddy the quest is on !

neil.

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Russ,

Whats the large pipe on the left of the engine ? Mine's got a shed load of tin foil or something wrapped round it ! I'm quite sure that didn't ought be there ? perhaps that pipe is perished n' all and it's someones crude attempt of sealing it up ?

Neil.

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Hi Neil

the throttle linkage definitely needs attention... the missing bits are important... mine perished also and someone made one out of wood!  see pic.....MB do the part...Ive not got round to changing mine as its currently working ok... but i intend to    it as someone rightly said connects to your autobox im not sure how but my belief is it gives throttle position for your auto gears...

the peice in the pic with red background is linkage piece

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

neilmarton wrote:

Russ,

Whats the large pipe on the left of the engine ? Mine's got a shed load of tin foil or something wrapped round it ! I'm quite sure that didn't ought be there ? perhaps that pipe is perished n' all and it's someones crude attempt of sealing it up ?

Neil.

 

As you have Aircon i suspect someone has cobbled together a heat shield. that pipe looks like it comes out of the aircon...compressor... does the aircon work?

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

these are the before and after pictures of my large servo to injection manifold vacuum pipe that was replace after poor running... im not saying yours is leaking but once you have the throttle linkage fixed and the vacuum pipe near your distributor cap replaced... check it as a matter of course... someone put a rubber pipe on mine with jubilee clips... the black shiny pipe is the correct one... it looks yellow in your pics... use the correct MB vacuum pipes.... dont use ordinary rubber ones... the bore has to be right... the hard plastic ones with rubber slip overs are the right ones...

 

John

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

yes I do have the diavia aircon mounted below centre console. Yes it works ! well it blows cold but not sure if it gets hot. has just 2 knobs, left controls flow speed (Blower) right controls temperature . But turned up to heat i'm not sure if it gets hot. after a long journey the entire car can feel hot anyway so the cold function is nice to have. The big fan in front of the radiator is apparently the aircon also but that doesn't seem to rotate.

So it is there and it does work. BUT it ain't quite right (i don't think)

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Oh bugger it's got dark now and i'm in my pants ! (yeah maybe to much info huh)

I will check this pipe out in the morning and report back. I have to say I do not think mine looks as neat as your finished new one !

Also john yes that plastic part with the ball shaped centre is missing on mine and there is loads a slack ! I need to sort that out for sure !

Glad I bumped into you buddy as things are now seeming much simpler ! (I was scared to death that she was cream crackered and would cost me the earth to mend !)

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

the pipe on mine at present is a clear plastic semi rigid one and it's not sleeved. I suspect also the bore is to large. I defo need the correct pipes putting back in the correct places and the correct parts within the throttle linkage.

This progress gents hold onto your hats she'll be off like a rat up a drain pipe in no time ! (I have got my second wind and now i'm feeling optomistic)

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

that's the spirit mate....  take your time... speak to Gav for parts if you don't have a friendly local MB parts dept....  fix what looks obvious.... the vacuum parts and throttle linkage are the cheapest bits... like someone said...even a bit of temporary tape on a leaking vacuum or bake cleaner sprayed at it... will make a difference to a running engine tickover speed... there will probably be a few parts  that need fixing the difference will be apparent straight away...

as time goes by you will become familiar with more and more bits of your car and how they work....

good luck mate....

John

 

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

If you are replacing the fuel tank, make sure to replace all rubber fuel hoses, as they perish with age. This goes goes for the ones in the engine bay, too. With Diesel you can take a chance but with petrol, you can't afford to.

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

ChrisG wrote:
If you give it full throttle from a standing start what revs does it reach before changing up? Have you fitted monster truck tyres? And had you checked the coolant level before the trip that caused bubbling from the radiator cap?

She's changing up at about 2000rpm (which is obviously too soon. I would have thought 3000-4000 under normal driving with about 5000 if you was flat to the floor racing off the lights style ?)

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Cheers Arnie,

She is booked in with a recommended mechanic and I am compiling a list as we speak :-

Replace fuel tank (which is currently a diesel tank) with new plastic tank kit (supplied by Adrian)

Replace all fuel lines (precationary measure for peace of mind)

Replace all vacuum pipes (for genuine benz) mine are currently all odd and some appear perished. (maybe 1 wat valves + t's)

Replace throttle linkage (mine has a broken part (bushing) and is slopping around like a turd in a shirt sleeve)

Check valve clearances.

New fuel injectors and change filter.

New rotor arm (Maybe ?)

Adjust the timing.

New cap/lid to radiator.

Change auto box fluid and filter.

That will hopefully get her back to health before embarking upon other issues like electrics and cosmetics. Also a new exhaust system but that will need wait until I get her engine purring ! Looking in at the menifolds last night I noticed great big blobs of weld in the junctions of the manifold so think i need replace these also. It's gonna be an expenisve job but should then last for rest of my life.

lots to do but again I will keep all you helpful gents updated with her progress.

Broom broom, keep on trucking !

Neil.

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Morning Neil... I took some more pics of my engine for you to compare yours with.. although i haven't got Air con... the first picture is the cold start valve.. which connects to the EGR valve with a red vacuum pipe(heat resistant) the other end goes onto the cold start valve on the block..and comming out of it a vacuum pipe which goes around the front of the engine to the side of the fuel injection intake (pic 2 and3) along with a shorter vacuum pipe from the distributor body.

The larger vacuum pipe going from the brake servo pic 4 to the side of the intake manifold pic 5 is thicker and is designed to create vacuum in the brake servo using engine vacuum, and is controlled by a one way valve on the servo itself that the pipe is attached to preventing the pressure on the brake pedal affecting engine performance. (yours is not wrong, according to my mechanic they were clear plastic origionally...mine is a new one and they have updated it making it solid plastic.

picture 6 the small thin sleeved pip into clear solid plastic pipe..is the vacuum pipe that goes to your gearbox... trace it al the way under the car and you will be able to see if its perished.

these are the vacuum pipes that can be easily acessed...there are more under the intake manifold that you can see with a inspection mirror... mine were ok so i left them alone... v difficult to get at with the injection system in place.

also check the tightness of the jubilee clips that connect the big intake pipe from the air filter to the intake system...air leaking in here would be bad too... check the concertina connector has no tears in either.

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Sounds good. My only comment would be that changing all the injectors maybe premature and costly. It's pretty simple to check their operation. Remove one at a time (but leave connected to the fuel line) put it in a bottle and start the engine. It should be a continuation FINE mist. Any dribbling or continuous squirting equals a duff injector.
Of course this isn't without risk. Fine mist petrol next to high voltage!!!

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

re the throttle linkage... its very complicated with lots of ball joints due to the original car being Left hand drive (was simpler design) and connects to gearbox as well as distributor and fuel injection system....one rod goes behind the back of the block...one goes over the top... and one connecting rod goes down behind the brake master cyclinder to the throttle pedal... there is another that runs parallel to the engine on the intake side i have photographed all of the bits of mine for you... pay particular attention to the parallel connections next to the distributor...they can be dislodged easily and will affect performance.pic 1

 

the fact one of the connectors on yours is missing a split pin...will affect the interconnected movements and consequently performance....

 

on that subject...the G will change up quite quickly unless you keep your foot planted... but should kick down....  its going to likely be either the throttle linkage issue or vacuum...

 

simplest to fix at home...

from memory the small bore vacuum pipe comes by the mtr..and the sleeves are ordered as either angled or straight...(a few quid each)  the larger bore pipe (brake servo) was special order by the mtr (£3.50per)

 

hope this helps you identify the parts you need to look at first.

 

regards

 

John

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

John,

In picture 3 your linkage has a brownish red plastic ball between the metal compenents. Mine is persihed and has broken away. this is the piece which is missing the split pin. Obviously that needs replacing staraight away (probably be a good help) then the rest of the linkage will need chacking through as it has many area's of slack.

Then onto the vacuum pipes. Mine appear to be fashioned from what ever and whichever tube the previous custodian could find in the shed. Need new correct benz ones everywhere so allow me to rest at night !

You are right though buddy this stuff does all simple enough if pointed out and guidance like yours is offered.

Thank you !

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

yes the same linkage on my G has worn out too....that brownish ball is white plastic!...am ordering one Tuesday.. had forgotten mine till you mentioned yours!! 

 

the bore of the vacuum pipes is crucial...i know cos i tried non standard ones first .. it mucked up the mixture!

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Mate at least I helped you a tiny bit ! (reminding you of that dodgy plastic piece)

makes a change huh.

Yes I will definately obtain the genuine Benz vacuum pipes it is clear from the pictures that they are much better quality and look correct. mine are atrocious)

Neil.

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

John,

I just noticed a little tinfoil blanket to the rear of your battery tray. May i ask wht it is ?

My battery tray was a little bit rotten and crudded up (the battery wasn't even clamped down) so I had a stainless steel tray made to line it with.

The reason I did this is that I noticed a damp carpet in the passenger footwell and thought that water was seeping through the battery tray. BUT i had this done and yet still water is seeping. (Not bucket loads just subtle dampness after a night of rain !)

I did also suspect it was spraying up in through the inner wheel arch skins which had some holes at the rear so I had that all patched up with sheet steel and welded. But I still got damp in my passenger footwell.

WHY ?

Neil.

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

I have had a similar issue.... not relating to the battery tray which was solid.( this can be an issue on many cars) on mine.that is a spare piece of sound deadening material i had left over after doing my under bonnet..

there are two places that are a common problem... the wiper spindles... over time they get loose and leak inside behind the dashboard..there is a repair kit you can buy... or the fiber washers might be letting water in if they are leaking but the spindles are not worn.... as a short term measure fill the spindle caps with vaseline..this is a temporary measure... i haven't done mine yet... i also suspected the windscreen rubber was leaking after a replacement windscreen... so i sealed under the rubber with exterior quality frame sealant as a second barrier.... then left carpets to dry... i also replaced my door seals as they had perished...water can get in there too.... seems to have worked... also a leaking matrix in the heater can cause water to flood into t your footwell.... have you been filling the rad more than often?

 

good luck.

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

You and I have got a lot in common here John !

Luckily my old bus has got new door seals everywhere. The wiper spindles don't appear to be leaking but i will check. my suspicions are that it is coming from the back of the engine bay somehow. hence the new battery tray liner and sealing of the inner arches. All good things to get done I suppose (better sooner than later) but still i have that poxy water ingress angry

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

neilmarton wrote:

You and I have got a lot in common here John !

Luckily my old bus has got new door seals everywhere. The wiper spindles don't appear to be leaking but i will check. my suspicions are that it is coming from the back of the engine bay somehow. hence the new battery tray liner and sealing of the inner arches. All good things to get done I suppose (better sooner than later) but still i have that poxy water ingress angry

Whilst we are talking about seals, Mine also has new window seals all round. nice job but the drivers one rises up with the window when you wind it up n' down. Do these need fixing in postion with a bit of sticky poo or something ?

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

if you remove the glove box (4 screws)... you will be able to see the back of the wiper spindles... if it has been leaking there will be water marks coming from it.... also is it leaking into both foot wells... the battery tray can leak as it sits inside the car bulkhead....

see how high the dampness  goes up... also check the air-con unit isn't leaking...

im not sure what to do about the window seal mate... someone else on here may know....

all our cars have similar quirks.... ive been reading posts on here for 4+ years... and learning as i go...

 

good luck... search everywhere for the leak.... it leads to rust!!

 

 

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

check the drain hole in the air intake under the bonnet in the middle.... can block with leaves etc... big square box with a seal around the top on the firewall...

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

My first suspicion was aircon ! (this still remains a suspicion but I cannot see anywhere where it would be leaking)

My second was the air intake (I can tell you a story about a porsche cayenne which dumped litres into passenger footwell once all due to a blocked drain)

But I really am struggling to see where it is coming from. I will remove the glovebox and check the wiper spindles. Incidentally my wipers don't work i'm told this is due to the solenoid ? apparently simple fix but tricky to get to as it's located up behind the fuses.

YES ! Rust !!! It scares the shit out of me. I know she has had rust issues previously and evedence is there but I wish to now stop all of that nasty disease. (If I can)

Gotta find that leak mate it's keeping me awake.

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

First thing to check with non working wipers.... fuse, wires going into the wiper motor in engine bay.. the relay deals with the intermittent wipe and parking of wipers  i think i have pictures of when i changed mine, after you drop the fusebox out... its high up under the dash..  ill look later.. most common issues are checking earthing points.. block connectors... theres a bunch of them next to the battery tray... clean em up..

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

front wiper relay....  remove 3 scews that hold cover panel in....   then two more that release the fusebox... it hangs down on two hooks... the relay is the one im pointing at for front wipers....   i had to change mine.....  bought replacement from Starpartz.com... cheaper than MB. same identical part in MB box.

 

before you change it though....check all connections... normally loose connection is the cause..

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Shit the bed dude !

Just been out there doing so investigations. I have undone the cover panel and dropped the fuse box out. Whilst mine is fundamentally the same as yours mine is in a buggers mess !!!

It wants some bolognese on it !!!

I think that the mahoosive bundle of surplus wire is speaker cable (vintage blaupunkt 4x4 speakers) but it is all coiled up and tied with cable ties which makes access very restrictive. I didn't dare begin the mission of untangling the mess when darkness is looming upon us.

I did wiggle the relay but cannot see in there properly to make out any connections let alone check to see if they are correct.

The wipers did once come back to life after wiggling the fuse. They are all the original fuses by the look of it. (either that or restoration man has bought them off Noah !)

I'm no expert buddy but I think I need place an order with star parts ?

Oh nuts I also discovered whilst scrambling about in the footwell that the drivers side exhibits some damp also !!!

Keep on trucking huh yes

John757
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

sounds like a loose connection rather than a relay...

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

i'm gonna have to go back in John !

And I simply must find that naughty leak ! It's gonna eat the beast (I'm frightened)

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

The G was built to wade through water... your carpets will smell if you leave the leak... no need to fret... rust can be treated... takes months to take hold... my bet would be the wiper spindles ...a common problem on all G's .... a hairdryer will dry her out...lift the carpets and let it dry out.... the tip with Vaseline under the spindle caps will short term solve your issue... if that doesn't work...you know you have eliminated the spindles..and can investigate elsewhere.... did you say you had a new battery tray? check its sealed all the way round the edges...best to whip the battery out for that... this is also a G issue... lots of tiny issues.... nothing to worry about.... John

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Neil

 

I bought this book together with the multimeter...and its the best tools i have ever used.... the book is designed for beginners...it explains how to test for faults on any car...highly recommended by me (bought from Amazon)  

the Mutimeter is an excellent bit of kit...as a result of using both...have got to the bottom of most of my electrical issues....

 

John

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

hello John,

Yep i'm gonna check out the wiper spindles now ! (while the sun is in my favour) yes there is a musty smell. ( I tell everyone it's vintage) Like an old book !

I did have a battery tray made but it is just a secondary tray sat within the original. the original as you said passes through the bulkhead and removing and replacing would have been major ! The back of it and welded seam into bulkhead (some call this the firewall I believe) appears sound and sealed. so I had a stainless steel tray made up with new mounts to hold the battery still (the old rods has corroded and a nut could not be tightened on the z bar to hold it in place.

It can now !

But I am not sure if this is where the water is coming from. I'm gonna check the spindles now. How do I get the glove compartment out ? undone the 4 screws (the plastic flange was broken in this area so I need some sticky poo now) but it appears the bottom flange is somehow attached to the top edge of the actual console. I don't fancy removing the entire dash ?

Neil.

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

on mine you can pull the hinge rods out with some needle nose pliers... the hinge is holding it in... you might be able to pull the top half out a little bit and lift the hinge over the bottom half....if not...lay in the footwell... and shine a torch up under the dash.... you may be able to see spindles with connecting arms without taking the glovebox out (I've had mine out several times)

re the battery ... in your pic the seal along the top of the bulkhead appears perished... this is how the water gets into the battery tray in the first place... if you have had a new tray placed over the old one water can still find its way in around  and under.... so replacing the seal will keep it out altogether....

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Right John,

I cannot seem to get that glove box out. yes the top will shift about a bit but the bottom seems locked flange to flange. could well be the hinge but I cannot see where to remove the pin from. I will crawl around in a moment.

The seal, Do you mean the long black rubber one along the width of the engine bay at the back of the bonnet ? In reality it does not appear perished but now you mention it maybe worth replacing as a process of elimination ? I am still gonna investigate the wiper spindles properly !

During my Recci I just discovered another throttle linkage problem ! Photo's attached. there is a white plastic circle which has a ball joint in the centre. this sits at the back of the linkage bar and obviously offers stability. It is rotten as a pear buddy ! the rubber mount is perished and hard. I have managed to re-seat it but she needs a new one !

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Yes the long rubber seal appears to be a bit deformed in the middle... 

re throttle linkage in pic..... you could pack it with light grease as a short term measure... was it dislodged... that could be as a result of the other linkage being shot....

 

this is my linkage ...

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Yes John it was dislodged ! The gromet and ball joint were sat behind the rubber bushing ! this will have caused a pulling stress upon the other plastic ball and has snapped it. (not something that happened in a flash but more the passage of time and neglect I would say)

But I have managed to re-seat it within the rubber bushing and will pack with grease until a component can be obtained and refitted !

Still can't get that glove box out and now the princess if bullying me into mowing the grass !!! NUTS !

I'll be back.

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Yes John it was dislodged ! The gromet and ball joint were sat behind the rubber bushing ! this will have caused a pulling stress upon the other plastic ball and has snapped it. (not something that happened in a flash but more the passage of time and neglect I would say)

But I have managed to re-seat it within the rubber bushing and will pack with grease until a component can be obtained and refitted !

Still can't get that glove box out and now the princess if bullying me into mowing the grass !!! NUTS !

I'll be back.

neilmarton
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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

John,

Whilst we have spent the best part discussing issues I do not wish to let anyone think that these little trucks are only ever trouble.

Whilst an acquired taste (marmite car) I do honestly believe my little gurl is pretty

The wife doesn't agree but her nephew of some 19years came round yesterday and commented "A G ! Well SICK !!! which I believe is down wid da kids talk for a nice piece of kit !

Love her or hate her here she is :-

 

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Re: W460 / 280GE petrol auto, Performance figures ?

Yes I will continue to post the bad bits !

I will also update all with the progress. She is booked in for a new plastic tank, fuel pump, and all fuel lines. Then replacement of all vacuum tubes and throttle linkage.

I live in hope that this will make her well again (performance wise at least) Next step SS exhaust and a bit of make up (light grilles all round and black powder coated wheels with new boots)

During this period the quest to rid her of that leak and set her free from corrosion also commences.

Once done she'll be "SICK" ! (or I will ? or the bank manager ? or all of us ? But she's worth it huh ?)

neil.