What should be done to resuscitate a Mercedes that has been unused for several(14) months?
In particular a 1988 190e 2.3 with an automatic transmission.It starts up after the battery is charged but runs very rough.

Thank you in advance---
Burke---

The Breath Of Life!
 

Drain the fuel tank, replace the fuel filters, and refuel with new. Add an injector cleaner (Techron?). Change the oil and filter. Check the spark plugs, distribitor cap and rotor for corrosion, replace all as necessary. And drive the piss out of it!

Or, if you don't want to waste a full(?) tank of fuel, add a fuel stabilizer that is used for storage of cars, an injector cleaner, and do all of the aforementioned mechanicals. And drive the piss out of it!

I would be surprised if you didn't see an immediate and profound improvement...

[Edited by longston on 01-29-2001 at 01:31 AM]

This may or may not help, but we had a 1976 Chevy blazer that sat for a couple of years. apart from not bothering to change fluids gas etc, we changed the plugs, plug wires and coil, and once fired up, it ran like crap. of course after racing it around the block several times flooring it and expelling lots of smoke, it actually ran decently.

So I guess best thing to do is change fluids and filters, battery, plugs, and start it and drive it a bit to see if it clears up. it probably just needs to burn off some gunk buildup.

P.S. I'm not a tech.

Alon

Time For The Disclaimer!
 

Remember that the opinions expressed on this forum are simply the opinion(s) of the individual poster(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the general membership at large, previous posters on this thread, MercedesShop, Mercedes Benz, and/or Daimler Chrysler. MercedesShop is in no way affiliated with, or endorsed by Mercedes Benz, and/or Daimler Chrysler. The advice given here is strictly to be used for entertainment purposes only, and there are no warranties expressed or implied as to the quality, or factual basis of any and/or all of the information posted on this forum. The repeated use of the MercedesShop forums has been found to be habit-forming. It is not recommended that you drive or operate heavy machinery while using these forums. Your mileage and other results may vary... ;)

And always remember kids: "MercedesShop.com, LLC takes no responsibility whatsoever for any technical assistance offered by anyone in the Shop Forum. The Risk is 100% yours.."

[Edited by longston on 01-29-2001 at 01:27 PM]

Yes as stated above thats just my opinion. It is always at your own risk to try anything I mention to do. I'm not a tech, and only give my opinions.

Alon

Disclaimer Applies to My Disclaimer Too!
 

Alon,

I didn't mean for that to be directed at you. I was just commenting on your "I'm not a tech" statement. I wrote the "disclaimer" (at least my part of it) for fun, and a way of expressing my sense of humor.

The disclaimer from MercedesShop I quoted at the bottom, in Italics however, is a different matter. That statement, posted conspicuously all over the site does constitute a legal disclaimer.

I hope everyone, including the owners and principals of MercedesShop, LLC understand, and don't think I'm making fun of their disclaimer, or that I am in any way suggesting that someone not take that part seriously.

To review:

My "Disclaimer", only mine, and only semi-serious... ;)

MercedesShop Disclaimer, Legal, and Stone-Cold Serious! :mad:

[Edited by longston on 01-29-2001 at 01:28 PM]

hehe I wasn't getting mad, just wanted to clarify that it was just my opinion. :) hehe

I usually say I'm not a tech because I'm not, and I don't want people using my info then getting mad because it did something wrong.

Alon :)

Its a good thing to post the disclaimer especialy when the advice given may or may not be correct. :)

I know from experience what it is like to resurect a lifeless beast. I bought my mother-in-law's 85 380SE. After checking the records in the maintenance manual, the best I could estimate is that the car had been driven 3,000 miles in 7 years. I knew that the last couple of years were the least driven ones too. I replaced every fluid and filter in the car. My rough running was due to a bad plug wire tip. Fresh battery, plugs, cap, rotor, and wires had the engine purring like a kitten. The tires had full tread on them and judging by the cracks, they were around 7 years old too. Replaced them and the ride improved. What I have found over the long haul is that anything and everything that is rubber on the car has deteriorated substantially. I have personally replaced every front-end joint except for the upper control ams. I still need to replace the rear bushings, all springs, and the shocks. I keep praying that my cracked looking CV joint boots don't decide to let the magic grease out. It was suggested that I liberally spray silicone oil on those boots at every maintenance opportunity the arose.

Since I now work at home, I am putting about 4,000 miles a year on the car. It is a long time between oil changes. I really need to get a battery charger.

Thanks Guys!
 

Thanks for the tips---
Burke---

Weekend Update NewsTeam...
 

Updates, we need updates! Tell us what you did, how it worked, what didn't, what the jet stream looks like in your area, ANYTHING! This forum is (sometimes) searched by savvy new members seeking knowledge...

It might be a few weeks before i can even work on the car due to my travelling schedule and the New England weather.
I'll post some updates when i can.

Burke---

By the way this is a great site!