These 7 problems can cause breakdowns in your Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda

The iconic Pagoda 230 SL, 250 SL, and 280 SL are dream cars for many enthusiasts. With these classic Mercedes SL models, you can travel safely and reliably across Belgium and even Europe, provided they are in excellent technical condition. However, in practice, we often observe that owners are not fully aware of the most common issues affecting their Mercedes W113. As a result, problems are frequently only addressed when a breakdown occurs, which is unfortunate. By reading this article, you can take proactive steps to prevent these common issues.

This article highlights the most frequent problems we encounter in practice and focuses on the following models:

Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
Mercedes-Benz 250 SL
Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

To help you prevent and address these issues, Terrijn Classics has developed a comprehensive Mercedes-Benz Health Check. For more information, please refer to the details at the bottom of this page.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

1. injection problems

The Mercedes-Benz W113 uses a fuel injection system with a line pump. This system is quite robust and generally very reliable. Most issues we encounter arise from incorrect adjustments or significant wear of certain components. This can lead to problems such as unstable or incorrect idle speed, difficulty starting the engine, stalling while driving, a strong smell of gasoline, high fuel consumption, low power, and more. Often, many of these problems can be resolved by adjustments made by a classic Mercedes specialist. System knowledge, experience, and the right calibration tools are crucial in this process.

2. fuel pump

The fuel pump transports gasoline from the fuel tank to the engine at the front with the correct pressure. This pump is located at the bottom of the vehicle in both the Mercedes 230 SL, 250 SL, and 280 SL, making it highly susceptible to weather conditions and flying debris. An aging and worn fuel pump will often become unstable in its operation, causing the engine to experience problems due to a lack of fuel. This can ultimately lead to a breakdown, often resulting in the vehicle needing to be towed.

3. deteriorated rubber hoses

Proactively inspecting rubber hoses is something that every owner of a Mercedes SL classic car should do regularly. Deteriorated hoses can lead to breakdowns, engine damage, and even fire, especially when it comes to fuel lines. The most common issues we encounter are with brake flex hoses, coolant hoses, fuel lines, and power steering system hoses. Pagodas with an automatic transmission also frequently have deteriorated flex hoses for the transmission cooling.

The failure of any of these hoses almost always results in a breakdown, making it impossible to continue driving. Towing the vehicle then becomes the only option, effectively ending an enjoyable drive.

4. neglected maintenance

This is often a problem for vehicles that are being revived after a long period of inactivity, or for those that have been owned by someone who has maintained them on a budget. Additionally, cars that have been serviced by workshops that, often with the best intentions, lack sufficient experience with these models also face maintenance issues. At Terrijn Classics, as Mercedes classic car specialists, we have developed a checklist for each model to systematically check all important points during maintenance. These vehicles require more than just an oil change and a new filter.

An example of inadequate maintenance in the Mercedes W113 is ignition problems. These often arise from worn spark plug wires, burned contact points, or a worn distributor cap. These are issues that can be relatively inexpensive to fix or prevent, and proactive checks are key in this regard. Waiting until the engine runs poorly can lead to additional damage, which in turn may result in costly repairs.

5. braking system

The braking system of a Mercedes Pagoda can sometimes lead to breakdowns, usually due to aging brake calipers. The rubber components in these calipers deteriorate and can seize up. Vehicles that sit idle for extended periods are most susceptible to this issue. As a result, leaks or overheating of the brakes may occur when you start driving again, which can lead to a sudden loss of braking power. This is dangerous and may sometimes necessitate towing.

Early indicators of these problems include brakes that squeak or drag. You can test this yourself by putting your vehicle in neutral with the handbrake off, you should be able to move the vehicle easily on your own.

6. gear lever bushings and transmission maintenance

The manual transmission in a Mercedes-Benz Pagoda should shift very smoothly and comfortably. We see few problems in this area, but the gear shift bushings are often worn and aged. As a result, there is no feedback in the gear shift, making the shifting feel ‘vague.’ A Mercedes W113 transmission is generally quite firm and precise. Breakdowns can occur if the shift bushings are so old that they break and fall out, making it difficult to find the gears.

The automatic transmission is also very reliable, but slightly more complex. It is especially important to perform timely maintenance, which includes changing the oil and filter. A transmission that does not receive adequate maintenance will often start shifting more abruptly or slip during shifting.

7. rust

Rust is unlikely to cause an immediate breakdown while driving. However, it can be one of the most expensive issues to repair in your Mercedes SL classic car, as a quality repair requires a significant amount of labor. The key with rust is to be aware of its presence and to have the affected areas professionally repaired as soon as possible. A rust spot that is discovered early, for example, can be treated in about 2 hours of work. If that same rust spot is only found years later, it may require as much as 10 hours of labor for a proper repair.

As specialists in Mercedes classics, we see rust in various areas on the Mercedes Pagoda. The most common locations include the lower front fenders, the upper front fenders next to the headlights, the floor pans and sills, in the trunk, and at the rear wheel arches.

Existing rust that is not addressed will eventually lead to a situation where a complete restoration becomes the only viable solution. A Mercedes Pagoda with a body that is kept rust-free and treated professionally can withstand all weather conditions without issues.

Terrijn Classics Health Check

The Mercedes-Benz W113 ‘Pagoda’ is a well-built and reliable car that can provide years of enjoyment. However, their age can lead to certain problems if they are not systematically maintained over the years. Specific knowledge and experience with this model are essential for reliable and trouble-free driving, allowing you to enjoy every ride without worries.

Are you unsure if your vehicle is in good condition? At Terrijn Classics, we have developed the Health Check, a tailored inspection specifically for Mercedes-Benz classic car owners who want to know the condition of their vehicle. If you’re interested in our Health Check and would like more information, please visit the Health Check page and leave your details so we can get in touch with you.

hEALTH CHECK

LIGHT

291 CHECKPOINTS

€299,00 incl. VAT

hEALTH CHECK

CLASSIC

368 CHECKPOINTS

€399,00 incl. VAT

hEALTH CHECK

EXPERT

Technical reliability
Exhaust emissions test
15-minute test drive
Cost analysis in 3 categories
Comfort system analysis
Visual analysis
Paint analysis
Compression test
Graphical respresentation

436 CHECKPOINTS

€649,00 incl. VAT

gUARANTEE

If we don’t identify any significant issues with your vehicle, don’t worry, we’ll refund the full Health Check fee.

Additionally, you’ll receive €100.00 workshop credit (incl. VAT) as compensation for your time.