Trusty rusty - victory run

[s class]

At the end of April, the Mercedes Benz Owner's club of South Africa held its AGM get-to-gether in George, on the southern coast of South Africa, about 1250km from Johannesburg where I stay.  I decided to indulge myself and go in the blue 6.9.  This was quite stressful, as this car had been in a poor condition when I got it, but I have since done a lot of work, but not much mileage at all.  Immediately prior to the trip, I replaced the timing chain, rebuilt the tensioner, and fitted new injectors.  I was still concerned about the 1976 water hoses, and the fact that the car still had very poor compression readings.  For the trip, I took with me a comprehensive selection of tools, 10 litres of engine oil, 3 litres of hydro fluid, 10 litres of water, 5 litres of ATF and the 6.9 emergency suspension blocks.  I figured I would be OK. 

The map below shows the route taken.  I went via Cape Town for family reasons, which added a fair bit of distance to the trip.  I did the red leg of the trip, Johannesburg to Cape Town in one go through the night - 1450km.  Hmmm.  Quite heavy going.  I did fuel stops approx every 400km, with the tank not yet empty, because in some places there are hundreds of km between service stations.  One must buy fuel where one can. 

After a couple of days in Cape Town, we travelled east (green leg) to George, for the Club AGM.  After that, a short leg (blue) to Plettenberg Bay to see a wildlife rehab facility.  Then the purple leg, 1250km, again through the night to get home. 

dateLocationmileagefuel quantityCostRands per Litrelitres per 100km
28/04/2009Johannesburg14984879.51R 575.65R 7.24OPENING FILL
28/04/2009Bloemfontein15025973.86R 549.52R 7.4417.97
29/04/2009Richmond, Karoo15064463.48R 473.61R 7.4616.49
29/04/2009Laingsburg15103268.02R 495.85R 7.2917.53
30/04/2009Cape Town15145674.12R 528.50R 7.1317.48
01/05/2009George15193986.45R 620.71R 7.1817.9
03/05/2009Tsitsikama15241483.6R 602.76R 7.2117.6
03/05/2009Cradock15283773.45R 539.12R 7.3417.36
04/05/2009Bloemfontein15326877.7R 578.10R 7.4418.03
04/05/2009Johannesburg153690END MILEAGE AT HOME

TOTAL DISTANCE : 3842km
AVERAGE CONSUMPTION : 17.55 litres/100km. 

[s class]

So why a victory run? 

Well, the oil level dropped only a few mm on the dipstick over that total distance.  Not a drop of any other fluid consumed or leaked. 

The car is still completely leak free!.

Based on the lack of oil consumption, it appears this engine was just gummed up before, and has now recovered. 

After all I've been through to get this car running, I was very proud to be standing in Cape Town with it, and having experienced no problems at all. 

[Big_Richard]

thats one heck of a drive

these cars are supposed to be driven, i bet it runs better after a good clean out like that.

[oscar]

Seeing that long straight section from Joberg, I have to ask what speed did you get up to?

That's great news on the fluids, but what a drive.  Any time I do a big trip (say over 1000km) which is rarer these days, my 350 seems to nag me with something I haven't attended to.  But it's never left me stranded.  That's some achievement for you to confidently do those long runs in bluey, albeit with fingers crossed perhaps and a sigh of relief when you got home.  You've saved it from being completely neglected and now it's given you a pat on the back.  Well done.

[s class]

Thanks guys.  The lines I've drawn on the map are a simplification, and there are some twisty bits.  But the red leg in particular, especially the second half through the Karoo desert is nearly dead straight.  Yes, the trip was quite quick   - considering which, I actually think the consumption figures are rather good. 

[robertd]

Hi Ryan,

Congratulations on what seems to have been a very successful run in the 69.

The fuel consumption is line with what I get out of my low comp. Aussie spec car, even on a good run.

The Euro High comp. car it tends to use about 16lt per 100 kms.

Any how its all about having fun

Regards Robert

[s class]

Indeed, lots of fun 

[s class]

Trusty rusty in action - photo taken by a fellow club member during one of the outings of the weekend of the club gathering. 

[nathan]

3800km!!! holy crap. that is the longest run iver ever heard of in a 6.9!  thats almost across australia!
VERY VERY IMPRESSIVE!
regards