New to G-Wagen! Problems :(

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Wed, 16/02/2011 - 03:28
sobo
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Joined: 16.02.2011
Location: OO ESS AAAY

 Hey all, I just got into the G community. I'm from USA so please bear with me!

Unfortunately it's been plagued with problems already... Depressing really, I liked the truck for about an hour when it then proceeded to leave me stranded 3 hours from home.

Heres a little info about my rig. It's a 1984 280E, 5 speed, with a om617.95 turbo diesel swapped into it. The transmission was supposedly rebuilt 25,000 miles ago.

And here are my problems:

1. Doing 75 miles an hour the car suddenly reduced speed (As if the car stalled) but upon pulling over I realized the truck was running just fine. I put it into gear and let out the clutch... nothing. No movement what so ever not even an ounce of effort. The gearbox made no grinds or any real signs of typical destruction, and the pedal pressure was just as strong as always. When I was looking over the truck originally I noticed a grinding/rattling noise with the clutch NOT pressed in and the G in neutral.

Does this sound like a typical symptom of anything you guys know of? I've heard that the rattle noise I heard was a sign of worn out clutch disc bearing/springs and could be the cause of my problems. I really hope so because I cannot find a replacement gearbox.

If it is the clutch, what clutch do I buy for this thing? The 300G clutch disk, the 280E clutch disk, or the original sedan disc?

2. If I hit my brakes, the brakes do NOT release and begin to hang up. As if they don't release the pressure that they created. As far as I can tell it's all 4 brakes that hang up. Supposedly the master cylinder is new but who knows.

3. I have various leaks forming.
-A small amount of red fluid weeping out of the transfer case
-A small amount of black fluid coming out of the front of the transmission
-Oil on top of the motor coming out of the PCV/oil cap area
*Note, none of these are serious enough to form a drop on the driveway yet, but they will need to be addressed to make me happy.

4. The blower motor doesn't seem to work. Is this a common issue with these or is it a wiring issue?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I just am hoping for the best because I originally bought this vehicle because I was wanted something that would never leave me stranded and would be able to take the abuse I could throw at it.

Anyone know of good places to get parts?

Thank you,
Alex

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Wed, 16/02/2011 - 16:23
#1
Pistonhead
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Joined: 17.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
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Re: New to G-Wagen! Problems :(

Hello and Welcome to the club Alex,

I suspect your clutch has disintegrated, hence the total loss of power. You may be able to whiff of clutch material. Replacing the clutch should be done as a complete set.

With the engine transfer you have had, it is not possible to know what clutch has been fitted to your vehicle. The only way to ascertain that, is by removing the gearbox. It would be unlikely, that the gear box has suffered, otherwise you would have heard a loud bang.

Can, who ever did the transfer; help you with this information?

The brake binding; check, the brake pedal mechanism, it could be seizing at the point of release. Next time your brake, try to lift the brake pedal with your toe to see if the brake releases quicker, this will confirm a seizure.

The transfer case oil leak is common on the “G”, if not serious as you say, just check your oil level, if over filled, let the excess drain out, otherwise satisfy your self, that the level is correct and periodically, check the level. You can, decrease the frequency of checking by the result you get on the amount of loss in between your checks. There are oil additives you can get that claim to stop oil leaks. There is a 50:50 chance of curing or developing the oil leak with these additives.

The gearbox area oil leak (dark in colour) could be the rear engine crank seal. This, you can replace when you renew your clutch. It could, even be an engine oil leak from the top side, tracking its way to drop down from the gearbox area showing similar signs of a crank shaft oil leak, so you need to make sure which it is, to avoid unnecessary repairs.

Oil blow back from the oil filler area is common on older engines, check the oil seal, if hardened, replace it. Check the engine breather, if clogged clean the gauze.

Assuming, the basics have been checked out, fuses and the like - yes, blower failure is also common, it could be the rheostat or the motor. This is a big job, some people here, by pass the motor replacement by fitting a Vauxhall Astra blower in the vent area. Otherwise, you are looking to gut the virtually, gut the dash to replace this.

Generally, speaking, the vehicle is reliable and offer good service, you just need to get past this “bad patch“.

The G-Wagen specialist in America are G-Wagen USA, their address: http://www.gwagen.com/flash.html

Cheers,

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Wed, 13/04/2011 - 11:46
#2
Jdring
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Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: New to G-Wagen! Problems :(

Hi Sobo,
My clutch has been rattling for about 15 years and still not deterioated much.  Its a 230GES. I tend to sit in traffic with my clutch pressed to stop it!  I tough it was a thrust plate on the way out,  but as I say it never seems to get worse.

I don't do much mileage these days, although about to use it daily again and am expecting some failures s a result, but generally I have have 20 years of 'almost' fault less service.  The most serious thing I had was a broken rdiator causing an overheat resulting in a head gasket replacement, skim and replacement rad.  2nd gear (manual) has always been a bit of a pig to engage witha notchy feel, but its OK.  As a 5 speed it drives like a car, with a bit of roll and treks about at 70mph OK, although I think I need a tune and service to perk her up now.  Petrol/Gas prices are a bt more of an issue here, but I get 13-18mpg without being cautious - I hear the 280 is less 'economical'.

I replied really just to say the blower failure is also common on the G 460s.  I made the mistake of tring to repair mine rather than fit a new of recon one, and as a result I have to take the entire dash out again to re-do it.  Something in the next few weeks I think.

Where in the US?  A G in the US is quite a status symbol, even an old one.  And actually, although you might think Merc parts are expensive there, I found it cheaper to buy stuff there and hand carry it back to the UK than pick it up here (provided I was on a trip there of course).  I once managed to bring back a complete exhaust - about 10 years ago and its still just about OK.

-jd

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