Hi all!
I have been restoring a 1981 380sl...so far so good!
The car just starting doing something strange.
After starting and warming up, it will run sluggish from initial acceleration until about 2000rpms, and then seems to run fine, even at high speed.
It will repeat the problem when braked to a stop, idle, press the gas, and repeat the slow crawl through 2000 rpm and then take off!
I stopped by a generic mechanic shop and they recommended adding Lucas Fuel Ingector cleaner and taking her for a long drive.
Did about 50 mile drive and had to get home. Didn't really notice any marked improvement.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Chris
Check to see if your air metering plate is sticking. It's the big round thing in the center of the intake opening. It should move freely. If not, loosen it and make adjustments. Don't drop anything in the hole!!!
Hi all!
I have been restoring a 1981 380sl...so far so good!
The car just starting doing something strange.
After starting and warming up, it will run sluggish from initial acceleration until about 2000rpms, and then seems to run fine, even at high speed.
It will repeat the problem when braked to a stop, idle, press the gas, and repeat the slow crawl through 2000 rpm and then take off!
I stopped by a generic mechanic shop and they recommended adding Lucas Fuel Ingector cleaner and taking her for a long drive.
Did about 50 mile drive and had to get home. Didn't really notice any marked improvement.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Chris
Don't be alarmed, but check your timing as well. It might be worth your while to check the cam timing if you cannot find a resolution with the fuel metering plate, or ignition timing... Sure sounds like retarded timing...
__________________
RM Smith
Where is it again that we are going... And why are we in a handbasket?
Hi all.
Still no luck with my 1981 380sl.
Changed the air filter...sprayed air cleaner... cleaned throttle plate area.
What is the small filter in there? It looks bad!
It feels really tight. When I held it down, car stalled out.
How do you loosen the plate? Am I making more problems?
added lucas fuel injector cleaner - seems to help it above 1500 rpms, just can't get it there..it is crawling until it hits 1500 rpm then goes!!!
Not sure how to check timing...next resort is to tow it to shop.
Any recommendations in the Jersey City, NJ area?
Thanks!
I really mean NO disrespect, and I hope you will not take any, but if you are unsure about how to check timing, then I recommend you do find a reputable professional. This same advice applies to working on the fuel injection system.
Perhaps you can find a mechanic that would help tutor you along. If you have a good manual (set of manuals), adequate tools and are mechanically inclined, then learning diy projects can be very rewarding. If, on the otherhand you are a novice, then you may be biting off a bit more than you need to chew with these machines...
I am perplexed about your reported symptoms... I am now wondering; does the engine suddenly spark to life at 1500 rpms, or does the engine become more responsive gradually as you approach 1500rpms?
Hi Ears! No ill feelings here - I'd rather hear the truth.
When the local Pep boys said they would not work on the 380, I kind of figured some (most?) mechanical fix its would be past my limited knowledge, especially with what I've been reading about with respect to the fuel injection system!!!
Answering your question: yes the engine suddenly sparks to life past 1500 and runs fine!
I was reading up on the fuel system last night and kind of sense where you might be going with this. Any insights greatly appreciated, and I am looking for a good mbz mechanic in the Jersey City / New York City area.
Thanks!
Chris
Replacing the injectors fixed this problem on my 380sl. It seems that the injectors were leaky and kind of flooding a few cylinders. I suppose that around 1500rpm, it kind of 'evened out'.
Hi all,
Ears....yes there is some smoking coming from the engine compartment...
On a side note, I have been calling around to find a mechanic.
I just got off the phone with one, and he said he did not have the software for the computer on a 1981???? Did they have computers then?
There is a mbz independent near Atlantic City, but that's either a long tow, or a potentially frustrating drive...I guess it would be fine once I got on the turnpike, but stopping and tolls would be a pain, and I would not want to risk messing anything up....
Chris
Shouldn't need any computer diagnostic; however, there is a certain amount of electronics associated with the '81 (Ike can expound on this more authoritatively than I). Is the smoking you are experiencing coming from the exhaust a predominately blue to white or grey to black? Have you run it long enough to get an idea of the fuel consumption before and after the problem started?
Linear Mode
