fuel distributor??
 

my 87 420 sel just died the other day before it died for good the engine just stop I was able to start again but after a mile stop for good,first suspect was a fuel pump relay I replace it nothing hapen,fuel pump works good my mecanic think is the fuel distributor he said the fuel is there [in the distributor]but did't distribute at all!! so before I put an other FD {expensive}is any other part electronic or mecanic that need to check??

You will need to check the fuel pressure and differential pressure on the upper and lower chambers of the fuel distributor before condeming it. Also check to make sure the pressure regulator isn't bad, and that the EHA is working (although usually it will only cause a mixture adjustment problem if broken).

I would also verify the condition of cap, rotor, and wires and ensure that you have good spark -- this stuff is much less expensive than a new fuel distributor!

Peter

fuel distributor
 

I agree with the other posts, the fuel distributor is an easy/quick answer and may, or may not, be the issue. Always FULLY verify the ignition system as everyone said here. If the car is due for a tune-up, do the plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap, and BE SURE to replace with only the precise (down to the last digit) model of spark plug and part number in your car now, don't take a Mercedes spark plug equivalent number with a 0 on the end for example or a platinum model. Mechanics jump too quickly to the fuel system. Also, if it is the original fuel pump, I'd still really suspect it. The pumps are known failure items and I don't know how your mechanic can be there 100% of the time knowing exactly when or if the fuel pump can overheat enough to lose an instant of pressure. If you end-up doing the fuel distributor, keep these things in mind: (1) the aftermarket remanufactured non-Bosch ones nowadays are good and cost only about $500 as I recall so no need for a Bosch remanufactured one. I have one in my car and it works superbly. (2) Shops like to charge some unGodly amount of shop time for the fuel distributor, like 8 hours. The fact is it's a relatively easy 1 to 1.5 hour job. I watched one mechanic charge about 5 hours for the job and double the price on the distributor. Anyway, when they do the fuel distributor if they do it, MAKE SURE they don't introduce a vacuum leak there. Lazy mechanics do not lubricate the o-ring beneath the fuel distributor and they should, and some choose not to replace the 25 cent o-ring part because I don't think it comes with the fuel distributor. So they need to make sure they have one around. Such a shame to have to babysit such straightforward jobs but having been burned on this one, you need to be very careful on the small details like that.

Fuel Distributor
 

You might want to make sure the coil is good. I had a similar problem that bugged us for 6 weeks. Changed many parts but no improvement. My step son mentioned that he had the same trouble on his Passat. We changed the coil on our 87 300E and the problem was solved. Who has heard of a coil failing on low rpms?

I suggest you seek out the services of a professional MB mechanic who is equipped with all the diagnostic equipment, electrical manuals, and factory manuals needed to determine the problem without just throwing expensive parts at it. You can't just crack a fuel line on this car and say you've got fuel. You need to tap into the fuel system at the right place and pump one liter of fuel in 40 seconds into a graduated container. There are other tests that need to be done according to the MB diagnostic manual.

ericgr,
Where did you source a rebuild for $500? A fellow shop owner in the area had to install one last week, and the list was $2200.

Peter

rebuilt fuel distributor
 

Germanstar (http://germanstar.net) has them, I think the brand name stamped on it is gappy or gaffy. I'm pretty sure mine came from them. For example, http://www.germanstar.net/107f.htm

Eric,
Thanks. I bookmarked it.

Peter