Vintage Cars: Stalling, fuel pump filter, vacuum leak


Question
QUESTION: Hi, i recently bought a W123 230ce from an ouction. it had starter issues which i repaired. the car starts fine but after idleing for a few minutes the fuel pump makes a weird noise lyk there is too much pressure for it to pump & then it stalls. but it'll start up again & run for a shorter time than before then stall again. i've replaced the fuel pump, filter, cleaned the tank. pliz help

ANSWER: well you failed to tell me the year of the car and the mileage.
However, if it starts fine and then develops problems when warm, you need to consider fuel delivery, vacuum leak, or vacuum lock.
Try to loosen your gas cap and see if it helps.
Do you smell gas? Let me know more information about the year and I can better help
Good Luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again, it's a 1985 model with 252000km. it starts & runs smoothly, the problems seems to start when the engine temp gets to the 80 degrees'. at this temperatures the fuel pump starts strugling to pump like there is a blockage at the hood. if i rev it it'll idle for a longer period but otherwise stalls after a few mins at those temperatures. how can i check for a vacuum leak or lock.

ANSWER: loosen the gas cap and try it, that may be a simple way to check vacuum lock. I have rethought the leak, I dont think that is your issue.  You say you changed filters and fuel pump, did you clean the lines out as well. Had this car been sitting? Did you clean out the strainer in the tank?  Important if it sat a long time.
You may need to check some of the temp senors.  Ther are several for that car, one may be on the block and one on the air cleaner. You may have to just disconnect one at a time to see if that is the issue.  The 85 CE is not common here in the states, in fact that engine was a euro only.  Are you in the states?
I will have to do a little research on this one as my manuals are not specific to the euro makes.
If you want post your question here http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php
it is easy to register and these guys can help.  I am a long time member and haev found them very useful.  In the meantime let me dig around, try the gas cap, as simple as it sounds, it could be the issue.  Are you blowing anything out of the exhaust?
You could have plugged catalytic convertors...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanx alot for all your help, yes i assume the car was sittin for a while. I did clean the strainer. i tested the fuel delivery with the engine off & there is good clean fuel coming in to the fuel distributor & excess fuel coming out there are 3 sensors on the block i tried disconnecting them but the problem still persists. the fuel pump strugles to pump as if somthing is preventing it from reaching the distributor when the engine gets to those temps. oh yea by the way am in Africa.
am a 23 year old, college student. i saved up & bought this car but i don really have money to take it to a MB dealership. am really hoping you'll help me out. i'll try loosning the fuel cap in the morning & thanx for da forum & ur time.

Answer
I have a thought that it could be  worn fuel injectors allowing fuel into the inlet manifold and the engine is effectively
over-fueling, causing the stall when hot (over-rich mixture) Any fuel smell?
Do you get black smoke on restart? What color are the plug tips?
I am going to ask  some of my cyber MB buddies , I will keep you posted on what I find out