1992 500sl
 

I bought an 500sl from my neighbor, the engine has not been started since early 2007 and just 3 days ago after I replaced a new battery, I tried to start the car, the engine turned and it took me about 12 tried to start up the car, once started the engine missed and could not idle and I could not rev the engine higher that 1700RPM. I also noticed that the gas gauge, tach, oil pressure do not work and the SRS light was on. Once the engine started it seems as the car was running too rich and there lots of black smoke came out of the tail pipe. Can you please advice me as on this matter.

a car that has been sitting since 1997 started with just a new battery? I would recommend getting it into an indie for some basic maintence. I'm not too sure you want to start it again without getting some work done on it. You definately dont want to pull whatever is in the tank through the filters and into the motor. was there fuel stored in it??

There were only about a gallon of fuel left in the tank. I put in 6 fresh gallons of fresh fuel in it prior to started the engine. Today I'll replace the fuel filter and possibly flush the tank and put in a can of sea foam as many reaommended is that a good idea.?
You still have the 164, i was a big fan of AR I have had about 30 Alfa during the past 20 years some of which was the Milano, Verde, Gtv6, Sprint Veloce, Alfetta GT, Alfetta Sedan, 74 GTV, 76 Spider, Berlina, Gulia Super, 84 Spider, 84 Guiletta, 88 Gulietta, SUD, Sud Sprint, 164 both Twin Spark and 3.0. But my favorite one was 1971 1300 TI and Gulia super, I think they are well balanced and just fun cars to drive.
Thanks for the note, I'll have a talk with some of the guy at the Shop and see what he thinks.
Cheers,
Paul

Don't have the Alfa anymore either, wife made me sell it too, she said everytime something broke on it it was her fault, haha. they are great cars but the last few years were built with cheap parts. Mechanically they were fun to drive but when little things like door handles break regularly its time to get rid of it.

I look forward to them coming back into the country.

I dont know a lot about the sl but a family member has a 91 320sl that sits for years at a time and every time he wants to drive it it needs new fuel pumps. Fuel in the tanks can clog lines and fuel injectors and cause more problems than that i'm sure. get it fixed right now and you will have a nice car for a long time.

I've been looking into one of those sl's lately myself, the price on all used mercedes accross the board have really come down and I like the pre-chrysler stuff a lot.