Sputtering and Stalling Engine
 

Hello everyone ! Glad to see this forum.

Anyway, I own a 1989 300 SE and I have been driving with no problems for about a year now. The last major job I had on this car was a new steering pump replaced.

I love this car so much that I take good care of it than I take care of my own car. I do not drive this often. Enough about my obssession :D

2 days ago , I was low on gas ( quarter tank left) , naturaly I went to the gas station to fuel up ( 2 blocks from house). After fueling, As I started the car, the engine shook and then died. I tried again and this time it won't start.

I waited for a while ( 2 minutes) and tried again, same thing happens. I decided to try one more time and this time I tried pumping some gas, the car started but the engine was shaking pretty bad. With small power I had left , I was able to "limp" my car out of the gas stall and into a parking spot.

So I left the car overnight and comtemplated either to have my baby towed or at least try again the following morning. The next morning, The car started as if there was no problem the night before (weird :confused:). I was able to drive it home safely. I called my mechanic and unfortunately , he is on vacation :rolleyes:

So today, I wanted to see if the problem still exist, I started and it started out ok. I drove it around my neighborhood and it seems to work fine. As decided to go a store. As I got back in the car , and as always it started out fine and lo and behold ! I was having a deja vu !

The car seems to work when I am moving , but when it come to stop signs or lights , The engine just starts to shake , sputter and die.

The funny thing is that the car shook violently then died on the perfect spot inside my garage.

Can anyone give me a friendly online diagnostic as to what is causing this problem before I call my mechanic or a priest..:D

I had a bad coil that had similar symptoms.

Thanks Brewtoo ! Did it cost a lot to fixed / replaced ?

You might want to through some dry gas in it to see if that helps... the fact that you had just added gas to the tank means you should consider the possibility of bad gas.

You can get a new one for $50 or so and install it yourself. I do not guarantee that is the problem, however.

Interesting thought worth considering. Thanks. I am not sure exactly what determines "bad gas" ( Yup ! This statement one is open season for good ole ribbing !"):D

I realized that nothing is guaranteed, just looking our for possibilities. I really appreciate the input.