Running on plain Water and WVO??? Only at ebay! - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ccooper · #46 11-29-2007, 02:19 AM

I just happened upon this thread and couldn't resist putting my 2¢ in. As of today (11/28) this car is still listed on eBay. Guess they haven't found the right sucker yet.

First, as others have pointed out, there is no way this has only 115K miles. As to the speedo being replaced, AFAIK, the '82 models only had them going up to 85MPH, not the 120MPH shown. However, there are some other things I noticed, which can apply to anyone looking to buy a W126. Here are some of the wear indicators:

Excessive wear on instruments. The hazard switch has the triangle rubbed off. Could it be from having the hazard lights on whilst pulled over due to mechanical failure? The turn signal switch likewise has the graphics rubbed off. The window switches all have the characteristic "white dot" that usually only shows up in the driver's window switch. The only reason one would every put down all four windows is if the A/C stopped working. Don't ask how I know ...

Interior trim breakdowns. Notice how the back of the wood shift console is sticking up? That's a sure telltale the plastic crossmember under which it should be hooked has broken, and happens when some gorilla of a mechanic pulls it out. Why it would need to be done on a "115K" mile car is beyond me. I like how they also filled in the giant crack in the dash, just to the right of the instrument cluster.

Wear and tear inconsistent with low miles. Look at how dirty everything is, especially in the carpeting in the driver's area. But also, it's filthy around the back seat, indicating lots of passengers. Also, they apparently changed out some of it because the "new" stuff is less faded than the other. While the crumpled window trim is normal for the pre-86 vehicles, it's usually found on ones with 200K + miles. The passenger seat also has significant wear on it, even more than the driver's seat. Weird.

Outside trim. The rocker panels are warped, and painted the wrong color (they were never black, just tones of grey or beige - see below). The taillights have been cursorily cleaned. The paint is obviously brand new, probably the $99 Earl Scheib special. The euro headlights are clouded - either purchased very used or purchased new with years of service.

The conversion itself is a joke. Electrically heated coolant and WVO? I didn't see anything at the Goldenrod filter, which I know not to be heated. Of course, there were all those mystery lines in the engine compartment. The deficiencies there speak for themselves and have been spoken for in previous posts.

My bottom line? This is obviously a car that had a hard life and the guy is putting lipstick on a pig. Even without all the conversions, I wouldn't care to purchase this vehicle. Either it has 115K really hard miles on it, or it has some undetermined amount. It's amazing how much this car tells its story with just some careful observation from the photographs. If this is "professionally restored", I would fire the so-called professional. Caveat Emptor.

Casey

dukegrad98 · #47 11-30-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

The water injection system that I mentioned above supposedly did help, but it was completely different. I wish I could remember the name.

It was modified to run six strokes per cycle: intake, compression, power, compression, water injection, power, exhaust. The water was injected with something that resembled a diesel injector at the top of the second compression stroke. Supposedly it was very efficient and ran very cool (no coincidence there) but was still in the research stage.

Yep, I've seen this too. Crower built it -- the guy behind Crower cams -- if memory serves. It's a six-cycle engine, alternating between diesel combustion and pure liquid water injection to use a steam cycle. Obviously the steam cycle makes less power, but it also results in enough cooling that the prototype engine required no radiator. Of course, you have to carry two tanks -- one for fuel and one for purified water.

It's a very interesting idea, and the fact that it's running in prototype rather than just in whitepapers is even cooler.

Cheers, John

vstech · #48 11-30-2007, 10:44 AM

hey,
has anybody seen the honda I think commercial about the hybrid car with zero emmissions other than water? is this a hydrogen fuel cel hybrid? anybody wanna research it?

MayorDJQ · #49 11-30-2007, 04:29 PM

I emailed the guy with a few questions: engine pics, lack of air cleaner assembly, pics and/or documentation of HHO system. I'm not expecting a reply.

Anybody notice the bald tires? Also, the hood doesn't seem to line up very well on the driver's side near the windshield. The back corner seems to be sticking up. The nice shiny paint job may be the result of an accident or other damage. Also, there seems to be several scuffs on the driver's door.

MayorDJQ · #50 11-30-2007, 10:49 PM

Here's the email I sent this clown:

Hi-

Quote:

I have a few questions about this car. Do you have any pics or documentation of the HHO system? Also, pics of the engine compartment? An earlier version of the auction showed one shot of the engine missing the entire air filter assembly. What's the story with that?

Here's his response:

Quote:

Hi Patrick,
I do not want to show my HHO system to the public, before my patent is at least patent pending. I typically take the air filter off for better performance of the car. For that earlier pic, I forgot to put the air filter back on, and that is why I removed the pic from this auction. I can take a pic for you and send it to you via email if you are interrested. Feel free to call me with any other questions. John

No air filter = better performance.....maybe, but why prematurely ruin one of the best engines ever engineered?

Not willing to show pics of the HHO system? If it walks like a scam and quacks like a scam....

Hopefully eBay will shut this auction down.

Hatterasguy · #51 12-01-2007, 01:35 AM

This car is probably a roll back. The wear inside says 200k-300k miles, and lots of sun. Plus its been rear ended, notice the rear bumper. The paint job is an interesting color, certainly not factory so look for rust.

If it was screwed up with all that crap, it would be a good driver for $2k or so.

The speedo is also incorrect, 82's had an 85mph guage, its probably got like 250k miles on it.

All in all a nice parts car when the engine blows, I call the euro lights!

badgator · #52 12-01-2007, 03:54 PM

Popular Science magazine had Crower's (from Crower Cams) "water injection system" for diesels in July 07? mag. It actually is a very simple system ( it has a 3rd valve and a injector for water in the cylinder , 3rd valve recycles steam back to water), water only (no fuel) is injected every other cycle turning to steam - and power for basically free - steam is then recycled, I got a free year of PS mag after reading this. It did get more MPG, forgot how much. Go to the library and check it out.

#53 12-02-2007, 05:13 AM

Different idea. This car is using water to make hydrogen through electrolysis.

Cervan · #54 12-02-2007, 11:07 AM

air...filter... honestly if your going to buy a car for 5k and you open the hood and it has no air filter... i walk away.

swinggrrly · #55 01-29-2008, 06:39 PM

I am embarrassed to admit it, but I got suckered big time by John & Heidi Harrison, dba Green Benz LLC in Los Angeles. They sent me a completely different car than what they advertised, and of course have now refused to refund my money. eBay is no help. They just retracted the negative rating I left and allowed him to keep selling his pieces of junk to other naive and unsuspecting buyers like myself. He has already been sued successfully once, he is currently being sued by another eBay buyer, and I am in the process of suing him myself. If he doesn't refund my money, I also plan to file criminal charges against him. Because auction fraud is technically a felony, he could do jail time if convicted. I'd love to see that! The police officer who took my report says I have a slam dunk case. I just need to go through the proper procedure (aka red tape).

If anyone has had any contact with these people, please contact me immediately at swinggrrly@yahoo.com. They must be stopped!

If you happen to KNOW them, you can tell them from me that I will not rest until they are behind bars, even if I never see one penny of the money they stole from me! And I'm not the only one...

Thanks

ccooper · #56 01-30-2008, 01:30 AM

Swingrrly - Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with so-called Green Benz. You mentioned John & Heidi Harrison. Here is their address.

3171 Larga Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

I obtained it from the California Secretary of State's web site. I noticed they forgot to include their street address on the "contact us" section in their web site. Unfortunately, these folks are proof that carpetbaggers come out everywhere, for anything.

Good luck with your legal action against them. If these jackasses can be made into an example, perhaps the TRUE biofuels movement can gain more credibility.

Casey

ccooper · #57 01-30-2008, 01:46 AM

I couldn't resist adding this post. From the "Green Benz" website.

Quote:

We install an ingenious filter housing which acts as a heater/separator/filter, and replaces the car's original fuel filtering system. The filter housing is fluid heated by tapping into the coolant system of the car, and using heat that would otherwise be wasted to keep the fuel at a viscose temperature. The filter housing then separates any water, or contaminants out of the fuel, and in the final stage, filters it down to 2 microns before sending it to your injector pump.

Another incredible feature of this filter housing is that it has a clear plexiglass dome head, which allows you to see through it. You can actually see the fuel, and condition of the filter, so there is no guessing game on when to change it. This filter housing replaces your original 'screw-on' fuel filter, and your clear inline fuel filter, so you never have to replace them again, simply keep an eye on the new filter housing's filter.

It's a DAVCO housing, and DAVCO did the R&D for this. I think the furthest DAVCO went in the direction of this drivel was to call their apparatus "Seeing is believing." But the quoted stuff is true fluff. And I'm talking in the context of the "fluffer" on the porno movie set - the (woman) who uses certain manipulations to make sure the male leads are ready for the next, uh ... shot.

"If you can't dazzle them with the facts, baffle them with bulls**t." If you find yourself shoveling, walk away. Quickly.

pwogaman · #58 01-30-2008, 08:55 AM

Just a few more observations:

The rear head rests have a dark bead, but the front ones do not (a retro-fit).

The lower passenger side cover (under the glove box) is loose.

The oil blow-by line simply dumps into the turbo without any oil/air separation - you can see the oil collecting in the turbo inlet (will blow significant smoke and constantly loose oil).

The fan shroud is cracked (engine replacement?).

Back glass defroster death.

The air filter bracket itself is gone, probably cracked from worn engine shocks.

Climate control buttons are loose indicating a possible problem there.

Turn signal switch shaft appears sun bleached, probably replaced (consistent with steering wheel star misalignment).

No, or incomplete, driver's seat control switch (look at photo through sunroof).

Cracked dash still visible through sunroof photo.

vstech · #59 01-30-2008, 09:32 AM

it's abysmal that this seller is allowed to keep his listing active on this one... we all know where the crack is on the dash, don't tip off the seller of the pic that shows it!
you can't even contact the seller on this auction unless you bid on the car! unless you want to contact him directly with your email account. the glaring falsehoods on this auction are disturbing. I sure would like those headlights though...

bustedbenz · #60 01-30-2008, 09:45 AM

"...Plus if you can't find vegetable oil you have the convenience of filling up like normal with regular diesel, bio diesel, plant-based oils(vegetable oil), or any blend of the three!"

So..... great writing style.

If you can't find veggie oil, use either
1. Diesel
2. Biodiesel
3. Veggie oil!