My 87 300E was running fine until a couple days ago. I got a no start in the morning where the car would crank and then catch but die and there was a poof of white gas smelling smoke. Then I realized that the intake hose (from the front to the airbox) had fallen off. I put it back on and the car started immediately, however there was a tremendous amount of sputtering under 1k rpm. Under load the car ran fine.

I have checked the OVP relay, and it looks like it might be the problem (there is a great deal of corrosion on the relay bottom on one of the the plugs). I tried to clean the relay connections and then try it again and the same thing is now happening again - after the first time it started up every time no problem.

I just want some direction as to where I might have to go if the relay is not the issue (I will be getting another relay tomorrow). Is there anything else I should look into?

Thanks for your help.

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87 300E
202k on the clock

Try disconnecting the battery for 10 mins.

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Saumil S. Patel