MikeT

I blasted up a 1775 metre pass at 120 km/h in 5th gear near redline in my fully laden remapped car when it was 38 degrees outside (at the bottom of the climb) and the engine temp peaked at 112 degrees but no more. Just as it should in extremis. That was several years ago and so far, so good at 183,000 km.

Should be good for another 180K I hope.

Car's still in the shop due to labour shortages....both rear wheel bearings were shot - I had one new in box and the other will have to come from the dealer. one sway bar drop link is shot. Engine mounts will go in soon....and a new thermostat. Suspension replacement is underway. A/C needs recharging and the two Schraeder valves are leaking so will be replaced. Brake fluid has too much water in it so the entire system will be flushed. Engine whine diagnosis not done yet, will happen once the car's back on its wheels. Oh yeah and the tires are old (and the rears are near the wear bars) so they'll be changed next year.

Petrolabs diesel fuel treatment!

Today we crossed the 350,000 km barrier. Next Mercedes grille badge comes at 500,000 so that will be at least a decade off.

Not sure we'd have Snowball back by then anyway. We're going with two others so we are not in total control of the agenda. Next time!

I'm only 15K km ahead of you and if you drive a bit more than 12K km a year then you may be catching up! I wonder if Mercedes still has crate long blocks available. I don't expect to change mine but it in theory should be a lot more economical than a rebuild.

Will do. As for this coming weekend, we will be going to the PNE with family on the 31st and home thereafter. Bringing the Mercedes over.

I'd like to get out to Alberta too. I think we may be too busy next weekend to make it out to the 'Wack.

Snowball is in the shop this week and likely next - they're short of mechanics and I may or may not have her back by that weekend. My wife wants to go to Vancouver for the PNE. I probably won't know for sure until late next week.

That I don't know but I do know someone whose gear wore out and the chain jumped and I don't recall a new head or valves being needed.

Sorry that happened. Is it one of the BRABUS nightruns? Which one?

The sky is crying Can't you see the tears roll down the street

Dropped the car off at M-B Nanaimo for: front A-Arms (supplied by me) font ball joints if needed (supplied by me) re-installation of the 30K km original springs and dampers (the BRABUS stuff is worn out) recharge A/C (receiver/dryer supplied by me, if needed) new rear bump stops - the BRABUS springs made it bottom out all the time so they're exploded. Not available from smart, got a set from my friend in Germany new drive belts and tensioner (the latter supplied by me, not available from smart) rear wheel bearing (supplied by me) New engine and transmission mounts (supplied by me) diagnose a whine in the alternator or belt tensioner It'll be there a couple of weeks due to a short staffing situation...

Today, it's back where it belongs.