Air/Fuel mixture problem. Engine starts then dies instantly
 

Hi guys,

I have a 190e 2.3 16v and I was mucking around with the air/fuel mixture screw and now the car won't start, actually it starts then enigne dies instantly. Today I got someone to crank the engine and the engine stay running when i depress the air sensor plate a little. As soon as I release the plate it dies. Its extremely frustrating. I have no idea if its too lean or too rich. I've learnt my lesson, I won't muck around with things I have no idea about.

Thanks

direction of rotation
 

Do you remember the direction you turned it? Clock wise or ccw? IF the engine dies after it gets it cold start shot of fuel, then you must have leaned out the fuel mixture to much,Turn the 3mm allen cw, this should be done slowly, you may remember how much you turned it at the start,If so then go that much to begin with,If you cant remember try two full turns to see if you can get it to catch, what you are doing is turning a screw to hold that plate from coming up quite as far just like holding it with your finger.good luck JNT:idea2:

Hey, that screw should only be used if you know what your doing and if you have the meter hooked up to the car for diags. I tried doing it on a 103 and it is very difficult, find a tech that has the right tools who can balance it back out. Cool car by the way.

If you only knew!
 

That screw is for setting the air fuel mixture you can do it,(set the mix) with a volt meter lots of post for it. but to get him back in the ball park he needs to undo what he has already done.After that he can read and learn how to set the on off ratio and balance the system,not that hard if you can take direction from others who have done this.JNT:idea2:

Hi,

Thanks for the advice, when you say 2 full turns, is that a full circle 360 degrees turn ?

Hey cosworth,

Like I said a quarter at a time clockwise till you get idle. Just be sure to keep track of how many quarter turns you did. And try to start engine after each quarter turn. You could step on the gas a little to try starting the engine.

One question though, do you still feel the adjustment screw engage with the spring loaded pin before you start turning? You could lubircate the tower a little so it won't stick again.

Hi bpaz,

Yeah I can feel the screw engage with the pin. Thanks for the advice everyone. I have post on many mecedes forums just to get more opinions.

Thanks

Full Turns
 

Yes full turns,do them say 1/4th at a time try to start each time you will get to a spot that it will light up and run, when you get there it most likely will run rough,at this point try to turn it even less each time,let it adjust to each setting till you get a very smooth running car. Some times you will go in the opposite direction to check the spot that feels good.Though I suggest you use a volt meter and pin 2&3 of x11 to set the on off ratio.:D

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've finally got the car to start and stay running. However I drove the car around the block and when I step on the accelerator pedal, it felt really sluggish till 4000rpm. I am taking the car to a mechanic on monday to adjust the mixture. Just wanted to know if anyone have a rough idea so I won't get rip off by the mechanic.

thanks again everyone for help !!!

Great, but---
 

You only got it in the ball park, If you do not have a meter to set the on off ratio it can be done by road testing. You know what you had to do to make it start and hold,now go back in and fine tune it.test it with those small turns of the allen find a spot where the engine likes to live and is very comfortable.Fine adjustments will get your throttle response back and the smooth Idle your looking for.GOOD LUCK JNT:D