Interior
Detailing Your Mercedes for Professional Results with Less Effort
Using the right methods and products are the key to the amazing results
What's wrong with my Mercedes?
Interior Problems
Interior
Ridding Your Interior of Ugly Spots and Stains
The key is in using the right products and techniques. Let Kent show you how.
Interior
Door Panel Removal
Can be frustrating and a little mysterious if you have not done it before
Interior
W210 Chassis Door Related Problems
It all starts with the proper procedure for removing the door panel
Interior
Adequate Lighting When Working Inside Your Car
Indoor lighting can be difficult. Kent has recently found the ultimate solution.
Interior
How to Fix Worn Color on Leather Seats
Get the right products and make a lasting repair yourself
Electrical Problems
Electrical
Troubleshooting an Electrical Problem
Unknown battery drain, electrical shorts, blown fuses - these can be difficult to isolate!
Electrical
Engine Won't Turn Over When It Sits Overnight
Do not assume it is just a bad battery! Diagnose first...
Electrical
Inaccurate or Erratic Fuel Gauge
This could be caused by one or even a combination of three things.
Electrical
Charging a Totally Dead Battery
Some chargers won't start the charge cycle without some help
Electrical
Properly Maintaining an Old Car Battery
Neglect is probably the No. 1 Cause of your Benz not starting
Electrical
How to Connect a Battery Maintainer / Tender up to the Newer Models
That have a different style battery clamp
Electrical
Buffing and Sanding in Tight Places
This is one of Kent’s favorite tools to have around the shop
Electrical
Cleaning Up Ugly Battery Post Corrosion
You can do it with commercial products or something in the cupboard
Electrical
Pulling DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) from the Check Engine Light
Using an inexpensive code reader or scan tool is not difficult
Engine Problems
Engine
Preventing Bolt or Thread Seizure
A special compound should be used - especially with steel bolts in aluminum threads
Engine
Worn Out Engine Motor Mounts
How to determine if they need replacement
Engine
Removing a Broken Off Glow Plug
Not easy by any means. Options and ways to prevent it are listed here.
Engine
Keeping Things in Place - On and Off a Car
This is Kent's favorite
Engine
Cleaning Large Engine Parts
You actually may not need a large tank to thoroughly clean them
Engine
How to Determine the Real Condition of a Used Engine
It is best if you can see and hear it run - if not some tests are essential
Engine
They Said it Only Needed a Head Gasket!
If the engine has been overheated it is almost never "just a head gasket"
Engine
How to Restore the Paint on Your Black Engine and Chassis Parts
With the right paint and technique YOU can do it yourself!
Engine
Where in the World Can You Get a Good Shop Light?
You may have to make your own like Kent did...:-)
Engine
Are There Better Shop Work Lights Out There?
Kent has been inspired to design his own series of ultimate shop lights
Engine
Cleaning an Old Dirty Oily Diesel Engine
There is a better and cleaner way!
Engine
Should I Buy a Cheap Mercedes?
6 part video series on reasons why you should or shouldn't
Engine
Avoiding Internal Engine Corrosion
You neglect the maintenance here and you WILL pay the price
Engine
How to Easily Add Life to Your Old Benz
You can do it with magnets!
Engine
Diesel Engine Shut Off / Stop Problems - A Quick Reference Solutions Guide
Summary list of the most common causes and parts needed to fix them Part 3 of 5
Engine
Using the Wrong Gasket Sealant
If you use RTV you can create some real problems
Engine
Keeping Your Engine and Engine Compartment Clean and Detailed
Are you concerned about damage to the electrical components and sensitive electronics?
Engine
Changing Oil in My 1998 to 2006 Mercedes
A simple procedure if you have the V6 (M112) or the V8 (M113) Engine
Engine
How to do OVER THE TOP Engine Compartment Detailing
It takes work but with the right products and techniques you will be amazed
Engine
Temporary or Emergency Repair Kit Contents? - Especially When on the Road
Here are some of Kent's favorites - most you should carry in your trunk
Engine
Draining Oil Out of Your Engine
The best way is to use an oil extractor
Engine
What Oil and Fitler to Use? How Often Should I Change It?
These questions become more important with the long oil change intervals associated with Synthetic Engine Oil
Engine
Buying a Used Mercedes Quick Check No. 1
Your inspection should always include this
Engine
Breaking Free Frozen Hex Bolts: Part 1
At all costs avoid rounding out the hex head of the bolt!
Engine
Troubleshooting Front Engine Noises on Newer Models
It will require the removal of the serpentine belt
Engine
How to Tell if Your Thermostat is Failing?
Monitor your engine temperature gauge in the morning for telltale signs.
Body and Exterior Trim Problems
Body and Exterior Trim
Finding Interior Color Codes
Location of the three digit numerical code and translation here
Body and Exterior Trim
What is Causing Excessive Moisture in My Trunk
It could be coming from a number of places for a number of reasons
Body and Exterior Trim
How to Protect Your Car's Paint When Working on the Engine?
Nothing is better than a good thick fender cover
Body and Exterior Trim
Buying a Newer Used Mercedes Loaded with Computers
It is not as scary as you would think and the deals out there are amazing
Body and Exterior Trim
Getting Your Car to REALLY Shine
There is one amazing product Kent recently found that polishes it all!
Body and Exterior Trim
Removing Plastic Body Fasteners
The right tool can do the job without damage
Body and Exterior Trim
Avoiding Expensive Mistakes Buying a Used Mercedes Benz
The best way to save money is to buy the right car in the first place
Body and Exterior Trim
Preventing Pre-mature Failure of Key Mechanical Components
Anyone want to guess what the secret is???
Body and Exterior Trim
Filling a Dent with Minimal Effort
Put the body filler on in two phases and manage the time when you grate and sand it
Body and Exterior Trim
How to Get a Benz to REALLY Shine
Kent recently discovered one product that shines above all the rest
Body and Exterior Trim
What is the Best Older Mercedes Benz to Buy?
Kent believes there is no one correct answer. Just too many options...lol
Body and Exterior Trim
Priming a Repaired Dent on a Budget
You don't have to use expensive spray equipment or 2 part expensive primer
Body and Exterior Trim
Why Drive a Mercedes Benz?
Until you have driven one it is hard to explain
Body and Exterior Trim
How to Get a Deep Shine on Older Faded Paint
In most cases it is a two step process - especially if your paint is faded.
Lights Problems
Lights
Moisture Buildup Inside Your Headlights
This can happen on a number of models for a number of reasons
Rust / Corrosion Problems
Rust / Corrosion
How to Prevent Miracle Paint from Getting Hard in the Container
You have to keep the air away from it
Rust / Corrosion
Stopping Small Areas of Rust BEFORE They Become Holes in The Body
It is all about prevention. Remember rust never sleeps!
Rust / Corrosion
Fixing Rust: Learning the Many Uses of Miracle Paint
It works on any type of rust - on any iron based metal - on any vehicle or part
Climate Control Problems
Climate Control
Dirty Cabin Air Filters 1996 to 2006
Where are they located and how do you change them yourself?
Climate Control
Location and Replacement of Cabin Air Fitlers
These really get neglected and they are easy DIY
Vacuum Problems
Vacuum
Keeping Mice Out of Your Car
Double check for damage and use a product to scare them away
Suspension Problems
Suspension
Worn Front Lower Sway Bar Bushings
Replacement is an easy and inexpensive DIY repair that improves handling
Suspension
No Room to Install a New Shift Rod Bushing on the Transmission
Sometimes you can only do it with our special tool - a few occasions you have to drop the rear of the tranny
Suspension
Clunking Noise In Rear Suspension When Going Over Bumps
It could be a number of things including shock absorbers
Suspension
W210 4matic Front Shock Replacement
This can be one super tough and expensive job without the right tool and know how
Brake Problems
Brake
Extracting Fluid from Brake Reservoir, Power Steering Reservoir and Automatic Transmission
After looking for years Kent has finally come up with the ideal no-spill fluid extractor
Brake
Losing Brake Fluid During Brake Hose and Caliper Replacement
Some simple precautions can save a big mess and ease brake system bleeding
Brake
Protecting Your Health When Working on Brake Systems
This is not to be taken lightly!
Brake
Excessive Brake Pad Dust on Your Alloy Wheels
Can the problem really be solved? Kent has been on the hunt for a solution.
Brake
Chasing Brake and Clutch Fluid Leaks
If you are losing brake fluid the source must be found quickly
Brake
Replacing Flexible Rubber Brake Hoses - ALL models
If over 15 years old then this is a must do job to prevent braking problems!
Transmission Problems
Transmission
Measuring Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
Minor frustration for most of us who service our own transmissions
Transmission
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
There is a proper way to do this to determine proper level inside transmission
Transmission
Filling an Automatic Transmission to the Correct Level
A medium frustration for most of us who service our own transmissions
Transmission
Dealing with an Over Filled Automatic Transmission
A major frustration for most of us who service our own transmissions
Transmission
How to Check the Fluid Level in Mercedes 722.6 "Sealed for Life" Transmission
1998 to 2006 W202 W203 W204 W210 W211 W220 and M Class
Transmission
1998 to 2006 722.6 Automatic Transmission Shifting Problems
If your transmission locks up in 2nd gear and won't shift there is hope!
Fuel Delivery Problems
Fuel Delivery
Diagnosing Diesel Engine Fuel Injectors
How do you know if they are bad? If they have not been recently rebuilt they probably are!!!
Driveline and rear end Problems
Driveline and rear end
Installing Shift Rod Bushings - What Does Not Work
Nothing like having the right tool
Driveline and rear end
Worn Out Rear Axles
Best way to test them is out of the car on the bench