[illusive man]

ok I've looked around and I can't seem to find anything pertinent to my situation. Ok now remember that I got this car for next to nothing and this isn't my first german car just first Merc. I'm having issues with a rough idle among other things.The fuel pump is making and odd buzzing noise constantly. The main thing is my car was dying like it was being starved and after picking it up and taking it home I replaced the fuel filter. The fuel filter had a brownish colored gas coming out of it that I'm assuming is from water. There wasn't any of that color coming from the hose that goes to the rest of the car (thankfully). So I replaced the fuel filter and put some "Heat" in the tank and she seemed to be running smoother then after about 10-15 mins of driving the car died and started right back up while I tried to gun it up a hill. Well the thing that gets me is that while I was driving back I gunned it and the car dropped into gear and the engine quickly revd to 3.5k and stayed there making no more power. It seems in normal driving that it doesn't want to rev. And in park I held down the accelerator (not all the way but close) and it went to 6K rpms and then started erratically jumping from 4k to 6k for about 30 seconds then it died.
Ok now the stuff I've noticed and been told by the previous owner. the fuel lines to the pump and accumulator are new as well as the gas tank. The owner said that the tank had been replaced I don't have any confirmation of this other than it doesn't look really dirty. Oh and the head has been replaced. I know that from having to reseal the gasket, that was probably done from the fan that doesn't work. Anyway sorry for the poorly written format I have to get ready for work and I'm just trying to get this out there before I go.
The car is an 87 190E 2.3L 8v with a little over 100k again thank you for all the help and I'll keep you updated as I move along and after I get back from work I'll give more history on me and what not. Cause I'm a former bimmer owner so I've got some interesting stories lol. Anyway thank you all for any ideas tips info and sage advice you could bestow on this young ex army kid!!!:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

 

[illusive man]

So I mention BMW and no one wants to reply huh? lol jk Anyways I'm 25 and I've been a member of bimmerfest for the last 2 years and this is my first furrow into mercedes because I've always admired the engineering :bowdown: that was put into mercedes despite BMW being the better car for divers IMHO. Again any insight would be appreciated!
Oh and this is my 3rd posting on here I believe.

 

[raymondgallant]

it could be the buzzing fuel pump is now weak and could not supply the needed pressure when you gun it. has it ever been replaced?

 

[illusive man]

it could be the buzzing fuel pump is now weak and could not supply the needed pressure when you gun it. has it ever been replaced?

well according to the previous owner the entire fuel system was replaced (hence the skepticism because of the needed fuel filter replacement). I was told the reason it was making that noise is because the grommet is missing(I have NO idea what that could be)?

 

[illusive man]

Oh I have a question do I need something to be able to load picture on here? I've never really loaded images on the other forum (embarrassed look).Because I'd like to get into showing everyone what I'm doing and the progress I'm going to make and show what I have (although after what I've seen I'm going to be embarrassed). Oh and are there any more suggestions?

P.S. Oh and how easy is it to install the euro headlights and what all is involved?

 

[Nfsjunkie91]

Get a fuel pressure gauge, and start there. It sounds like you may have something clogging up the line. Also, do the simple things, check the spark plugs and ignition system (just in case). The fuel pump should be making a constant "singing" noise if anything, sounds like a light mechanical buzzing. If it's erratic, then the pump may be going south. I know it's pretty quiet on my 2.3 when it's running, I have an '87 as well.

 

[illusive man]

Get a fuel pressure gauge, and start there. It sounds like you may have something clogging up the line. Also, do the simple things, check the spark plugs and ignition system (just in case). The fuel pump should be making a constant "singing" noise if anything, sounds like a light mechanical buzzing. If it's erratic, then the pump may be going south. I know it's pretty quiet on my 2.3 when it's running, I have an '87 as well.

ok thanks!!!!! will do and I'll report my findings. As far as the fuel pump yes it does make an annoying buzzing sound that is constant lol but good now to know when I might be losing the pump question do you know if its possible to change the lights to the later versions in an 87?? Sorry for my ignorance

 

[illusive man]

Oh I also forgot to add nfsjunkie91 that the distributer and coil pack look pretty new and the previous owner said they were replaced. But I did notice a crack in one boots of the wires that connects to the distributer. But the crack went pretty deep.

 

[1984babybenz]

Changing to euros is very easy.
In addition to the euro lights, you need to buy a euro headlight plug.
It’s the same thing as the plug for the rear tail lights. Only a dollar or so at a junkyard.

Removing the front bumper makes it even easier, but it isn't necessary.

1. Remove the six bolts holding in the front bumper and remove the air temperature sensor off the license plate bracket.
2. Disconnect the wiring socket off the back of the headlight.
3. Remove both turn signal assemblies (only the one knob holding them in)
4. Remove the lower 8mm bolt and the two upper bolts (forgot sizes)
5. Pull old headlight out
6. Install new headlight socket
7. Do everything in reverse, and don't forget to aim the new headlights.


HOWTO: Aim Your Euro Headlights - 190 Revolution

 

[illusive man]

Thank you both very much!!! Alright I pretty much answered my own question about how to post pictures so that is on the agenda for tonight along with messing with the ignition and posting some pictures tonight for you all. And once again thank you all from the bottom of my heart!! Will post soon.

 

[illusive man]

well these are the photos hopefully

 

[illusive man]

 

[illusive man]

 

[illusive man]

 

[illusive man]

ok new update I messed with the distibuter and got it to idle where it should be instead of 1k. I also noticed that I forgot to mention that she idles pretty rough. And I took her for another ride to get a better feel for the WOT issue and sure enough it instantly went to about 3k and lurched and sputtered and died on me.... I also looked for a fuel pressure gage and I'll be able to report that later. I apologize about the photos I don't know how to get them bigger and I'm using my HTC Vivid and its no where near the iPhone that I had before so I'm sorry they aren't better.

 

[illusive man]

Oh and I also forgot to mention that the oil filler cap doesn't seal. Just wondering if that could contribute to the rough idle? Cause I was thinking it would cause a loss of vacuum right? Or am I over thinking this?

 

[illusive man]

ok I checked the spark plugs and they were ok and gaped fine but they had an orangeness color on them oh and when I tried to remove the #3 spark plug wire from the distributer the boot snapped and left a chunk of metal that was attached to the distributer.

 

[sranjesuper]

the car has a fuel adjustment screw that sticks from the top of the air meter plate. It might have been adjusted wrong and there is a pin that you have to measure for voltage to determine how rich/lean it is but i can't remember which pin.

other than that, check your OVP relay ( behind battery relay with red fuse in it ) sometimes the fuse goes bad, sometimes the relay itself.. it deasl with a lot of fuel related stuff

check for vacum leaks.. does it sound like it is hissing somewhere ?

you can spray some flammable liquid like starter fluid while it is idling rough, and see if it changes RPM

spray some soapy water on your ignition wires while the car is running in the dark, and try to see if some sparks coming out of the wires.

also your catalytic converter could be plugged, hence it doesn't wanna go at a higher rpm

do intake flush ( search up seafoam )

 

[illusive man]

well just a heads up I bought a new set of spark plug wires and she ran a little smoother but now will not respond when I do a WOT. oh and I found the plug from the coil pack was arcing its way to the distributer lol keep finding stuff that is wrong hopefully a time will come when I'll be done lol. I haven't had the time to check the fuel screw that someone thankfully added here. But I hope to here in a few days

 

[illusive man]

Sorry it will rev a idle and then die but won't WOT while in drive.