Waking up my 280SL

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Steve - 68 280SL - 07 Oct 2006 06:02 GMT

I have a 68 280SL automatic that I have had in storage for 5-6 years.
It is a beauty and I want to revive it for weekend driving. However, I
am unsure what fluids it uses, and where they are filled in the motor.
It has a history of a slow leak for trans fluid/power steering fluid.

My questions are:

Are the transmission fluid & power steering fluid using the same fluid
and reservoir?

I also want to put a clean oil change in place. Where does the oil
filter reside in the engine? I believe it is filled via the large cap
on top of the motor.

Both of these items have always been a mystery to me.

Thanks so much for all replies.

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TPr - 07 Oct 2006 10:23 GMT

It might be an idea to get your self a manual for the car, specific to
servicing it at home. It should atleast guide you step by step on how to do
the various jobs, untill your familar with it and can do it with your eyes
closed.

|I have a 68 280SL automatic that I have had in storage for 5-6 years.
| It is a beauty and I want to revive it for weekend driving. However, I
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
|
| Thanks so much for all replies.

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Anonymous - 07 Oct 2006 12:23 GMT

Let me say if you have difficulties figuring out where the engine oil filter
is, or if the transmission fluid reservoir versus power steering is a bit
gray area, I'd suggest to find a friend who could help and look after the
job or get very familiar with the stuff from the user manual.

You may find guidance and manuals from internet, I did not find one for 280
sl but an example for a W116 car engine oil change and power steering:
http://handbook.w116.org/Maintenance%5CMY72%5C151.pdf
http://handbook.w116.org/Maintenance%5CMY72%5C134.pdf

Car specific forums may provide help (existing post or you can ask questions
from the owners of a similar car)
http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=62

> It might be an idea to get your self a manual for the car, specific to
> servicing it at home. It should atleast guide you step by step on how to
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> |
> | Thanks so much for all replies.

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Richard Sexton - 08 Oct 2006 04:06 GMT

>I have a 68 280SL automatic that I have had in storage for 5-6 years.
>It is a beauty and I want to revive it for weekend driving. However, I
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>Are the transmission fluid & power steering fluid using the same fluid
>and reservoir?

Yes.

>I also want to put a clean oil change in place. Where does the oil
>filter reside in the engine? I believe it is filled via the large cap
>on top of the motor.

Can't remember off hand; I have 3 of these engines. But it's kinda hard
to miss it's a big cylinder.

You'll also need to remove and replace the brake fluid and the brake
soft lines which have now expired (they date coded and only good for 5 years)

Pray the master cylinder and caliper seals still work, they HATE to sit.

Right off the bat you should be more worried about stopping than going
in a car with nearly 40 year old brake hydraulics. Most people would
replce the calipers, M/C, booster and soft lines on principle when the
car got to this age.

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Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

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corix - 11 Oct 2006 09:08 GMT

Suggest you check-out and join http://www.sl113.org where you will find a
discussion forum with specific answers to questions on your car plus much
more info from experts and enthusiasts of that car.

The oil used isn't any different as most other MB engines. I use regular
oil for the car and regular ATF for the power steering and auto tranny. The
power steering reservoir is a round cannister located near the power
steering pump. You can unscrew the knob on top and lift the cover to check
the level (there is a mark). The auto tranny dipstick is on the left side
near the firewall, close to the exhaust manifolds. It has a round cover,
usually painted red. I forget where the engine oil dipstick is. The
important rule is to never overfill the tranny with ATF.

>I have a 68 280SL automatic that I have had in storage for 5-6 years.
> It is a beauty and I want to revive it for weekend driving. However, I
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks so much for all replies.

Reply to this Message