The results are back - oil analysis on 3 Mercedes SL's W113 230sl, R107 280sl and R230 SL55

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Great info Mike. Thanks for doing this. Something I'm going to do on mine. My 6.3 had a catastrophic piston failure due to imo fuel dilution creating a bore wash situation. Also all of the small ends were worn excessively. Luckily the crank was good thanks again. John

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment...and what a great channel you have. I cant say I'm not a little jealous of your workshop and skill set! Mike

[@TonyLiveTV]

I wonder what a first oil change after the rebuild might show? I’ve bookmarked the site. Interesting information Mike. Thanks.

[@jameslully6764]

As always fantastic video. Would you ever consider using Liqui Moly Mos2 to cover the zinc shortage?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Good question. I did a lot of reading up on Liqui Moly mos2 additive and even watched the 'Project Farm' test of the product. My base case scenario is that I do not like putting additives of any kind into engine oil....as I have yet to see any compelling evidence that they do any good. I believe that the right thing to do, is to put the correct oil in the car in the first place. With that in mind, I have written to Castrol and asked them what additives they use in the 20W50 to replace the lower levels of zinc and calcium.

[@jameslully6764]

BTW where is that red 380sl that you worked so hard and was damaged by that low life. We all have learned so much from your videos

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

​@@jameslully6764 The insurance company eventually paid out for the red 280SL. I had an Apple airtag in it and found it in a wreckers yard in in Wales. I did a short video about the car (see below) and the next day a subscriber bought it. They have since restored it. I was hoping to do a follow up...some day....and thanks for your kind comments. Mike kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3fFiqN8Z9-pqZI

[@jameslully6764]

Thanks I am rebuilding the suspensions of my W115 240D and 300D. I am following your 280sl video step by step.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

​@@jameslully6764 That is quite a big and daunting job and I hope it goes well. Mike

[@ashergibby1874]

I just bought a 03 sl55, and im going to be replacing the drivers side window switch. The door panel will need to be removed should the batteries be disconnected to avoid error messages?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Congrats on your new purchase. I never disconnected the 'consumer' battery when removing the door card to fix the wing mirror: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5WQkHSrbLl4gKM Just remember that if you are ever disconnecting batteries - always disconnect 'consumer' first and then 'starter' If you have not already done so, it might be worth having a look at your battery control module just to check that there are no signs of excessive heat see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqSco5KFbcmBjK8 The videos in this playlist may help you in the future: kzbin.info/aero/PLONqXqFnLGrjrRMyMj-02uPxLVogBjr8a Mike

[@ashergibby1874]

​@MikesMercsandothercars, thanks! I will definitely end up checking the battery control module as it has a battery drain. The trunk interior flaps are lose, so I suspect that being the reason the roof will not operate. Since I've purchased it the drivers window is struggling to go up but I'm removeing the door panel to replace the window switch. I'll have to inspect it further!

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@ashergibby1874 I am in the process of doing a roof video as my car has developed an intermittent fault. One of the reasons that those roof flaps break is because the boot soft close mechanism breaks and people start to slam the boot instead of closing it gently. Window struggling to go up could be faulty motor...or could just need lubrication. Have fun and let me know how you get on. Mike

[@felawes]

The only difference with Mike is I drive my R129 SL500 10,000 miles a year across Europe.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

R129 roof down across Europe..nice. I used to regularly drive my Pagoda and silver R107 280SL down to Bezier to visit my parents. Nothing like the feeling of cruising through vineyards in South of France in a classic Merc. The arrival of a child has temporarily put the kibosh on our trips to France in the merc....Mike