Hello.
Let me report status of the works done on my 600.
All the fluids and filters are replaced. All the old filters were date coded around 2001! The car was not running smooth. I had to remove the fuel tank and do acid flush as there was rust sediment about 1cm deep. I cleaned strainers in fuel tank and fuel pump. Luckily the fuel filter in engine bay was very clean but I replaced it anyway.
Heating water valve under the car for the back was stuck closed but I managed to clean it. Rubber hoses behind the back seat were already replaced by previous owner so no risk there.
The car runs and drives great now. Frankly speaking I was very surprised how much it’s different to W109 6.3. It so smooth, calm and silent. It’s boating not driving!
TODO:
Comfort hydraulics – I have about 5 leaks (trunk lid actuator, trunk lid controls, both right doors …) I will buy a lot of special seals and brass ring from Germany and will try to do my best with help of Frenchbuff and other guys here.
Instrument cluster backlight – it’s all dead. I guess it’s the dimmer. I had the same problem on 6.3
Engine temperature and ambient temperature gauge – both are dead. I have a local company that will fix it for about 200 EUR each.
Rattling in the steering wheel while driving over bumps – I will do further inspection of the steering components. The rubber connection at the steering box is fine. I guess it will be some ball joint. Or ball bearing under the steering wheel is bad.
Brakes – I’m very lucky as all pads and disks are brand new! Brake booster boosts great but the brake pedal movement is not smooth. I feel some jerkyness while pressing it even in the initial dead zone. Any ideas?
Glass seals – I got new rear and rear side fixed windows seals with the car as they are hard as wood and cracked. Windshield seal was replaced already and is soft. I already ordered new seal for both vent windows as they are partly missing. They have new production available from MB Classic. They are hell expensive – 700 EUR each!
Rust – there is a little rust hole under passenger carpet where the exhaust rubber buffer was supposed to be. It will need some welding. There is a lot of rust under rear chrome molding between tail light. I found it during right cracked taillight plastic replacement.
Bumpers – previous owner made more than 20 deep dents there! I will do complete re-surfacing over the winter.
MFI – I found black oil pouring out of the MFI during oil exchange. I’m sure that the internal seal is shot but MFI is working great so I will postpone this topic for later….
Paint – There is one home made overpaint on the car that’s very ugly. I will do full repaint in the future.
Mirrors – I will replace outside mirrors glass with convex ones from W115 as it’s much safer and I have great experience with it from 6.3.
Exhaust – we managed to cut – bend – weld the damaged stainless pipes back in place.
Air suspension – Bags are working but almost dead. See pictures. I have a new set on the way. There is a leak on the back. The valve is definitely bad as the car won’t go to upper position. It will be refurbished. The rear upper rubber stops are crushed as the car sat on them for 20 years. MB wants EUR 350 / each. I'll probably cast them myself from polyurethane. The rest is working great.
Antenna – I have to check the antenna. I guess it should be automatic but it’s not moving. Probably it’s seized or replaced with hand operated.
Ignition – There is some ugly looking but great working power box at the V of the engine. I will replace it with Pertronix later.
Thanks for suggestions.
600 #796 (1967 US version)
300SEL 6.3 #1285 (1969 EURO version)
300SEL 6.3 #5346 (1971 US version project)