![]() | #121 | |
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They now run a garage in Byculla called Ahura Car Care opposite Mahsina hospital. They're not cheap are by no means the best out there but are very experienced. My advice if you decide to proceed is - be transparent and upfront with your requirements, timelines and standards expected from them before agreeing on a price. Expect to pay around 2 lacs for the job you have described. Sure! As you're likely aware, the master cylinder has two rubber seals in it. When one fails, a sudden loss of pressure occurs in the braking system, which is often called "brake failure". Mercedes engineered a second seal to prevent absolute failure which is why pumping the system will allow it to pressurize again, avoiding catastrophe. That is, unless the secondary seal has also degraded and fails. This does happen as, over time, rubber degrades. Coincidentally, both my W123 and W124 master cylinder primary seals failed in 2016. One was 20 years old, the other was 32 years old. To ensure the same longevity and safety, I purchased new master cylinders, rubber hoses, discs, caliper kits and pads from Mercedes Benz directly. Why? Because the company isn't allowed to sell old stock items past their shelf life. When it comes to braking rubber components, I can't stress the importance of this enough. Owners of W123, W124 and W126 cars are lucky. Mercedes still stocks nearly all their parts at prices not much more than the aftermarket. Last edited by Jaggu : 1st February 2017 at 14:37. Reason: Back to back posts, please use Multi Quote [Quote +] instead. Thanks. | |
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![]() | #122 | |
Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Delhi
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| ![]() What a restoration post....last 4 hours I am totally mesmerized reading the post and awestruck by the pictures. My father owns a 1984 240D LHD import model with Automatic Transmission. Looking for some Delhi based expert mechanic on W123s for its restoration. Although our car is in good running condition with recently clocked 1600 kms on long drive but the deterioration in exterior and interior compels me to restore it in a similar way. Kudos to BowMan for the patience and perseverance. Awesome job done. Being from Military Aviation background I do not have sufficient knowledge and tech knowhow in Automobiles but I would definitely like to restore my W123. Anyone interested to assist in that or simply provide the details of expert mechanics around Delhi? Contact details: Rohit 9652357972 Quote:
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![]() | #123 | |
BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 399
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![]() | #124 | ||
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
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I guess I can also share a few updates. Over the past months I have been driving my car and enjoying her but the AC system was giving me some trouble. On two occasions I got her pressure tested and recharged with R134 but after about 5-6 weeks the gas leaked out. My suspicion is since the system is mostly in OEM condition designed for R12 which is a heavier molecule (however the previous owner had removed the original R4 compressor to a Sanden unit) hence the refrigerant may be leaking very slowly from the rubber hoses. R134 intended hoses are nylon lined while this was something not necessary for R12 systems because it is a bigger molecule and does not leak easily. I have since procured some R12 (It was not easy) and recharged the system with it. Now let's wait and watch if the system holds. I hope this works as I do not want to avoid having the need to upgrade the complete system to R134. As a note there are some R12 alternatives made by Dupont (MO49) but it is not not available locally. Also the UV dye method of leak detection is not in use locally. I called many AC technicians but to no avail. As I had expected R12 is a more efficient refrigerant when it comes to cooling and my AC is performing cooler than it was with R134. | ||
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![]() | #125 | |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Hi Bowman, Check the receiver dryer for signs of rust, followed by the condensing radiator. The former can leak very easily due to rust. The latter due to damage during restoration/ painting, which your thread also details. I also have a factory original R12 air-conditioning unit. As this gas is illegal, it is advisable to fill R24 direct replacement instead. Unlike R134, R24 is molecularly similar to R12. Only negative is that it is more expensive per kg and harder to find. Quote:
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![]() | #126 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
I wrote about it here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do...ml#post4181626 Good luck with it, hope the problems are solved. Jeroen | |
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![]() | #127 | ||
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
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My next project is replacing the lower front grill. OEM part number is 1238880123. I will keep everyone posted on that and the Refrigerant. | ||
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![]() | #128 |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
| ![]() ![]() Just a small update today. Few weeks back it was raining hard and I had left my Mercedes uncovered for the night. Unfortunately that caught the attention of someone and he pulled away with the hood ornament. Today I finished installing my third star in as many years. Before I installed the star I have also spent 2 weekends installing surveillance cameras around my house and now two of them focus on the from where our cars are usually parked. The vandals better watch out. |
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![]() | #129 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
Touch wood, mine has never been ripped off yet. Probably just a matter of time Jeroen | |
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![]() | #130 |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
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Lucky you and I hope it stay like that. But I'm kinda fed up of this and so the surveillance system. If it happens again and I know who is doing it the guy will have it. But when I take her out and park her I have to make sure he is within my sight. Some of the busy shopping malls are favorite hunting grounds for these vandals. |
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![]() | #131 | |
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![]() | #132 | |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
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Do you have any news of that green beauty from its new owner. It would be nice if you or the new owner could still post some updates every new and then. Do let me know if you visit Gujarat. I will bring over my 123 and maybe will like to take a look? | |
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![]() | #133 |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
| ![]() Hey Friends, Just a small but comforting update to share today. Over the past few months I had realized that my W123's AC system does not hold refrigerant for too long. The R134a as leaks out in about two months time and R12 lasts almost twice, but none the less there is a significant leak that has to be fixed. I had discussed this with my AC technician who has asked me to leave the car with him in the winter months as he will have more time to devote. Last week I took the car to the workshop and left it there. I had asked hi to disconnect all components and pressure test them. After two days of leaving it at the workshop I got a call from him saying the 'evaporator' coil has a leak. That was the worse I could have expected because that would mean the dashboard will have to be removed and it is extremely difficult to source the evaporator coils. I told him let me visit the workshop tomorrow and we will decide what to do. The next day I reached the workshop to see the younger of the two Naidu brothers happily bolting a new condenser coil on my W123. I was surprised because I expected to see a ripped apart dash board so I asked him andar ka ho gaya kya (is everything done in the inside)? Andar ka to sab fine hai saar (everything inside is fine saar) came the reply. So I walked up to the senior Naidu and he told me it was the condensor that was leaking and not the evaporator. Maybe he was too tired or maybe I heard him wrong. Whatever it was I was happy to learn that we would not need to source or fabricate the evaporator. We also discussed a few more points. The previous owner had for some reason disconnected the thermostat wheel and the auxillary fan switch was also bypassed. I asked him to put everything as close to original as possible and whatever additions to be done to enhance to strengthen the system should be unobtrusive to look at. Finally after two more days I got a call from the Naidus that the car is done and I can collect her. He had installed a new high flow condenser coil, an AB pressure switch on the drier and connected the aux to it, and last but not the least he had rewired everything to the thermostat wheel inside the cabin. Now I can get rid of the ugly red switch and operate the compresor as MB had designed it to be operated. Very happy with the end result indeed. I tested the air temperature at the center vent at it does down to a cool 3.3 deg C. Now she drives as cool as she looks and the whole thing was very reasonably priced at 8,800 INR ![]() ![]() Here are some pictures. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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![]() | #134 |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gandhinagar
Posts: 239
Thanked: 567 Times
| ![]() Painting is always so much fun! Finished painting some interior trim today on my 84 W123. So satisfying and what better way to paint a W123 than with a SataJet Model B. Leaving everyone with some pictures. I hope you all enjoy. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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![]() | #135 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pune
Posts: 70
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| ![]() Is there a group on whatsapp for Mercedes owners & enthusiast in India, Which could help communicate with each other faster. Bowman hope I am not hijacking your post. |
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