Kent's Factory Service Manuals collection is going on sale now. CLICK HERE.
Learn all the tricks to adjusting the valves on your older Mercedes V8 engine.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a complete instructional video on how to install a new timing chain in a 1970 to 1991 M116 or M117 Mercedes V8 engine. Rather it is a collection of "tips" to help you prevent running into trouble when doing this job yourself.
In this video, Kent will walk you through some initial steps you can take to try to solve a rough running problem on an early Mercedes V8 engine with D-Jetronic fuel injection. Please note that this is an introductory troubleshooting video. It does not contain any actual repair information.
For all 3.5, 3.8, and 4.2 liter V8 engines from 1969 to 1991 280SE 3.5, 300SEL 3.5, 380SE, 380SEC, 380SEL, 380SL and 420SEL. These THREE are the upper (and easily accessible) plastic guide rails that most often break due to age and heat.
This can happen when you least expect it! It happened to me right when I purchased a W109 300SEL and it can be really frustrating.
This super fine cloth along with Miracle Paint can really do some fine rust repair detailing. You can use it on a rough pitted area that you want to smooth out. Put on a couple layers of cloth and coat with Miracle Paint. Let dry and block sand.
This is a must-have if you have a prized Benz or any car you don't drive often!! If you let any of your cars sit for long periods ( generally over 30 days) without driving them, you can ruin your battery, especially if you let it go completely dead.
Exceptionally nice set of high-performance spark wires as shown. These should be replaced approximately every 80,000 miles for peak performance.
If you are a 1969 to 1991 V8 you should have some extras of these on hand. They are inexpensive and should be replaced anytime you remove your valve covers. The gaskets will keep a good seal longer than the bolt washers.
These will fit all 1970 to 1975 3.5 and 4.5 V8 engines with D-Jetronic fuel injection (electronic). Do not use NGK, Platinum or any other kind of "special" spark plug. You will be sorry. Use only these Bosch Super plugs.
One of the most often neglected easy and inexpensive maintenance items I see on gas engines. Why do people think that spark plugs will last forever or that it doesn't matter what type of plug is used! Aren' they all created equal?
This is a VERY common maintenance item on the older Mercedes V8 engines. If they are too old they will leak. If they are not put on properly they will leak. If you do any maintenance (ie, valve adjustment, clip replacement, timing chain, guides, etc), you should have this kit on hand.
You can not believe how many problems Kent has seen over the years as a result of the camshaft oiler tube falling off inside the valve cover! It is held on by inexpensive small plastic clips and guess what happens after 15 to 20 years? Yes, that is correct.
Kent will show you the proper way to remove and replace a V8 valve cover gasket so you won't have oil leaks after installing a new one. This is a common maintenance item.
I do not need to say much about this tool. Well made and well thought out. Someone who obviously was frustrated at scratching the finish on his or her alloy wheels came up with this idea. Watch the video below to see why this is now my favorite go it 17 mm lug bolt socket.
Works on W114, W115, R107, W116, W123 and W126. A better performing and more comfortable 14mm hex wrench to use when changing the fluid in your rear end. Will work on manual transmission with 14mm drain plug only. Watch the video to see why.
These are the instructions that come with our black engine and chassis paint restoration kit, but they will help you successfully spray paint almost anythings. These step-by-step techniques were developed by Kent over almost 60 years of spray painting cars and parts.
UPS GROUND ONLY: This is the best spray can paint Kent has found to detail the semi-gloss black parts on your Benz. It is not easy to find a good spray can paint!
2 large style clamps to be used on upper and lower radiator hoses. Use these to replace your thermostat or water pump without having to drain all your coolant out of the radiator. Works on medium size coolant hoses also.
This on-demand training video will walk you through the steps you need to follow in order to get your headliner panel off so you can work on the sunroof. If your sunroof won't open, you are stuck - right? Not SO according to Kent.
If you have been enjoying Kent's free Youtube videos but have not yet purchased and watched one of his on-demand "meat and potatoes" videos, we guarantee you are really missing something.
In this video instruction Kent will show you how he installs our battery tender kit in a W124 Mercedes.
This 24 minute on demand training video comes with our injector back flush cleaning kit. You can purchase this video separately, but please keep in mind you will not have any of the tools or supplies to complete this procedure yourself.
With these old gas fuel injectors, sometimes you just have to "back flush" the insides to restore them to peak performance. There is no guarantee that back flush cleaning will restore every old gasoline mechanical fuel injector. Some are just plain worn out.
Over the years I have used lots of different methods to clean off rust before applying Miracle Paint. This is the best and quickest method I have found. This is a great tool that can be used for many other things like cleaning off brake hubs and rotors.
These early “short style” electric fuel pumps are very prone to leaking fuel because the rubber case o-ring seals harden with age. New pumps are no longer available and rebuilt are VERY expensive! If you risk buying a used one it will probably end up leaking or seeping fuel too.
This 28 minute on demand video manual will take you through the step-by-step procedure for taking the upper (motor section) of a short MFI fuel pump apart and replacing three o-rings that are prone to hardening and leaking fuel.
We have been looking for a long time to find a super strong and well made tool to adjust those tough 17 mm ball adjuster sockets on the early 4 and 6 clyinder gas engines.
This U.S.A. made 17 mm 8 inch long combination wrench is custom modified here in our shop to help you easily install Bilstein front and rear shocks on most of the older model Mercedes Benz.
After years of "fighting" fuse replacement, Kent finally decided he had had enough! And so was born another special tool. It is designed to securely grab hold of a ceramic fuse, remove it from it, and replace it with minimal exertion and no damage.
These are the instructions that come with Kent's brake pad and brake caliper service kit. It is possible to make your own service kit by watching this video. To purchase the kit see related products below. To learn more about the importance of this kit watch the video below:
Brakes are one of the most often neglected maintenance items on older cars. This is not just related to Mercedes Benz. Most owners don’t realize that brakes need special attention and service not only when pads are changed but every 2 years.
This is a collection of SPECIAL tools Kent has put together to help you grab, twist, and pull on things in and around your Mercedes. He makes each one of these tools right here in his shop.
This is a very high quality finish wrench set. The 13mm combination wrench that is 8 inches long. The 17mm has a ratcheting box end great for alternators, bumpers, etc. and is 11 inches long. The 18mm for 1996+ models is also 11 inches long.
Want to try to make your car's engine and engine compartment look like it just came off the showroom? Would you like detailed information on the chemicals, brushes, tools, and procedures Kent uses to get his engine compartments looking so nice?
Valve adjustment is often neglected on many of the mid 1950's to early 1970's 6 cylinder single overhead camshaft gas engines. If it has been years since any adjustment was made, there will be problems - Kent can guarantee it!!!
These are all 3/8 inch drive hex sockets. All are the same length 11 cm total length. These are great to have with the short hex just won't reach long enough.
The 1/4 inch drive sizes include 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 5.5 and 6mm. The 3/8 inch drive sizes include 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12mm.
Indications that your seal needs replacing are tears in the lip and no resistance when you close your trunk. If you trunk snaps shut too easily it means the seal has collapsed and is no longer sealing properly.
This 12 page instructional downloadable booklet by Kent Bergsma covers brake bleeding equipment and procedures for all model Mercedes from the mid 1950s to the mid 1990s. This covers chassis Ponton 110 111 112 113 108 109 114 115 116 107 116 123 126 201 and 124.
If a car has sat outside in the elements for long periods and has not been washed or waxed in months there are some things you need to do BEFORE you apply the buffer to the body and the final wax to the paint. This is where you will need some real "elbow grease."
If your engine is just running hot, it may be due to a plugged radiator or possibly a stuck thermostat. If your engine is just losing coolant it could be a leak in the water pump, radiator or hoses.
In this video Kent will show you how to rid your car of those less than attractive rock chips and other paint flaws from door dings and general scratches. He will walk you through the paint and supplies you will need and then demonstrate step-by-step using a 2000 S500 and a 2000 E320 wagon.
In this video Kent explains some of the key reasons for poor battery contact and loss of voltage to important electrical components. If you want your later model Mercedes to run a peak performance pay attention to your battery.
When Kent set out to find a good fender cover for his own use he and Kaia decided to make it available to our customers. Who doesn't like a good soft fender cover that stays in place? We know red shows the grease more than black but you have to admit these are a knockout!
Do you have a manual or power sunroof that is working poorly or maybe not at all? Does it move slowly in the morning, but when it heats up during the day it works just fine? Do you have to assist it by hand to get it fully opened or closed?
5 page digital PDF Instructions include multiple pictures to assist you in completing the job. Clear and detailed with tips and tricks from Kent Bergsma's years of experience.
We also highly recomend the Ultimate Flexible Brake Hose tool to complete the job. Look below to view.
Older Mercedes have a very effective emergency brake design which was virtually the same on all models from the late 1960s right up through the early 1990s. The actuating mechanisms are all mechanical and are controlled by a Y cable under the car.