[kermitp]

Hello, new to the forum. I just obtained a beautiful 1976 450SL that was shipped across country and routed, for some reason, through the horrific weather in South Texas. Before the trip, the car was evidently running with no problem. Right now, upon starting, it runs rough for about a minute, gradually gets rougher until it stalls. At that point it won't restart at all unless I wait at least 15-20 minutes. Then I can repeat the process. Needless to say, it won't run long enough to even get it to down the driveway, let alone my mechanic. Pressing the accelerator stalls it faster. Any ideas as to what could have happened in shipment? I appreciate any help. K

 

[Jyuma]

What have you checked?

Can you keep it running by spraying starter fluid into the intake? Don't do it long, just long enough to determine that the issue is fuel related and not ignition related.

 

[Fonzi]

Wild guess: the mixture is too lean for some reason. Does it smell like raw fuel or fumes when it's running?


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[Mehitabel]

What have you checked?

Can you keep it running by spraying starter fluid into the intake? Don't do it long, just long enough to determine that the issue is fuel related and not ignition related.

My thought. Hot Shot.

 

[yka]

I would check if the fuel pumps are running or not. And does the fuel pump assembly receive 12V supply or not.

 

[kermitp]

Thanks, all. Your comments about fuel were on the right track. I think the 100+mph winds blew rain into filler neck - the cap was tight but the gasket pretty worn. It was really acting (to me) like contaminated fuel. My driveway won't really let me get under the car so I couldn't check the fuel filter so I did the opposite and filled the tank up with another 6 gallons. Waited overnight and was able to start the car the next day. Still running rough, but at least I was able to get it up to a drive-able speed and drive it to a good MB mechanic. The AC compressor was shot on it anyway so I figure might as well get that done at the same time and have him go over it to make sure the trip through the hurricane didn't damage anything else. Now time to keep my fingers crossed that it won't be too expensive. The rest of the car seems in very nice condition.
By the way - the car came with 4 extra Warrior tires on more modern MB rims that I'd be willing to sell. I want to keep the steel wheels with the painted hubcaps on the car because it looks more authentic, if not as sporty. (Something about those painted wheels just seems right.)
K