Sunday, April 29, 2018

DEFUSED

Today I finally took the time to replace all the aluminum fuses in Johnny's fuse box with proper brass ones. I could say BIG BRASS ONES, but that would just be bragging. I was pleasantly surprised to find the contacts were relatively free of corrosion even though the fuses themselves showed obvious corrosion on the surface.

Afterwards we went for a short drive, but first I put some Liqui Moly Valve Clean in the nearly full gas tank. I know there is a lot of debate as to whether this kind of fuel system treatment does any good or not, but I could swear Johnny was running just a bit smoother than before after adding the Liqui Moly.

Once back in the garage a little spit and polish was required to remove the dead bugs and a quick dusting with my California Car Duster and Johnny is ready to go back under the cover once the engine has cooled. I must say I was a bit skeptical of all the reviews I read about the California Car Duster, especially considering how much it costs, but I will say it is by far the best dusting tool I have ever used. They've been around a long time and I now wish I would have purchased one a long time ago.

There is a small leak from the engine bay and I'm not sure at this point if it is from the power-steering pump or where. I need to get Johnny up on a lift to investigate further. I know it's an old car, but leaks drive me to drink, so I will have to do something about it.

In other Mercedes-Benz news, we got my E350 Cabrio back from the body shop on Friday. It was in to repair a large dent in the driver's side door that some neanderthal put in it when she opened her door into ours at the vets office a couple of weeks ago. There is no way she did not know what she did, but the bitch and her dog drove off anyway. Of course the vet's office would not give us her name. I thought about calling the police because it was obvious the cost of repair would be significant, but I didn't. It turned out to be $600, $100 of which came out of my pocket and the rest out of the insurance company's coffers.

I also had the rear bumper resprayed at my own expense. It had been resprayed three years before by another shop because of a poor repair when it was with its previous owner and some of the paint had gone a bit off color, which was really annoying to me. Plus I put a big gouge on the top of the paint when I carelessly haul by suitcase out one day, so it was time. That job I paid for out of my own pocket.

Anyway, I decided to take care of a number of rock chips on the hood/bonnet and having purchased the correct white touch-up paint from the dealer last week I went to town. My technique is to use a toothpick to dip in the paint and fill the chip and then lay a small piece of Saran Wrap (cling wrap) over the spot until it is fully dry dome hours later. I may leave it on overnight this time, just for grins. I find as the paint dries the wrap helps smooth the paint out and helps it dry level with the surface of the undamaged paint. These are just small chips and I have not tried this method with larger gouges or scratches.

That's about it for here in the Old Dominion.

Cheers!

At times like this you wish you had a gun.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

DEBUTANT

Out of the shop on Friday and onto the display grounds on Saturday (14 April).

The final items addressed were the timing chain, guides and tensioner (all replaced), the recalcitrant right seat belt retractor (still not cooperating), the cruise control, (new amplifier required/replaced), new water pump, thermostat and associated hardware (I decided to have this replaced prophylactically while the radiator was out for the timing chain replacement), new suspension pump (the old one was leaking) and the EHA Valve was replaced (leaking as well).

The car was then detailed and put aside until showtime.

Johnny's first show was the WBCC British & European Car Show held last Saturday on High Street in Williamsburg, Virginia. There were about 150 cars total in attendance and and about six or seven MB's, including Johnny. Unfortunately, Johnny did not drive away with any hardware, but considering the competition that is no surprise.

The day was warm and very windy, which exacerbated the amount of yellow pollen in the air. We found ourselves dusting off our cars every 20 minutes or so. In hindsight, I probably made a mistake leaving the front windows and trunk open for display purposes as the pollen got into every corner and crevice. I spent this morning cleaning that up.

A few shots below:

Departing for the show. 

 Showtime at the Apollo

In good company 

The green 300 SL to Johnny's right is a hand built reproduction.
It is truly amazing.

Good neighbors

First responders. Thanks for all you do.

Popular attraction. We received a lot of positive comments and WOWs!

Look close and you can see the layer of yellow pollen on the black seats.

We had a few naysayers and doubting Thomas' question Johnny's provenance.
Fuck 'em.

Long Overdue

I can't believe it's been two years since I posted anything about Johnny. Just as with the rest of you it's be a tumultuous time...