s class
New Member
Well, when I bought my 280SE back in 1997, it was aparent that there was some 'sweating' visible around the oil pressure indicator needle in the combination gauge. At that time I was ignorant about the 'live' pressure gauge behind there, and didn't think anything of it. Over the next few years, I removed the cluster a couple of times for various reasons (such as a failed ignition switch contactor barrel).
On those occasions, I could see the progress of the developing fault - clearly the pressure gauge was leaking - the gauge itself, and not the connection at its rear. Anyhow it got to the point that oil stains were visible behind the high beam, handbrake etc warning lights, and there was a general oiliness soaking the cabling, ducting etc behind the binnacle. Really not nice. But its been like that for 10 years, so I just lived with it - until about 2 months ago - its suddenly got worse to the point that oil was coming out the ducting that leads to the driver's door internal ventilation - and there was a small swiming pool of oil behind the plexiglass of the combination guage. The final straw was when the oil started dripping onto the steering column, and running down, through the firewall and dripping out onto the floor by the steering box.
This weekend I removed the cluster, and stripped it completely. I degreased every component, and rebuilt it using a combination gauge saved from a parts car 280S. What a pleasure not to have oil coming out everywhere. the RHS of the dash is still a mess underneath, but it will live that way until I remove it for replacement during the upcoming respray.
On those occasions, I could see the progress of the developing fault - clearly the pressure gauge was leaking - the gauge itself, and not the connection at its rear. Anyhow it got to the point that oil stains were visible behind the high beam, handbrake etc warning lights, and there was a general oiliness soaking the cabling, ducting etc behind the binnacle. Really not nice. But its been like that for 10 years, so I just lived with it - until about 2 months ago - its suddenly got worse to the point that oil was coming out the ducting that leads to the driver's door internal ventilation - and there was a small swiming pool of oil behind the plexiglass of the combination guage. The final straw was when the oil started dripping onto the steering column, and running down, through the firewall and dripping out onto the floor by the steering box.
This weekend I removed the cluster, and stripped it completely. I degreased every component, and rebuilt it using a combination gauge saved from a parts car 280S. What a pleasure not to have oil coming out everywhere. the RHS of the dash is still a mess underneath, but it will live that way until I remove it for replacement during the upcoming respray.