Opinions on Bringing 300E Back from the Dead... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 08-24-2009, 02:21 PM

Is there a problem with the fuel system? If the car was running when stored and the fuel cap was properly in place, there should be no problems. If you're worried, just pour in a can or two of B12 and burn that gas out of there.

Shaun McCarren · #17 08-24-2009, 02:46 PM

Thanks Larry,
Nope not worried about a fuel problem...the tank was sealed well as yesterday when I opened the cap I could hear the pressure release. Just don't want to cause problems upstream...I had just replaced the fuel injectors prior to storage (along with other maintenance items). I'm not familiar with B12 (I just googled it and found some info on it)...is there a big difference between that and other cleaners (lucas, etc.) in your opinion?

arkie · #18 08-24-2009, 10:39 PM

You can add whatever you want to that gasoline and it still isn't going to burn right after two years. I'd plan on getting that gas out of there and putting some fresh gas in along with a can of seafoam. Change the fuel filter, too. You don't have a fuel rail on that KE-Jetronic, or else I would say drain the rail too. I just did this same exercise on a 87 BMW 325 that had been sitting "a couple years", previous owner tried to get the car running but gave up when they pulled the in-tank pump out and smelled the stale gas and saw the residue in the tank. I ended up draining the tank, cleaning any residue I could get to out (especially in the baffled area where the pump sucks), and replacing both fuel pumps to get mine going. I sprayed starting fluid to get the car going enough to have a buddy start tapping on injectors to get them spraying. Your situation shouldn't be as extreme, but I would expect to have to get fresh gas and a filter in there as a bare minimum.

babymog · #19 08-24-2009, 11:15 PM

I'm with Larry on this.

If the fuel smells like gasoline when you open the cap, and it's been sealed, probably fine. It will not have as much power as fresh gasoline, but it shouldn't be a problem for the fuel system or engine to run on it. If it runs, fill the tank with a little alcohol-based fuel system dryer and top it up with premium, run it.

I deal with boats that have been stored sometimes for years, fuel's fine if it's not contaminated just a little low on power and could detonate a little so easy on the pedal for that first tank-full.

#20 08-25-2009, 07:23 AM

I would burn that fuel out of there and THEN change the fuel filter. As Mog says, if it smells like good gas, looks like good gas and burns like good gas, then it's good gas. Changing gasoline in a tank is a hassle and a hazard. Unless it smells really foul, it poses no threat to your fuel system.

B12 is not much more than Benzene. It is cheap and it will emulsify(sp?) any condensation that might be in the tank so that it will go through the fuel system and burn.

There are zillions of fuel additives out there, but for your purpose, the main thing is to burn out whatever condensation might be in the tank. B12, or a bottle of rubbing alcohol from the drug store will accomplish this without laying out big bucks for one of the snake oil additives.

hanno · #21 08-25-2009, 11:08 AM

OK, when and where will the "Manual Transmission 300E club meeting" be?

Also, are clones allowed or will the OP (originality police) kick me out?

Shifter: I was disappointed in the stock shifter throw lengths, had it rebushed and modified for shorter throw. Its much better, but not perfect. No speed shifting. Its best suited as a mechanism to get you up to Autobahn speeds in a reasonable time.

#22 08-25-2009, 11:27 AM

We won't suspend the presence of the originality police until I find a really nice 300E to swap my five speed into.

junqueyardjim · #23 08-26-2009, 01:47 PM

I really love mine also. I bought it in the spring of 2008 and it had been sitting in Michigan since the fall of 2000. The seller never thought I could drive it from Grand Haven to central Indiana. Well it was rough at first. It was very low on fuel so when I picked it up we added 3 gallons to the tank. Then we went down the road about 3 miles to the first gas station and filled it up and aired up the tires. Well, it was Tulip Time in Holland, MI and all my Dutch cousins were dancing in the street and that 300E really wanted to quit running. I had a bad time getting that thing through Holland. Then on the Interstate again it really was running bad. Now this little car was running on only 5 cylinders. I didn't know what was the matter, but it was really dead on one cylinder and the seller was of a mind that it needed an engine.
Then down the road a ways I stopped at a Walmart to see if they had anything that I thought would pick that engine up enough to get me home, about another 150 miles. So I bought a can of Lucas Injector Cleaner for gas and Diesel. I still had only 5 cylinders, but it ran like a rabbit. I even ran it up to an even 100 just for the fun of it. You know at 100 mph, the loss of that dead cylinder is pretty hard to feel.
Well, it did have a big head problem. It is an 86 and I have all paper for the car and the LA Dealer had replaced the cam and the bolts which which hold the rocker blocks to the head. At least on paper that change was made. Yet, when I checked here at home, one rocker assembly had come completely loose. Two studs had come loose, and two were broken and the cam was badly marked up and then I lucked out by having John Hef in the DC area come up with an 89 300E. Well, we got that engine installed, I did it in my garage with good help from Brett Bell known on the forum as Bajaman. Bajaman, is just an outstanding mechanic and a wonderful fellow to work with. So now it was August of 2008, had that beautiful little car all cleaned up and nice and I took the AZ title from a guy in Michigan to the BMV.
Don't make that mistake guys. If you buy a car of Ebay, get a copy of both sides of the title before you go. If it isn't letter perfect, make him get it corrected before you pay for the car. I just loved that car when I saw it! And that is the way it is with most of us with these Mercedes. But Dangit, if you don't get a clean title you're in big doodoo. So I go to Michigan, just a 300 mile trip and I see the car and get the title, and it is the Arizona Title. Oh I fummed a bit, but what are you going to do. Well, back in the 60's and 70's when I was selling trucks in Wisconsin and later in Arizona, it was not a difficult problem and I could get it done. But times have changed and titles are much more difficult to work with now. I took the title to BMV and they flatly rejected it. No way would they look at that title until it had been registered in MI. I tried to get it done using the paper and instruction they gave me, finally made up my thinking that these trips to BMV were a waste of time. So I gave it to my friendly Attorney and he said he could get it done for $200.00. Well, he did, but it took about 8 months. I did once in a while take the plates off the 300D and take it for a run in the country on week ends, but it is not a fun way to drive a 300E 5 Speed. But now it's legal, it's beautiful and above all it is a screamer. I can't believe the performance of that little inline six. There must be a turbo mounted in there some where, under that massive intake system or someplace. I know they hid it well. I did have to replace the water pump last month - not much fun. Still didn't find the turbo, it's probably hidden in the crankcase.

arkie · #24 08-27-2009, 11:55 PM

I've got to give Larry Bible credit where credit is due - I tested his theory yesterday on a '92 300E. A customer had one towed into the shop that hadn't run in over a year, and she didn't want to spend much money to get it running so I didn't drain the tank or even add SeaFoam to it. Had a half tank of fuel in it, smelled somewhat stale but certainly not the worst I've experienced. Changed oil in the car (dipstick wasn't even touching oil, yikes !!!), put a charging pack on it, and went to town. It took a few minutes of coaxing, but I got it started and finally able to idle on its own. Did a preliminary adjustment on the Lambda tower today, and the car is amazingly running smooth as silk with no flat spots. It was a little hard to start today, but I found the OVP fuse blown so I expect a good start tomorrow. The car has 202K miles and is in good shape for its age and a little bit of neglect - everything was mechanically sound on the body, all the windows work, balljoints and flex discs are in good shape. Wouldn't mind having this one myself.

Shaun McCarren · #25 08-30-2009, 01:12 AM

Today I cleaned up the engine compartment with degreaser and washing things down. I then changed the oil and coolant. I threw in a new MB battery. Pulled the plugs and put some marvel mystery oil down each plug. I added some seafoam to the tank and a gallon of fuel. I then pulled the main lead to the distributor so I could turn the engine over without firing to help lubricate things. I then reconnected the lead to the distributor. Turned the key and after a few minutes of intermittent cranking the engine started and idled pretty well. Good oil pressure, good temp. Ran for about 15 minutes, I shut the engine down a few times to see if I could continue to get it started up. No problem. I continued to check the fluids and everything is good. Seems like the motor mounts are collapsed and I have a tick in the head.

My fellow MB buddy and best friend wanted to see if we could get the brakes working/tested and after confirming they were working we took it for a short drive up and down the neighborhood street. Came back and parked in the driveway and shut down.

Well, about 15 minutes later I was ready to park it in the garage and couldn't get it to start. I cranked it several times and couldn't get it to start. I heard a couple of times a popping sound that I can't isolate but concerns me (I could see the hood shake)...not a backfire but more mechanical. Which again scares me. It's possible that its just the fuel stirred up sediment by driving...I also parked slightly lower in the driveway with a 5-10º incline (nose pointed up). I'm going to try to see if I can get it started again tomorrow.

Next up. Brakes, brake fluid. PS fluid. Air filter. Fuel filter. New tires. Deep clean the interior. Polish the exterior. Then the top of the engine needs to be rebuilt. Needed a new cam before being stored. Other items were taken care of prior to storage (plugs, wires, injectors).

Thanks Larry and everyone else for your advice. Keep it coming.

babymog · #26 08-30-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun McCarren

Needed a new cam before being stored.

Eh? New cam? Is it broken and you're hearing pistons and valves collide?

Shaun McCarren · #27 08-30-2009, 01:25 PM

No, the lobes are worn a bit.

Shaun McCarren · #28 08-31-2009, 02:26 PM

Started up without much problem yesterday. I added some a few gallons of fresh gas as well. I ran the car at about 2,000 rpm for several minutes and everything was silky smooth. It does however run rough as I let of the accelerator or let it idle. I believe the sound I was hearing was the vehicle being starved of fuel. I haven't put the car on ramps yet, but I fear I have a bad catalytic converter - sounds like an exhaust leak and when I pulled the car in the garage the driveway had rust dropped off in the shape of either an exhaust shield or the converter. I won't have a chance to check it out further till this weekend.

Shaun