my car won't start on the first try all the time on a
hot start. hot start meaning, re-starting immediately
after engine shut off.
when it does start on the second or third try it sputters.
seems like engine is "flooded," "breathing hard" and revving by itself.
it however smoothens out after a minute. cold starts seem fine. anyone knows what wrong? thanks.

300E Hot Start
 

Joel:
Assuming that you have CIS injection, one posiblity is the incorrect rest postion of the fuel distributor plunger. To check this, remove the air cleaner and gently push down on the flowmeter flow sensor (large round disc)in the intake to the flowmeter. You should feel a noticible increase in resistance once this disc travels a short distance. If you don't, it is likely that the distributor plunger is not seating when the engine is off, thus causing flooding. This adjustment can be done if you have the factory or Bosch manuals and are handy with a wrench. Dob't try this if you are uneasy. There a great potential for expensive damage in this procedure.

thanks for the input lipscomb. i've seen my
tech insert a tool in the air cleaner cover
to adjust this plunger. is this what you are
referring to?

The tool that he used was to adjust the mixture. It is a speciallized allen wrench (8mm??). This will not, however, address a hot flooring problem. If it it the plunger seat, you will have to remove the fuel distributer.

thanks for the info. i'll see my tech and
ask him to do it for me.

Hi Lipscomb,
It looks like you are an expert in this area. I have been having the same problems after I purchased my 87 300E a year ago and just ignored the problem. The car would start fine when cold(one crank). But when hot, needs 2 cranks.
I was wondering if you could explain more in detail how to use the wrench and what to adjust coz I don't have the manual. Appreciate if you could help us out.
Thnks in advance.

Terryloh - 300E Hot Start
 

It doesn't sound like your problem is as bad as Joel's. If it takes alittle looger to start that you thing it ought to but doesn't act like it is flooded then your problem may lie somewhere else. However, if we assume that you have a hot start problem, it could be the fuel distributor plunger seal. If this is the case then you will have to remove the distributor from the flowmeter and adjust the seat and/or replace the seal. This is not something you should try unless yuo have the manuals and are comfortable with this kind of work.

The cause could be some as simple as bad or improperly gapped plugs