1990 190e 2.6 Not starting
 

I've searched the archives and tried everything that's been suggested but nothing works...... Here's the full story!

I've just replaced the head gasket on my 1990 190e 2.6 (U.K car). I lifted the head off complete with the entire inlet manifold and fuel injection system, and since putting it all back together, it just won't start!

I'm getting a good healthy spark on all the 6 cylinders, (firing in the right order and the timing is spot on as per the Haynes manual - checked by lining all the timing marks up - the one on the pulley at the end of the crank, the distributor (pointing to HT lead for cylinder 1) and the hole in the camshaft)

I'm getting fuel into each cylinder (plugs are wet)

The OVP relay is fine, as is the fuel pump relay.

All electrical connectors and vacuum connections appear sound and connected.

Any ideas what else might be wrong? Me and my dad have run out of ideas now! I've tried praying and kicking it.... lol

HELP!!!!!!!! I can't afford to take it down to the Merc dealers (let alone not actually being able to get it there!)!!!!!

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Martin

Your ignition timing might be 360 degrees out. There are two top dead center positions per cycle. You might be firing on the wrong one.

I don't think that is the case, I marked everything up very carefully when I took the cam sprocket off...

But is there any way of testing this?

Cheers, Martin

As long as you bolted the ROTOR adaptor to the cam properly, the ignition can't be out of time. However the cam might be out of time, of course that would result in little or no compression!
ARE the rubber idle hoses connected to the underside of the intake manifold?

I'm certain there is compression and that the cam is timed properly.

I'll have a check on the vacuum hoses underneath the manifold tomorrow (it's 10:30pm here in the UK!). Do you know exactly whereabouts they are underneath the manifold?

Cheers, Martin

P.S. There is a strong smell of fuel after cranking the engine over, as though the mixture is extremely rich........

Update:

Checked all the hoses underneath and on top of the inlet manifold/cylinder head, all are where they should be. I pulled them all off and checked for any obstructions in the pipes, just to make sure! All were fine......

All the electrical connectors are in place too

This morning when I tried to start it, it tried to fire up (after about 30 seconds of cranking) but just wouldn't 'take' when I stopped cranking.

I read in the owners manual that if after 4 seconds of trying to start the engine, you should floor the throttle. I've read from other sources that this puts the engine into an 'anti-flood' mode or something along those lines. Is this right, or am I pumping more fuel into the cylinders by doing this?

Thanks for any help in advance again!! <It's times like this I'm glad I've got a motorbike too....... lol>

Martin

Just a thought......

After depressurising the fuel system <as the manual suggested before taking the head off> do you need to do anything to repressurise it, or will it automatically repressurise when you crank the engine?

Cheers, Martin

You don't that I know of. The fuel pump is electric, so it will pressurize with key-on. There may be air in the system that needs to be purged. Are the plugs wet with fuel?

What does the compression look like? If you have compression and spark, you can try some starting fluid if you like. If it can't start, it looks like a timing issue.

Martin.....you mention in your initial post, that you checked the timing and firing order per the Haynes manual. I don't think they make a manual for that model. If they do....please let me know how to get one.

Ernie

That's true. I can't find a manual. They have one for the 2.3L. I have all but the MB transmission manual for my '89 190E 2.6, but they cover very little about the bottom end of the engine. I need a manual that covers the 2.6L engine. Where can I find one?

The ISBN number of the Haynes manual I have is 'ISBN 1 85960 450 1' It is the UK Haynes manual for all the 190s from 1983 to 1993 (A to L registration in the UK). I got it from euro car parts (http://www.eurocarparts.com)

Yesterday, I actually managed to start the beast (after about a minute of cranking with my foot on the floor - apparently it is an anti-flood mode the computer goes into....). I took it out for a spin and all seemed well. I just hope she starts again this morning!

Thanks for everyone's help, I'll be back if it doesn't start! lol

Martin

Thanks,

I just ordered a manual mere moments ago.:D Put it on the Concord and get it out here!

I'm a bit miffed that I have to order an aftermarket manual from the UK after I spent God knows how much money for every manual there is for this car from MB!:mad:

Martin....thanks for the info on the Haynes manual. I went to Euro's site and found it.
Good luck on getting your 2.6 straightened out .

Ernie

Thanks for everyone's help, she's up and running now, seems like it just needed to be cranked for a while longer than I thought (like a minute or so at least....!!!).

Unfortunately however, during my efforts to get it started, I messed with the mixture screw and it's not happy about that... Is there any way to set this at home (i.e. by number of turns out from fully down with the screw) or does it have to be done on a proper tuning machine at a garage?

Cheers (again!),

Martin