This group provides a forum for owners and operators of diesel powered motorhomes and 5th wheel tractors to discuss mechanical issues, regulatory issues (US, Canada), ownership, insurance, campground accommodations, trip reports/suggestions, and other topics relevant to large RVs and the people who drive them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18910560
Back in 1989, as the Berlin Wall fell, Gunther Holtorf and his wife Christine set out on what was meant to be an 18-month tour of Africa in their Mercedes Benz G Wagen. Now, with more than 800,000km (500,000 miles) on the clock, Gunther is still going.
I have reused the reservoirs on several cars (not mercedes though). You should be able to wipe out most of it. Shake it up and dump it. Add clean fluid, shake and dump
Carl
...and the fluid DOES look nasty.
Guess I'll order a new reservior to go with the new m.c.
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, diyernh <diyernh@...> wrote:
>
> One of my "oooohhhh" moments was when I first had a failed master
> cylinder. I spent all sorts of time checking everything else. When I
> finally made it back to the master cylinder for replacement, I found
> black stuff floating in the reservoir. I believe it was the seals
> degrading and flaking off into the fluid.
>
> I hadn't really looked at the fluid. Brake fluid is quite clear. It's
> a pretty good telltale sign that the master cylinder is bad if it's
> black or murky.
>
> Carl
>
>
> On 9/8/2012 7:29 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> >
> >
> > it does, but becomes sponge like, and pretty much goes to the floor..
> >
> > I'm assuming failed master cylinder-- but thought it odd that I have a
> > firm pedal when the engine is off-- only to go to mush when it's running.
> >
> > ..and if I have to pull the master cylinder-- how do I get the
> > reservior off the top of it??
> >
> > ...
> > --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>, Stan George <ssgkag@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > On 9/8/2012 3:34 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> > > > k, I've noticed the pedal has gone soft (after starting the engine)
> > > > it's like a rock, and correct "height" with the engine off..
> > >
> > >
> > > Put your foot on the brake pedal and start the car (assuming there
> > is no
> > > vacuum in the system). You should feel the brake pedal sink if the
> > > vacuum booster is operating properly.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Stan George Portland <<
> > >
> >
> >
>
...and the fluid DOES look nasty.
Guess I'll order a new reservior to go with the new m.c.
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, diyernh <diyernh@...> wrote:
>
> One of my "oooohhhh" moments was when I first had a failed master
> cylinder. I spent all sorts of time checking everything else. When I
> finally made it back to the master cylinder for replacement, I found
> black stuff floating in the reservoir. I believe it was the seals
> degrading and flaking off into the fluid.
>
> I hadn't really looked at the fluid. Brake fluid is quite clear. It's
> a pretty good telltale sign that the master cylinder is bad if it's
> black or murky.
>
> Carl
>
>
> On 9/8/2012 7:29 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> >
> >
> > it does, but becomes sponge like, and pretty much goes to the floor..
> >
> > I'm assuming failed master cylinder-- but thought it odd that I have a
> > firm pedal when the engine is off-- only to go to mush when it's running.
> >
> > ..and if I have to pull the master cylinder-- how do I get the
> > reservior off the top of it??
> >
> > ...
> > --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>, Stan George <ssgkag@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > On 9/8/2012 3:34 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> > > > k, I've noticed the pedal has gone soft (after starting the engine)
> > > > it's like a rock, and correct "height" with the engine off..
> > >
> > >
> > > Put your foot on the brake pedal and start the car (assuming there
> > is no
> > > vacuum in the system). You should feel the brake pedal sink if the
> > > vacuum booster is operating properly.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Stan George Portland <<
> > >
> >
> >
>
One of my "oooohhhh" moments was when I first had a failed master cylinder. I spent all sorts of time checking everything else. When I finally made it back to the master cylinder for replacement, I found black stuff floating in the reservoir. I believe it was the seals degrading and flaking off into the fluid.
I hadn't really looked at the fluid. Brake fluid is quite clear. It's a pretty good telltale sign that the master cylinder is bad if it's black or murky.
Carl
On 9/8/2012 7:29 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
it does, but becomes sponge like, and pretty much goes to the floor..
I'm assuming failed master cylinder-- but thought it odd that I have a firm pedal when the engine is off-- only to go to mush when it's running.
..and if I have to pull the master cylinder-- how do I get the reservior off the top of it??
...
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Stan George <ssgkag@...> wrote:
>
> On 9/8/2012 3:34 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> > k, I've noticed the pedal has gone soft (after starting the engine)
> > it's like a rock, and correct "height" with the engine off..
>
>
> Put your foot on the brake pedal and start the car (assuming there is no
> vacuum in the system). You should feel the brake pedal sink if the
> vacuum booster is operating properly.
>
> --
> Stan George Portland <<
>
it does, but becomes sponge like, and pretty much goes to the floor..
I'm assuming failed master cylinder-- but thought it odd that I have a firm pedal when the engine is off-- only to go to mush when it's running.
..and if I have to pull the master cylinder-- how do I get the reservior off the top of it??
...
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Stan George <ssgkag@...> wrote:
>
> On 9/8/2012 3:34 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> > k, I've noticed the pedal has gone soft (after starting the engine)
> > it's like a rock, and correct "height" with the engine off..
>
>
> Put your foot on the brake pedal and start the car (assuming there is no
> vacuum in the system). You should feel the brake pedal sink if the
> vacuum booster is operating properly.
>
> --
> Stan George Portland <<
>
On 9/8/2012 3:34 PM, ajrnemt wrote:
> k, I've noticed the pedal has gone soft (after starting the engine)
> it's like a rock, and correct "height" with the engine off..
Put your foot on the brake pedal and start the car (assuming there is no
vacuum in the system). You should feel the brake pedal sink if the
vacuum booster is operating properly.
--
Stan George Portland <<
Okay..
Braking question..
My w126 ('84 300SD) has had some brake issues (drivers' rear caliper) hasn't been grabbing (there's still rust on the rotor face).
The last week, I've noticed the pedal has gone soft (after starting the engine) it's like a rock, and correct "height" with the engine off..
I'm worried the vac booster has failed.. Is it possible that this would make for a soft pedal situation?? It's the brakes are not gripping well like this.. (spookyish)
I've been told the stuck caliper can cause all sorts of chaos, so I've ordered a hardware kit-- and plan on tear into that first.. But, since I'm going to have to order a vac booster-- I'm wondering if I need to get one on my way..
...wondering when the problems from sitting two years will cease, so I can actually move forward on this.. *sigh*
There are some generous people out there on the road. I've been helped
by them, when I've had some serious car trouble as well as been the help
to others.
I like Brian, used some coat hanger wire along with the rubber donuts.
Maybe I'll get the chain donuts sometime.
Rob
Garden Grove, CA
===
On 9/8/12 5:15 AM, diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Re: Exhaust Hangers...seeking the RIGHT ones
> Posted by: "CaitlinDean"tinymachine@gmail.com livingliminally
> Date: Fri Sep 7, 2012 4:04 pm ((PDT))
>
> UPDATE....
>
> Today while going over a speed bump...3rd of 4 donuts broke and dropped the muffler to the ground. Luckily there was a small parking lot nearby and I pulled in. The guy behind me (on a motorcycle) stopped to see if he could help, gave me some giant twist ties, and complimented me on my ride. I was late for an appointment, so my gal came and got me.
>
> I went back several hours later, more equipped to do a quick fix on the spot....to find that the nice guy had done it for me! He got some wire from an iron working shop nearby and strung it up for me...according to the woman working in the thrift store at the lot where I stashed my car.
>
> Kind and generous people are out there...just like this list reminds me every day:)
>
> Soooooo.... I just ordered p/n 107 492 00 44 from AutoHausAZ at under $4 a pop, and under $5 shipping (UPS Innovations....UPS delivers it to USPS who takes it to your mailbox...about same time as UPS ground, way cheaper). I ordered 4 so grand total is under $21.
>
> I'll keep you posted on whether I keep my sanity during install;)
>
> Caitlin
> 83 300SD
> in Santa Fe, NM
