QuestionHi, I parked my 190E about a year and a half ago. Prior to that, it was very hard to start...it was cold blooded and would die repeatedly until it warmed up. A few months ago, I tried to start it, and it eventually ran, but horribly...it was missing and smoked at idle. Now I need it on the road. I drained the fuel tank, and put on a new filter. I verified the fuel pump makes noise, and I know that I'm getting some fuel pressure up to the injector unit. Forgive me, but I know cars, but the carburated variety, so I don't know what the injector unit is called, but it's the big octopus looking thing. Anyway, I loosened what looked like a drain plug and I did have fuel pumping up to it. Now...here's the thing...while I turn the car over, if my Dad pours gas or sprays either into the plenum the car runs really great. But once he stops doing it, it dies. Are these still bad gas/clogged injector symptoms, or something worse? I figure the injectors have to be working because the car runs, right? And I know I'm getting fuel up to the big octopus injector looking thing...but it's apparently not going anywhere from there...yet fuel poured or sprayed into the plenum/carb looking thing makes it run. How can I fix this myself? I plan to try that black injector cleaner with high octane. What else could it be? Thanks in advance!
Steve
AnswerSteve,
It appears that you have spark, so we will go from a fuel starvation point. Word of Caution. Starting fluid (either) is very bad for the cylinders. It strips off any lubrication and that can ruin the rings and cylinder walls. Use only momentarily and very sparing.
If this vehicle has electric injectors at each port then you should determine if they are getting power. I would lean toward the fact that they are clogged, and or sticking.
If there is no injector at each port then the vehicle is designed similarly to a carburetor engine with a central injector into the intake.
With multiple injectors they use a fuel rail that has gas under pressure. The fuel pump provide fuel to the rail and any excess is return to the tank. The electrical circuit trips a solenoid to allow the injector to open.
If the springs in the injector are weak or the jet is stopped up or stuck you will get too much fuel or not fuel. Also, on my 420 SEL there is a 9th injector called the start injector. It is temperature controlled. When the ambient air goes below a certain point this circuit adds additional fuel to enrich the start cycle similarly to pulling out the choke to enrich the mixture.
Also on my vehicle there is a fuel pump relay and an over-voltage control relay. These can effect the ability to run more often than not. The are part of a complex starting circuit and can effect the starting and running ability.
I tend to lean toward lease expensive and least work in sequence of repair. If you could get someone to pull the engine codes, that should also help in you quest for a solution.
The fact that the vehicle was smoking when park leads me to believe that they were dirty then.
Another possibility is the fuel pressure regulator. If it is stuck then you would not have enough pressure to allow the injector to atomize the fuel. The techron black bottle cleaner with 87 regular is what I would use. You do know that the higher the octane the more potential for fouling. i.e more lead formerly or nickel or some other heavy metal is used now for flash control.
Good Luck
Let me know what you discover.
Robert
