Welcome Home to a 83-380SL

[nomorehurry]

As a means of introduction, I just put a new (1983) 380SL with 130,000 miles into my driveway family. My plan is to make it run better than it currently runs (which shouldn't be hard) and then decide which Benz my wife will let me keep.

My current daily driver is an 82 300Dt with 235,000 smiles . It was found on the side of the road with a faded for sale sign and already had three wheels in the junkyard. The diesel forum has been of immense assistance, and I hope to get similar expert assistance from this thread, and maybe make a small contribution if possible. My mechanical skills are somewhat limited, but there are very few repairs I won't consider.

From what I just read on "sluggish performance" I am pretty sure I have a vacuum leak as the economy meter is pegged all the way to the right (red), or maybe the line is plugged .

So the the SL forum members, "Hello" fro nomorehurry....

[Strife]

I just did a somewhat comprehensive upgrade to my 85 380SL at 182K, described on another board, with fuel injectors (used but tested), fuel injector holders, distribution hoses, fuel distributor (used), and warm up regulator rebuild/adjustment. The engine had been running very badly and delivering maybe 13mpg on the highway, now it is delivering at least 20, and the vacuum is much higher. IMO, besides the timing chain (WARNING: you may have a single timing chain, and is known to fail unexpectedly and catastropically, the "double chain" models should be done (tensioner, guide rails, chain) every 100K), at this age, the rubber is like hard, brittle plastic and the plastic is like glass. The vacuum is certainly compromised by this. The fuel injectors really shouldn't be expected to last past 100K miles; and the WUR profoundly affects rich/lean operation (and therefore fuel economy) so the pressure needs to be checked.

This engine definitely will take more maintenance that a contemporary-to-it diesel.

[LUVMBDiesels]

I just picked up a 1974 450SL. She is a good runner, but I need to do a lot of work on her. I want it to be ready for long weekend trips by the end of June.

We should compare notes as we go along....

[Strife]

Those years have a different fuel injection system, with different problems. The rubber hose/plastic problems are, of course, the same.

[nomorehurry]

I look forward to 'speaking' with you and getting the car into better condition. First, the weather has to warm up some and I do have to GOMB (ger off my butt)!

[nomorehurry]

Sounds like we have some stuff in common. Maybe we should get together for a beer or three.