I have a 230K mile 400SEL (1993) that had been extremely well serviced by the previous (who was also the original) owner. The engine wiring harness was replaced about 5 years ago. The MB tech that had worked on the car for years confirmed that this car had no major issues and said he would have no trouble recommending anyone to purchase it. I purchased the car in September, put about 4000 miles on it and now it is dead.

The car would get to where when I would start it back up when hot, it would try to stall when I would accelerate, as if running out of fuel, then it would clear out and be OK the rest of the day.

I only drove the car on weekends, but one weekend when I first started it, it was missing badly and popping through the tailpipe and smelled like fuel. Few days later, tried again and it would not start. I let it set for about 4 weeks, came back, battery was dead as a door nail.

Charged it, tried starting again and then it would only crank (cranked very fast) and exhaust smelled like pure gasoline. Obviously not getting spark. I cant check any codes with the CEL on the dash, my CEL light does not even illuminate when switch is turned on (all other lights do).

I did that underhood check engine light test (someone told me about the box under the hood with the button that I could check) and got what I think is a code "5" and a code "25" or "26"... I cant remember.

Someone on another MB site said for me to check cap/rotor. I did, but could only get the driver-side loose/off. It was damp in there. I don't know why, the car has never been in any high water or had the engine wet.

Well I went and did some digging in the tool boxes and found what I needed to remove the cap and rotor. I only removed the one on the driver-side.

Not sure what I am looking for though. There appears to be some oil or moisture inside of the cap and I do not think that the part of the rotor button is supposed to look all chipped up like it is? I don't know where oil could be coming in from? Valve cover gaskets were supposed to have been replaced about a year ago.

Here are some pics, not sure how well they can be seen... can anyone tell anything by these? Is the rotor button burnt up?

Update - I had my dad look at the cap and rotor and he said he though they were OK, but inside of the cap was wet. Why would it be drawing moisture? I have never had the car in any high waters or washed the engine (obviously). We have had a lot of rain this spring, but that should not cause the car not to start. I dried the cap out with a cloth and put the car back together, same deal, will not start, will not even hit and it cranks fast and sounds strange... almost like a riding mower trying to start. I think something bad has happened.



















and despite being a 1-owner, well maintained car (serviced by MB techs) this is one greasy engine... needs a professional detail



Thanks in advance!



Any other suggestions to what may have happened?