Is it possible to re-insulate small copper wires?

[speeder]

I have a small harness from a '90s Mercedes, (biodegradable wire insulation), that is NLA as a new part from dealer or anywhere else. Bastards.

I could fix it if I could just put new insulation on wires. Otherwise, I'd need to solder new wires on and that's a PIA for me. Is there such thing as plastic or rubber insulation that I can slip on these and heat or something?

TIA.

[Bill Douglas]

There is ordinary heat shrink for wiring - but you know about this stuff already.

[JackDidley]

Liquid tape. Apply it with a brush.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-4-fl-oz-Liquid-Electrical-Tape-Black-LTB-400/100119178

[aschen]

Not sure how extensive your damage is, i cant imagine doing all the wiring. However yo can get fine gauge silicone or rubber hose and put a single slit in it. Put it over the wiring and wrap in fiberglass electrical tape. Would work well for small repairs

[Eric Coffey]

PTFE (Teflon) shrink-tubing and a heat-gun.

[speeder]

Thanks, it's just a small harness w 3 thin wires, the longest of which is about 4' long. Here are a couple pics:

[Cajundaddy]

Pretty ugly. I would probably use heat shrink tubing.

[sc_rufctr]

Looking at the photos... You're much better off replacing the wires!
You could muck around with heat shrink tubing etc but IMO it would be easier to replace them.

This is worth a look.

Engine Wiring Harness rebuild DIY step-by-step - Mercedes-Benz Forum

[speeder]

I know that it looks ugly but the "business part" of the wires is fine, (the actual copper wire). It's just the insulation that's disintegrating.

[red-beard]

https://www.amazon.com/F4-Tape/dp/B01IVNQ7RC

This is self fusing tape. Easier to apply than heat shrink tubing, but will not come apart like electrical tape.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by red-beard

https://www.amazon.com/F4-Tape/dp/B01IVNQ7RC

This is self fusing tape. Easier to apply than heat shrink tubing, but will not come apart like electrical tape.

This.

[yahh]

Are the connectors still available? If so, why not make a new harness?

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Looking at the photos... You're much better off replacing the wires!
You could muck around with heat shrink tubing etc but IMO it would be easier to replace them.

This is worth a look.

Engine Wiring Harness rebuild DIY step-by-step - Mercedes-Benz Forum

What I was thinking, cut and splice / solder if you have to and reinforce around the soldering points to prevent fracturing.

If it's not critical to running and not too hard to access I'd even use butt connectors. Strip the wire all the way to the connector, leave about 2" of bare copper showing going up to the connector, cut the old wire away.

Take another piece of fresh wire about same gauge, strip the casing off and save the casing- slip it over the 2" bare wire going to the connector, you have just reshielded the wire. Butt connect it there to hold it in place.

Connect fresh wire between the two terminals. Done. Put in loom for protection

I do this when I install capacitors inline for audio, works fine.

rjp

[speeder]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

3M 5200
Comes in black or white.
Good for holidays in the outback.
Sinking boats when the tide comes in.
It should be in your toolbox it will be your best friend.
Tenacious
waterproof
Put it in the storage bin,
Way stronger than liquid tape.
Get to know it .
You will use it again and again.

Looks like great stuff but not sure how I'd insulate small wires w it(?)

Originally Posted by red-beard

https://www.amazon.com/F4-Tape/dp/B01IVNQ7RC

This is self fusing tape. Easier to apply than heat shrink tubing, but will not come apart like electrical tape.

Looks great, would I have to wind each wire like regular electrical tape or is it applied lengthwise?

Originally Posted by RANDY P

What I was thinking, cut and splice / solder if you have to and reinforce around the soldering points to prevent fracturing.

If it's not critical to running and not too hard to access I'd even use butt connectors. Strip the wire all the way to the connector, leave about 2" of bare copper showing going up to the connector, cut the old wire away.

Take another piece of fresh wire about same gauge, strip the casing off and save the casing- slip it over the 2" bare wire going to the connector, you have just reshielded the wire. Butt connect it there to hold it in place.

Connect fresh wire between the two terminals. Done. Put in loom for protection

I do this when I install capacitors inline for audio, works fine.

rjp

Thought about doing this as well. The advantage to recoating the wires somehow is that all of the resistance should be 100% correct as from factory. They are not critical to running but do connect to oil pressure sender/gauge, oil level sender and starter solenoid.

Butt connectors and the same gauge wire would probably work fine.

I can't forgive MB for doing this, just shameful.

[asphaltgambler]

There are companies out there that make reproduction wiring with cloth ( and other types) of insulation in various gauges for vintage automotive restoration applications. You'll need to do some digging, but I've seen their websites as I was looking for something similar a few years back.

For terminal ends, you may have to improvise with something modern by removing the insulator and gently wire brushing the end to remove the surface aluminum coating.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by speeder

::::

I can't forgive MB for doing this, just shameful.

I agree it is shameful but the intention was good. MB should have provided a fix for free but there were lots of cars affected.
However they did fix the issue if it occurred whilst the car was under warranty.

Mercedes Benz Defects - Exposing irresponsible engineering failures

Like the water cooled Porsche engines and their issues. IMO Porsche should have fixed all of them no questions asked.
Everybody keeps telling me it's only a small percentage of engines that are affected. If that's true why didn't Porsche fix them?

[RedBaron]

I’ve noticed some parts for my W126 and starting to show up as NLA. You would think mercedes would keep a steady stream of parts available, especially for cars that gave them a good reputation and have a good enthusiast base.

[RANDY P]

Wait till the part gets to the classic restoration center, it might as well be NLA with the prices they charge.

rjp

[looneybin]

can you paint them with plasti-dip?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thought about doing this as well. The advantage to recoating the wires somehow is that all of the resistance should be 100% correct as from factory. They are not critical to running but do connect to oil pressure sender/gauge, oil level sender and starter solenoid.

That's not a valid reason. A properly made harness will work fine.

If anything a new proper harness will be better than the corroded connections in your picture. I would not even consider recycling that pile of corrosion.