1987 2.3-16 idle speed increases after warm up - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

acorvair · #1 12-27-2008, 01:16 PM

I have a 1987 190E 2.3-16. hyad 224K on it. I personally rebuilt the engine. It runs strong but the idle speed increases over 2000 RPM after it warms up. Also I had to make (surface grind) valve adjusting shims to thinner thickness to set valve clearance. After engine break in, valve clearance increased. M/B dealer can no longer get me selective fit shims, where can I obtain them? It appears ther is no simple way to check for trouble codes or diagnose electrical malfunctions in these year cars, is there a simple way? I also have another 1986 190E 2.3-16 with 60K it does not want to crank over after sitting a while. Has new battery and starter, voltmeter reads charging about 14V when running.
Thanks
Gene Kennedy-ACorvair@AOL.COM

duxthe1 · #2 12-27-2008, 08:44 PM

The first test I'd do is pull the connector off of the idle valve and see if the idle increases more or not. That will tell you and us a lot about what is going on.

acorvair · #3 12-27-2008, 11:27 PM

Thanks for your reply. I tried to start the car today it cranked slowly and would not start. i jumped it with my 204D battery it cranked faster but still would not start. Sprayed some starting fluid in intake still no start condition. Amp gage read 12 volts at first, with jumper 13 volts I have charger on now and will slow charge overnight.. Also noticed dome light out, it was working last time I started the car about 3-4 weeks ago? I did not see any blown fuses but have not ckecked overload protection fuse today. Is there an easy way to check for spark to the plugs without burning anything out?My 240D and 88 10E 2.6 both started instantly today.
Gene Kennedy- ACorvair@AOL.COM

Tinker · #4 12-31-2008, 03:08 PM

Get a volt meter and you can do simple diagnostics at the X11 connector on the drivers side inner fender.

Some dealer still have the shim kits. I'm sure Phil, the parts guy at our host, can obtain the sizes you need. (I thought I read that some other car or maybe motorcycle uses the same size shims??)

Tinker

acorvair · #5 12-31-2008, 10:13 PM

Is that X11 the unit on the left inner fender that looks like it has a bottle cap screwed on to it?
I got the 87 190E 2.3-16 started yesterday after installing a new battery. I had removed the old battery that was in it had only 9V reading. Checked and all cells were discharged, put it on slow charge overnight. Rechecked in AM and no improvement, the battery was only 2 years old and is a 75 month battery. They pro rated it for time, replacement was $36. Car started right up with new battery and the voltmeter in console was reading about 14V when running indicating charge. Directional signals, radio and interior light was still not working either with engine running or stopped. I heard a clicking sound as engine was idleing that sounded like the click from driectional signals. I checked the 4 way emergency flasher switch and it was in off position. Went outside and noticed the front emergency flashers blinking. Road tested the car and it ran very strong easily and smoothly went to 7000 in first and second, which is the maximum the tach scale reads to. I did not feel the rev limiter try to shut down at 6800? Not a complaint I like unrestricted revs. I have driven euro 2.3 -16 which has tach scale reading to 8000 and it went to 8000. I have been told the euro versions do not have a rev limiter relay. Had half a tank of fuel, went station to refuel. Shut off car and front directionals and headlights kept flashing. Drove home and shut off ignition and directionals and headlights were still flashing. Disconnected the battery to stop them from flashing Car now resting with blanket of snow on New Years Eve. Another problem which may be related is a couple of days ago I tried to remove the plastic cover from the fuse box to get at the relay for the directionals. After unfastening the latch and hinge spring I lifted the cover up but it would not come out, gets cought on the directional relay which may be pulled up or cover may be coming loose from base with pins. I do not want to break the cover, so I latched it back. Good possability this relay is causing some problems? Any suggestions on this?
Since the engine runs strong he valve adjustment shims can wait for warm weather.

Gene Kennedy

Tinker · #6 01-01-2009, 02:19 PM

Gene,

Yes, that is the X11 connector.

The fuse cover is another PITA. I try to just lift up the one end if I need to replace a fuse. If you squeeze the back of the hold down bracket, it will be released and you can attempt to remove it. If I recall correctly, I think I remove the lower plastic window trim / hood seal (10mm screw) to get a bit extra space to manipulate it and get it out.

Tinker

acorvair · #7 01-01-2009, 11:50 PM

Work is on hold on the 87 190E 2.3-16. The temp was in the teens and 45 MPH wind gusts here in NYC. I have removed fuse box covers many times on the 5 M/B 190E cars I had or have. In fact I have changed the whole central electronics box on this car. I suspect on this one either the relay is pulled up or the cover is loose on the relay causing the plastic cover to get hooked on it when I try to slide it forward. The thought had occurred to me about what you said about removing the windshield trim to gain a little more space, may try that when the weather get warmer. Car is not used for work and I have enough other cars that do not have all the weird M/B quirks. I have 3 nice Ford Pintos that run and drive fine and give me no trouble unlike the Benz.
I used my 82 240D today started right up in AM with temp in the teens, but I had left the block heater on overnight. I had treated the 240D to new aftermarket glow plugs about 2 years ago, last summer it would not start. I found 2 of the new glow plugs burned out they had open resistance. I had saved the 4 original glow plugs, checked the resistance on them which was
good, reinstalled them and engine starts fine.

Thanks
Gene