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  #1  
Old 08-17-2008, 01:54 PM
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1988 MB 190E Very Rough Idle Problem

Hi,

I recently solved an intermittent stalling problem on my son's 190E by replacing the Overload Protection Relay (Over a week no stalling). I have a new problem with a very rough idle.

Last week after replacing the Overload Protection Relay I decided to flush the antifreeze and replace the instrument cluster to hopefully get the speedometer working. After changing the instrument cluster with one purchased on ebay. The speedometer was still not working so I realized it was probably the cable which I ordered and will replace soon. When he was driving back to school he called to say the car was idling like my 300D but was not stalling. I thought he was exaggerating and went to check yesterday. He was right the car shakes like it was running on 3 cylinders. I
swapped cars and drove his home to work on it (180 mile trip). The car ran fine at highway speed but as soon as I stopped it shook like the diesel.

I removed the plugs and they appeared fine. Next I removed the wire from the closest plug to the front of the car and there was no difference in the rough idle. Removing the remaining wires one at a time made the car stall.

Does anyone see a link between the work I did that could have caused the problem?


What should I check from here?

Could it be a vacuum hose that is causing the problem?

Any troubleshooting advise would be greatly appreciated.

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  #2  
Old 08-17-2008, 02:34 PM
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Location: Tampa, FL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel1 View Post
Hi,

I recently solved an intermittent stalling problem on my son's 190E by replacing the Overload Protection Relay (Over a week no stalling). I have a new problem with a very rough idle.

I removed the plugs and they appeared fine. Next I removed the wire from the closest plug to the front of the car and there was no difference in the rough idle. Removing the remaining wires one at a time made the car stall.

Does anyone see a link between the work I did that could have caused the problem?


What should I check from here?

Could it be a vacuum hose that is causing the problem?

Any troubleshooting advice would be greatly appreciated.
Just curious, do you have the correct type of spark plug wires and non-resistor spark plugs? Also, when you removed the spark plug wires, did you use a puller?

If removing spark plug wire number one made no difference, but numbers 2,3,and 4 did, then I suspect that #1 is not getting spark. Did you test #1 for spark to eliminate a fuel problem.

So, either number one cylinder isn't getting spark, or, it's not getting fuel. Try to figure that out first.

Spark related
Bad spark plug
Bad spark plug wire
Defective distributor cap or rotor

Fuel related
Defective fuel injector
Defective fuel distributor

Here is an example of someone's 190E 2.3 that stopped running. Sometimes it's the simplest things that can cause major problems. Replaced the Rotor and the car started right up and ran great.

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible
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  #3  
Old 08-17-2008, 03:14 PM
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1988 190E Very Rough Stalling Problem

When I removed the first spark plug wire, I felt the spark when I inadvertently touched the metal casing. Does that mean it's getting sufficient spark? How would I check fuel distribution to that cylinder?
I did not remove wire with a boot puller but was very careful.
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Old 08-17-2008, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Diesel1 View Post
When I removed the first spark plug wire, I felt the spark when I inadvertently touched the metal casing. Does that mean it's getting sufficient spark? How would I check fuel distribution to that cylinder?
I did not remove wire with a boot puller but was very careful.
Try swapping #1 and #2 spark plug wires (both ends of course) to eliminate a spark plug wire problem, then swap the spark plugs to eliminate a spark plug problem.

If the #1 cylinder problem still exits, then you could swap the #1 and #2 fuel injectors to see if perhaps the #1 injector is clogged/defective. Then, if the problem shifts to #2 cylinder, you probably have a fuel injector problem.
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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible
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Old 08-17-2008, 05:33 PM
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Great idea! I swapped the wires and spark plugs as advised and the problem still exists in the number 1 cylinder. I am now going to swap out the injectors. Will keep you posted.
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Old 08-18-2008, 08:48 AM
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1988 190E Very Rough Stalling Problem

This morning I swapped the two injectors and the problem remained in the #1 spark plug. Other suggestions?

Thanks
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Old 08-18-2008, 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Diesel1 View Post
This morning I swapped the two injectors and the problem remained in the #1 spark plug. Other suggestions?

Thanks
Swapped spark plug wires...no change
Swapped spark plugs...no change
Swapped fuel injectors...no change

Next: Verify that the Distributor Cap and Rotor are good.

Next: Check Compression. Do a compression test for all 4 cylinders and compare the results.
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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible
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Old 08-18-2008, 05:15 PM
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Maybe check your IACV? I had an "irregular", not necessarily rough, idle in my 190 and after I hit the IACV with some brake cleaner it smoothed out perfectly.
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  #9  
Old 08-20-2008, 02:34 AM
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1988 MB 190E Very Rough Idle - Bad News!

Finally got to the compression test, Number 1 cylinder very low compression. This fix is beyond me so I took it to a trusted mechanic who will remove the head tomorrow and let me know the bad news. This car has 150K and is in pretty good shape otherwise.


What are the thoughts on what news I should expect as far as damage and costs? Is it worth to repair?

Thanks,
Bob
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Old 08-20-2008, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Diesel1 View Post
Finally got to the compression test, Number 1 cylinder very low compression. This fix is beyond me so I took it to a trusted mechanic who will remove the head tomorrow and let me know the bad news. This car has 150K and is in pretty good shape otherwise.


What are the thoughts on what news I should expect as far as damage and costs? Is it worth to repair?

Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob,

The head gasket is one of those things that at some point will need to be replaced. It sounds like you could possibly have a burnt or bent valve.

I replaced the head gasket (due to oil in coolant) on my '93 190E 2.3 exactly 1 year ago. The car had 87,000 miles and I bought it new and felt that the car was worth the effort. I did all of the work myself and had the head resurfaced, a valve job, and new valve guide seals done at a machine shop. I also replaced all of the rubber hoses, new hood pad, engine mounts, transmission mount, injector seals, a couple of temp. sensors, and a few other things since I was in there. I spent $1,073.00 to do it right and got the head re-worked, and all necessary parts. I don't regret spending the money, it turned out great and runs as good as new.

The minimum amount to do the head gasket myself would have cost
$365.00: Head gasket set, valve cover gasket, all new rubber radiator and heater hoses, Idle control valve hoses(they get brittle and crack), and coolant and distilled water.

Good luck with your car,

Dave

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible
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