My 1969 Mercedes 280SE Needs Work!!

This was a fun video to make. I've been working on this 1969 Mercedes 280SE restoration for years. In this video, I'll show you how to test for head gasket leaks and how to install new brake lines in a classic Mercedes. It's one step forward, and two steps back! LOL.
These cars are very similar to a Mercedes 250S and 250SE. Restoring them doesn't have to be expensive. How to restore a Mercedes W108 can be learned by anyone!

[@jerrytate9394]

Please bring the Mercedes 280SE back to life! Don't let it sit any longer!!! GREAT!!!

[@toolzshed]

Awwww come on Janice!!! Mike is fixing you!! Please cooperate!

[@idletime]

G'afternoon Mike ☕☕ 😎 . Gotta love the 69' . No computers, electronics or digital nonsense to get in the way. Just analog / mechanical systems that makes sense and are more satisfying and easier to work on 😇 .

[@roybaker3945]

Hey Mike, Don't ever quit on Janice, she's a wonderful classic that deserves a second life. Plus you've come so far, she even started on the first crank! You're "This Close"! (motioning with my thumb and pointe finger) Love the vids. ✌

[@charlierosenbusch3007]

Mike don’t lose faith, it’s a car that’s been sitting not running. You are taking the right steps to restoring it. It can get frustrating but look at how far it’s come. And in the end you can say you did this car justice and can enjoy the fruits of your labor.

[@terryeustice5399]

Janice is trying to get to heaven! 😀 she has been a pain. Thanks for sharing Mike. You will win 🏆 💯👋

[@chrissiano381]

Time to do a head gasket job... She is worth saving.

[@chrislambert2889]

Deep breath mike Janice will be amazing after you fix the time car was left in storage unit parking lot.🙌

[@ianmitchell4231]

I have every faith in you Mike that you can get Janice back on the road and running and driving well, she is just going to take that little bit longer than hoped for.

[@Mr.Worf63]

Never surrender Mike ! You can do this , we’re all counting on you. 👍 Great job Mike 🏆

[@reverdywinfree3758]

She'll be worth all your efforts!

[@kathleenfling84]

She's a beautiful old lady well worth restoring good job Mike.👍❤️

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

Be sure to use compressed air to blow out all of the brake lines you could have a clog. Great videos Mike.

[@Jsellers1965]

This will be the best car in your fleet when you get her fixed. Don't give up on her Mike!

[@Andy-pf7me]

Really looking forward to the Head gasket job! Exciting!😃

[@WildDigger]

Can't wait to see the head gasket replacement. Good video.

[@richardcorner9262]

You can do it mike , much easier than reading a autocue we have faith in your ability to re gasket the head

[@stevenkerr1455]

"Why Can't I fall in love with a Lexus?" that needs to be on merch. Had Toyota Surfs and they were like my 500SEC. Constant Work

[@davidkucher5.0Coy]

I'll be watching the progress Mike. 😎👌👍

[@Jddvs]

Janice is teaching you how to eat an elephant!😊 It is taking a lot of little bites, but it will be so satisfying when you finish. “Bon Appetit” !

[@jackmead6166]

Thank you very much! I know that Janice is not helping you but I do enjoy that car and what it can be so much. Keep safe!!!

[@atrahasis3899]

Mike's escaping gases turn green once again........

[@ae4bp]

I have really enjoyed this content, Mike. While I enjoy all you post, I particularly like this one. Hang in there…it will be worth it, as it is a really cool car.

[@SUBZEROinfinity]

We have faith In you Mike. Life Is just A learning experience and this will be as well. You are doing A great job and I think you got this.

[@MaxtheFinger]

I love that car. 😊

[@schmidt28117]

A first for Mike, the battery was charged. ;) Keep up the great work.

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Yep!!

[@andreassrensen7115]

Keep on the good work. shout out from denmark

[@Ulford]

Please Mike, keep fixing this car. She is beautiful. I mean tank.

[@robbobsjobs8456]

Had a 1973 version. Awesome car. Keep it up

[@michaelbarr2213]

Enjoying your videos mate. Michael from Scotland

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Scotland!!! Very cool!

[@PaddyBoy644]

Barra conversion! Keep up the great work Mike. Cheers Pat 🇦🇺

[@craigschenk729]

Been watching the resurrection of Janis since you got her. Really love the car. When you popped the valve cover off and saw the cam with rust on it, well I knew there was trouble. But really think this car is worth the next step of doing the head gasket. Hopefully the head is not cracked. Getter done Mike! Wonderful car when done.👍

[@soelenny]

If you make her drive and stop , will have a very nice car . Driving around you will be the king 🤴

[@BuildTheSandbox]

Don't restore, get it running enjoy it, and move it along to the next guy who can work on few things and then do the same Mike :) Nice work!

[@edwardtc8129]

Hay Mike that car is going to be awesome once it’s back on the road it’s so beautiful. Looking forward to your next video

[@renrut1613]

Another great video Mike your truly a “do it yourselfer”. What we all want to see.

[@peterkwok9608]

You made good progress Mike 😎😎👍👍

[@michaellian6554]

While you're doing the master cylinder might want to do the brake calipers at the same time I'm sure the rubber parts in the back and front are bad to from sitting around brake fluid cans of chew them up pretty good especially if they've been setting for a while. Good to hear the engine run now little gasket that should have yourself a good running car now you need a good stopping car you don't got the feet for Fred Flintstone LOL good luck

[@MichaelSmith-wb1es]

You know what I see when I see this car??? Content, Content and more Content.

[@robertvance1873]

Aww Poor Janice, I am so glad you are not giving up on the old girl mike just think 🤔 how nice it's going to be once you get everything done and your cruising that old classic down the road and picking up Chick's YEAH BABY 😅😂😅😂😂😂

[@piotrmamut9709]

I love your series with European cars ❤ now i"m waiting for SLK 😅

[@russelltrupia4479]

This is such a shame, stay with it Mike👍👍

[@billinsa9752]

Sounds like fun, cat wait to watch

[@neilforrest2677]

Great video Mike! Don't give up on the old girl. Rather than having to buy tools all the time, check to see if the auto parts store loans them out. I've run out of places to put new tools. I've been forced to look at other solutions.

[@2DogsVlogs]

Thankfully doing the head gasket is easy on these. Just take your time if you have too shave the head like I did. I'd suggest getting a helper though as it really is a 2 person job as the thing is bloody heavy. I gave up on the breaks. The master cylinder for some reason kept blocking. I retired the car when I was going to a car show and exiting the freeway, and had next too no breaks. Turned around, went home and parked the car in the yard.

[@ezesrebuilds1174]

Whoever is reading this, I hope this day will be a great day.

[@toolzshed]

It's Janice Benz 🤘🏽😊

[@haskellburks]

Hello Mike aka Monkey Wrench Mike. Time to get the 1969 Mercedes 280SE. You do a great job on all of your cars.

[@Jimsathome]

Keep trying Mike! Do the Head Gasket first, because it could be a show stopper for you.

[@howardfletcher4353]

Look up reverse brake bleeder. Using one of those is a lot easier to bleed your brakes

[@tompena7487]

Love watching thanks

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Mike I wouldn't do any more work or waste any more money until you first get the car running properly!!!

[@alannewsome1729]

After 5 years it finally starts 😂😂😂

[@cm1971it]

Green is Money...Your Money LOL😅🤣

[@rustysa1389]

Thanks for great channel!!!

[@toolzshed]

Is Lola napping? 😊❤

[@KeithJenkinsvideos]

The high points in brake lines will trap air bubbles

[@errickadavis2161]

hi i like your tech class lol i do learn a lot mike i cant wait til the next s a day to see what s next s.

[@danielulz1640]

Mike, are you SURE that you don't want me to send you a lighter? Hang in there, it will be worth it in the end.

[@toolzshed]

Awwww ☹️💚

[@inovahightechltd]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@toolzshed]

We need to get Mercedes Benz to Sponsor the channel 😂🤘🏽or at least buy parts

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Def…

[@rickderoehn2630]

you must be o'reillys biggest customer

[@mexicanspec]

Mike, if you are lucky it is a blown head gasket.

[@alannewsome1729]

Maybe in another 5 years the brakes will work. 😂😂😂 but at least it’s starts up good and runs good baby steps.😂😂😂

[@KeiNovak]

If you get this up and running right, you might be able to find an overseas (Asia?) collector that would pay a pretty penny for it.

[@kirkacola7942]

Janice is eating mike's eating his wallet alive!😅

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

Since you are getting geared up for new head gasket, why not try some Blue Devil first?🤔🤔🤔👍

[@brianandrews7099]

I wouldn’t bother trying to rebuild any old master cylinders. If the bore has rust pitting (which they almost always do), they will never work properly or be fully safe. Your better off just buying a new master or sending the old one off to have stainless steel sleeve pressed into the bore; if a new one is unavailable. Same for wheel cylinders and calipers. Trust me, no one is a bigger cheapskate than me, but brakes are one area that you don’t want to cut corners to save money.

[@mexicanspec]

Just remember Mike, yo shouldn't blame the car for all of this. You should blame the previous owner for leaving her in the storage yard for so long.

[@Mustang00007]

She is from Australia well golly gee Gomer. Must be good😅😅

[@wernerdanler2742]

You may have air in the brake lines, but do the brakes need adjusting? Does it have disks or drums on the back? I forgot to look and Lola is not talking even though she was right there. 😅😂😅😂😅 I hope a head gasket is all it needs. 🙏

[@ccross1210]

#replaycrew

[@dimitrig3739]

My spirits are crushed thinking about how your spirits are crushed 😢

[@michaelcoonce6694]

Guess we figured out why it was parked

[@Ahmedtofik64]

I wait ✋ 😌 💗 ☺ 💓 ♥ ✋ 😌 💗 ☺ 💓 ♥ ✋ 😌 💗 ☺ 💓 ♥ 🎉🎉

[@georgecasas8628]

Bleeding brakes is a two person job.

[@nikkodartist]

where you can see the chassis no# of the mercedes benz 1969 model

[@manuelgaytan1071]

What's up with the garlic 😮

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Garlic??

[@airabsolute7505]

green doesn’t mean anything at this point, the car been sitting, it’s just condensation in the oil

[@jimmyrivano3477]

😲😲👏👏👍👍👊👊🏆🏆🙏🙏

[@westcruz3878]

Monkey 🙈 with that ghost 👻 Mercedes 😵 good luck 🍀 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@michaelbustillo9583]

Here’s a junkyard cold start, who remembers these Toyotas? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6rYZayiZa56sM0

[@brucecobb2349]

NOT TRYING TO BE FUNNY. BUT LIKE MY DAD USE TO SAY DRIVE FAR EAST TIL CAN'T GO KNOW MORE BACK UP. AND JUMP OUT AND LIT IT GO INTO THE WATER.

[@kevintaylor7791]

MWM, put on da damm lab coat. It will get better for you.

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Bet!

[@jerrydash5433]

First

[@7588wardogg]

Just put it in the junkyard

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Never!! Lol

[@7588wardogg]

@@MonkeyWrenchMike I like your videos but you work on nothing but junk

[@edwardmartinez9459]

Hey Mike the old Benz today.

[@edwardmartinez9459]

Head gasket or cracked head.