I just bought a 1990 Mercedes 190e 2.6 6 cylinder, and can't get it to start it just cranks and cranks.. I checked the compression and they read a good 125. I had a weak spark so I changed the coil and that improved the spark, but it didn't help. I replaced the fuel relay and still nothing had gas coming to the fuel distributor, but not to the injectors, so I replaced the fuel distributor and still had no fuel come out of the injectors. Until I realized if I push the flap down on the throttle body fuel would be pumped out of the injectors, but the car still didn't start. I forgot to add I checked the rotor and plugs and they checked out fine, they all had spark. I'm getting ready to change the crankshaft position sensor tommorow too, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Update.. I got the car to start I was looking around by the oil filter and noticed a little rubber hose on the manifold had a screw in it when I took the screw out it was wet and smelled like gas so I plugged it back into a plastic line that looks like it goes towards the tranny. When I started the car white smoke poured out couldn't see through the back window... I smelled the smoke and it had a really strong smell of fuel... no water dripping from the tail pipe, oil is fine coolant is not discolored, well I'm going to check the plugs just in case. Any suggestions what can be causing this?
Update.. I got the car to start I was looking around by the oil filter and noticed a little rubber hose on the manifold had a screw in it when I took the screw out it was wet and smelled like gas so I plugged it back into a plastic line that looks like it goes towards the tranny. When I started the car white smoke poured out couldn't see through the back window... I smelled the smoke and it had a really strong smell of fuel... no water dripping from the tail pipe, oil is fine coolant is not discolored, well I'm going to check the plugs just in case. Any suggestions what can be causing this?
It sounds like the vacuum line going to the Vacuum Modulator on the side of the transmission. You would have to trace the vacuum line to be sure. When my Vacuum Modulator went bad the intake was sucking transmission fluid through the line.
Could you post a picture of the vacuum connection? Also, did you replace the CPS and did it make any change in starting/stronger spark?
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If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.....and make it better.
My buddy came over and said the same thing you said so I'm going to swap it out in a little while I'll try to get a camera to get a pic of the vacuum hose.Thanks for your help.
Its on the drivers side the, do I have to drop the tranny down a bit to change it?
Yes, the first time I attempted to replace my Vacuum Modulator I couldn't lower the trans. enough so I gave up and posted on here for some help. Fellow member MTI came to the rescue and stated that I had to lower the exhaust system so the transmission could be lowered enough to gain access to the VM. As I recall, I had to remove the rubber hangers, the center muffler support arm, and the transmission cross-member. I used my second floor jack with a 2X8 to support the transmission to lower it, then I could remove the Vacuum Modulator.
While you're in there, inspect the rear engine mount. I just replaced mine when I replaced the front engine mounts. The front ones were low, but the rear one was broken and collapsed. And another thing, the same procedure is required when replacing the shifter linkage bushings. The plastic bushings become brittle, crack, and fall out. I replaced those too and now the shifter is tight and quiet.
Good luck,
Dave
Last edited by slk230red : 12-11-2007 at 11:23 AM.
Well I changed that and the smoke still won't go away I think it is the headgasket a huge white cloud whenever I accelerate it... if I leave it idling and smokes a little bit, I checked the plugs after leaving it running and some of them had oil on them #1 sparkplug cylinder towards the fan looks clean, it runs hot above 100 but not at 120.... Any suggestions? Thanks.
While you're in there, inspect the rear engine mount. I just replaced mine when I replaced the front engine mounts.
Dave
There's a rear engine mount? Where (I know, should be obvious). I replaced the 2 front mounts and the trans mount but did not see a rear mount for the engine...but perhaps the diesel is different?
There's a rear engine mount? Where (I know, should be obvious). I replaced the 2 front mounts and the trans mount but did not see a rear mount for the engine...but perhaps the diesel is different?
Yeah, I should have stated transmission mount. My bad.
190e not starting 
Linear Mode
