[w107w123w210]

Nice looking car - I have one just like it!

Originally Posted by 1972-350SL

1. When the engine is cold and I first start it I was told to turn the key to postion #1 until I hear the fuel pump and the turn the car on. Is this normal?

That sounds correct - You don't really have to pause - pump reaches pressure very quickly

2. Under the rear carpet there is insulation with shiny layer on top but no rust under neath the car. Sort of like whats under aluminum siding. Is this normal?

I think my car has black foam underlay that does have shiny surface on top.

3. Under the front carpet there is rubber insulation and no rust under neath the car. Is this normal?

Same as 2.

4. The car when it first starts up from cold it revs from 1500rpms to 1000rpms to 1500rpms to 1000rpms every 2 second for about 1 minute and then it stays at 1500rpms and works it way down to 800rpms. After its warm its fine. Is this normal? (It did not do that when I first looked at the car but I did add Fuel System cleaner to the gas tank and thats when the problem seemed to start.)

Sounds like you have high idle - at 1500rpm, there is a device that kicks in and causes that surging - you want to adjust cold idle to below 1500rpm, If this causes too low an hot idle, then you have a vacuum leak or your aux air valve is leaking - Mine was!

5. The car is a little smelly (carbon monoxide) and alittle loud (my wife doesn't like that). Is there any way the make it more quiet and less smelly. It does have both mufflers (the middle one and the end one but they have a litte surface rust but I hear no leaks or hisses and no holes).

Any muffler shop will check the pipes for you. You may have a leak. Also, check the passenger side manifold just below the battery - they often crack in that area between the last to cylinders

6. What brands should I use for maintaince parts (sparks plugs, wire, distributor cap/rotor, air filter, oil filter, ......)

Most parts are Bosch, but Beru are more correct for wires at least. Read the threads here and on MBShop about resistor plugs and newer style Bosch wires with no resistor ends. Arizona Autohaus has most ignition parts and they are Bosch.

I will be away for a while, but always glad to discuss these early D-Jet 107s!