Deep Dive Into My Cheap Mercedes 420SEL! What All Is Wrong??

[@JamieCameron-Mackintosh-z7c]

Mike, if you're losing brake fluid out of the master cylinder with no signs of leaks at the wheels or from the hard lines underneath then you have two remaining options, one cheap and pretty easy to fix and one definitely not. The cheap and easy option is that the seals in the master cylinder are failing and you're losing the brake fluid into the brake servo/booster. An easy way to check is to remove the vacuum line and then use something like a cable tie or semi-stiff wire to reach down into the bottom of the can to see if you have any fluid in there. It should be dry in there, so the presence of any liquid gives you your answer which is that the master cylinder is failing. The brake fluid can attack the diaphragm in the servo/booster so cleaning out the unit thoroughly is a good idea. In some cases when the master cylinder has been leaking for some time into the servo then you can get so much brake fluid in the unit that it gets drawn into the engine through the vacuum line and burnt which creates white smoke from the exhaust that can be mistaken for far more serious engine issues. The burning brake fluid does have a distinctive smell too. The expensive option is that the ABS pump is breaking down internally from age and people not following the correct procedure when pushing back the caliper pistons when installing new brake pads. What you should do on any vehicle with ABS is to open the bleed nipples on the calipers to let the excess brake fluid out when pushing the caliper pistons back in as the valves in the ABS pump are one-way valves, so putting pressure on them the wrong way can cause the valves to break, which pretty much writes the pump off, particularly on more recent vehicles as the pumps are sealed units that are not serviceable, and are often hideously expensive if you have to replace them.

[@OtherSarah2]

Mike, if you can get that carpet out and powerwash it from the back side, then let it dry upside down in the sun (I know, I know, autumn) ... It's work, but it gets you a clean carpet. Bonus, you can get to the floorboards to inspect the top side for any damage / rust in the floors.

[@TheOcculus]

You don't want to dry the carpet in the sun. You want it up on sawhorses in the garage or barn or somewhere else out of the Sun. The jute backing and the carpet itself will shrink if you leave it in the sun.

[@MikeSchmidt-qt7ls]

Such a joy to watch this other than the craziness online.

[@rossfield8850]

I’m seriously in love with this Mercedes. I just love the engineering in these old girls! This one sounds like the best running one you’ve ever scored! Never stop buying these plz, you can’t really buy at auction here in BC without a dealer licence, so I rely on you to fill your driveway up with them 😂😂

[@zaphodbeeblebrox6627]

If you can't find a brake fluid leak, I would check the brake servo ( what you call the booster?) An uncle of mine who lived in Sweden used to garage his car in an under grand Carpark storage during the winter and for years when ever he got the car out of storage in the Spring, the brake reservoir would be bone dry. He'd fill it up and use it spring Summer & Autumn ( fall) and it never lost any fluid or need to be topped up. Back it would go into storage for winter & bone dry next time it came out. The mechanic finally figured the fluid leaked into the booster and the first time the car was started after it's winter lay up a plume of smoke came out the exhaust for about a minute or two and then it was fine. That smoke was the brake fluid being burned off ) They could never quite work out where the master cylinder was leaking ( presumably it was a slightly worn seal), but they changed it and it fixed the fluid loss.

[@locotrucker46]

I can tell you really love that 420. I'm happy for you. I have a 86 camaro z28 that im constantly working on and I absolutely love her. We love our cars.

[@marvinstoker4267]

I love the body style on the older Mercedes.like the one you're working on.

[@peterkwok9608]

Love the Mercedes Mike 😎😎👍👍You stole that car 💯💯

[@stevenhovinga6584]

Hi Mike, Seeing as you have multiple cars it would be worth getting some small notebooks and assign one for each car and log all the work you do as well as the parts you change, mileage,ect.on that specific car. I preferer to keep it in the car incase I'm traveling and something comes up that I need to maintenance the car while I'm on the road. Just an idea to keep track of what all you've put into the car this can help when it comes time to sell the car. Keep the videos coming. ✌

[@markstoybox2058]

I really enjoy watching you fixing up these old luxury cars🤘😎🤘

[@Mr.Worf63]

Job well done Mike !! After it’s painted it’s going to look like new 👍🏆

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Excellent work, Mike. It's always a pleasure to see the progress on her. Wouldn't it cool to also have the equivalent model year BMW 735i E32 and Jaguar XJ40 3.6 Sovereign alongside her like on the old Motorweek reviews.

[@jameswinborne3541]

Hey you can get these attachment brushes for your drill to clean the carpet with. Get you a little pump sprayer and spray down your carpet after you vacuum it. Use that drill brush and then your steam cleaner. You will definitely see a difference buddy. Love you channel !! That 🦆 !! 😁🤣🤣👍❤️

[@robertvance1873]

Holeee Exhaust Leaks, Batman 😂

[@byronholt4912]

I believe I picked up a hint of sarcasm as you said that door sill was a comfortable place to sit 💯

Nice job!

[@micahbush3877]

Awesome job Mike. The car is looking great! Keep up the great videoa and great work! As always love your channels

[@orlandosantiago6398]

On this episode of MWM, Mike shows his sexy Thanksgiving Turkey Leg 🎉

[@billbowers268]

That car is awesome ! It will bee very impressive fix up .

[@dizrick]

Love the content Mike.

[@gerry-p9x]

How. Much to buy

[@jasonp.greiner8239]

Hey Mike, I love lola & Benzo. The mercedes looks great. I have a 1995 S class 600.

[@whistlingdiesel]

Cool, ask Big Al about his contacts to the film industry, like him you could rent this car out for the silver screen, or flixnet stream 😁

[@waverlystevenson426]

Gotta start yourself a list of everything you complete on each vehicle. Love watching best wishes

[@JW-lo2bh]

Another great Monkey Wrench Mike video! I might be a PITA, but I'd pull the carpet out of the car and I'd pressure wash it. It would look really good. Is that a clean title car?

[@ronsautojax]

Cool Mike

[@MrMZ-vv5jw]

Wonderful seeing the progress on this beautiful w126 Mike. The car looks so much better without those tinted windows. In the movie Beverly Hills Cop there is one w126 like yours. Maybe you could play some of the theme music for your intro when you working on this car.

[@HerbOldenburg]

Mike - did you try the Tuff Stuff with the foam? I have had great luck with the tougher spots using the Tough Stuff. Looks great with the Hover - mucho better Mike. Thx for sharing - Nice ride

[@mikaeljonsson4686]

Great job as always, Mike! That V8 just puuurred.... 🥰😍🤩

[@jamesdemuro5923]

Another fun video with Mike 👍

[@AbcDef-iq4no]

This is such a beautiful body style. As i see you have a number of vehicles with leather seats, I would recommend mink oil paste, which is a product I use on both leather and vinyl seats, doors and even dashboard covers. I find it at my local farm and feed store and it comes in a small tub (Snow Proof brand, 3 oz. tub). I rub it on with a small cloth, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then buff it off with a clean soft cloth. It smells good, goes a long way and really softens and conditions vinyl and leather.

[@mhawkins1975]

Hi Mike I love that exterior colour combo

[@haskellburks]

Hello Mike aka Monkey Wrench Mike. Working on the 2006 Mercedes 420SLE. Removed all of the old window tint. You've cleaned the carpet. She's starting to look beautiful.

[@jasonbrown2912]

Try awesome cleaner Mike it's at the dollar general

[@a-dub]

The w126 is an amazing car! Great video!

[@robertvance1873]

Fuel Hoses looking a little fat 😂 A leak waiting to happen.

[@paulstansfield8693]

Hi Mike, quality is quality, for me the best of the best, I drive 07 S550 W221 as my daily, but I do look at these with envious eyes. The main issue here in the Uk is corrosion, not maniacal. Great content, as always. Regards Paul 🇬🇧

[@kingmyles5455]

My aunt Pam use to have one when I was a kid❤

[@johnkauffman6347]

Mike this Mercedes Benz is awesome you really got blessed with this one . Awesome job there keep it going...😎

[@Morgorn1]

I love this car! I believe actress Theresa Russell drove this same year/model in the 1987 movie "Black Widow," and I thought then (and still do) that it is such a stately, good-looking vehicle with timeless and classic good looks.

[@samersalfiti6593]

try baking soda a little bit of vinegar and dishwash soap mix it and see how effective it is and if there's a smell usually baking soda helps thank you God bless ☺️

[@TheOcculus]

Bosch CIS fuel systems have a fuel pump and fuel pressure accumulator not two fuel pumps. :-)

[@CL500MBZ]

Endlich ein anständiger, richtiger Mercedes zum Reparieren, anstelle der elenden schwedischen Rosthaufen, mit denen Sie sich abgemüht haben.

[@richardcorner9262]

With your skills the Barracuda will not be a problem ,just a great addition to the fleet

[@TheBTG88]

These models are peak Mercedes Benz. They will always look good.

[@richardcorner9262]

Almost as good as a Barracuda

[@wolfhound4010]

Funny looking truck…,LOL. I love the older Mercedes.

[@kevintaylor7791]

Get a drill brush for those carpet stains. Works like a champ.

[@soelenny]

Nice job , Mike . But one thing to ask … why are the bumpers so big in the US ? In Europe is not so big

[@gerry-p9x]

5. Mph bumpers. Mandated by US. NTSB. STANDARDS

[@jameslucas5658]

Hoover 's are the best

[@r.weaver3769]

If you watch a few detail videos, you can pick up some inexpensive, time saving tips for cleaning carpets.

[@ChuckCampbell-v6e]

I appreciate u not cutting corners on getting those vehicles back on the road. Wish more vehicle videos, too old for electric bikes. Lol

[@PettyFan42]

You should get a shop like Randy has.

[@SouthernCharm2025]

Mike I know this sounds so old school. But my favorite mercedes wheels are the mercedes 280 SE, 450 SE 450 SL 450 SLC 280 S 14 inch OEM wheel. I think they would look great on this Mercedes. However, I think the smallest wheel you can get on the 420 SEL is 15.

[@robertvance1873]

Super Job 👍 Mike You were the best thing to happen to the Old Mercedes, I don't think Benzo likes being called Lucky 😂

[@toxicedgeexplorations]

don’t forget the right bezel mike.

[@matthewc3120]

Do the headlight wipers work?

[@billbowers268]

Nothing can be as pretty as Lola !

[@richardcorner9262]

When sat in the back of a Barracuda

[@GeorgeCasas]

LMAO, to late to ask if you changed the oil😅

[@matthewhill5130]

If that Mercedes had an electric rear defroster it doesn't now. If your losing break fluid and can't find any leaks then it is probably your master cylinder leaking into te vacuum assist if that vehicle has one.

[@kirkbanton9181]

1986 the year i left Prepartory school for high school. the car looks stately.

[@fatdad5421]

Mike your exhaust leaks sounds like a pesky goose quacking

[@robertvance1873]

Hey Mike give Auto Zone a try I'm getting Dura last ceramic pads for my Corolla for $41 a pair, of course I imagine there's a slight difference because of it being a Mercedes 😂 worth checking out.

[@brianjanes4700]

I love those cars besides Volvo from these time period great fun little cars and reliable if taken care of correctly

[@KeiNovak]

Oh man, for a sec I thought you bought yet another car! You got to finish a car before buying another one! lol

[@markmargiotta9692]

Hey Mike clean your driveway leafs up and power wash your driveway it would look great

[@nicholasz1]

Tell randy to put a sign where the fire ants are. So he doesn't step on them a 10th time =))

[@TheDude237]

Mike u should watch the new Video of tflclassics

[@nkenchington6575]

Why would you eat/drink in a nice car? It really irks me the way that modern reviewers scoff at the lack of cupholders in older Mercs, as if having therm is somehow progress. No-one is allowed food or drink anywhere near my 1994 S500L, and yes, I am fun at parties!!

[@MegaKENWORTHT600]

Replace all brake hoses

[@ianwiggins5499]

Is that a Jaguar? You’ve got there as well if it is a very nice cars, monkey wrench Mike very good mate.😅😅😅😅

[@BrianThomas-fj6ec]

It could be a bad power booster. Brake fluid causing it leak in side the power booster one of my trucks has that problem right now ..

[@MegaKENWORTHT600]

Needs all rotors.pads.wheel bearings

[@rstudimire]

Where do you find these cars for the price???

[@fasd538]

First? Wow, lucky me, yay.

[@bburgess4634]

Clean up then SELL SELL

[@richardcorner9262]

To buy the Barracuda

[@robertvance1873]

Looks like a hole in the converter

[@gerry-p9x]

Battery tray rotted and seeps into pass. Side

[@oniljr9149]

❤🥰👍🤙

[@hpp3sapo]

Mike the carpet…you can do better than that

[@eddynicholson7411]

Remember when you tubers used to reply to there viewers?

[@michaelrichards669]

Their or there... over there??

[@matthewc3120]

​@@michaelrichards669 they're 😂

[@richardcorner9262]

He will if you mention the Barracuda

[@eddynicholson7411]

Smh idiots