What the hell is this under the Distributer cap?

[Merkey]

Just bought an IMMACULATE 88k mile "survivor" 190E 2.6.
Its not running because of "Ignition Issues".
This is how it looks under cap!!!!
What the hell is that?


Here is the Rotor...


And one of the EZL connections is off.


Its not running, and I was gonna start by getting a new cap and rotor..
maybe i should add plug leads?

Anyone got opinions or insight?
I am ordering a cap and rotor.

[bsmuwk]

That looks like a nice case of the 100k mile tune up.
The plug wires should be good for a lot longer than 100k miles. Get yourself a set of copper core non resistor spark plugs and you should be good to go.

[cth350]

go slow on buying parts.
read lots of forum posts and filter out the chaff.
Get some understanding of things like the OVP, crank position sensor & plug recommendations.

Copper plugs are a necessity. So is reading the book carefully and making sure things are to spec, like having copper non-resistor plugs with resistor wiring (One common deviation from spec is having resistor plugs and low impedance wires). But don't have resistor plugs with resistor wiring, because that just won't work well.

Ignore the computer overhead for a second and go back to the basics of air, fire and water (er, fuel). You need compression, a spark and fuel to burn. If starting fluid gets you a second or two of engine running, it's not your ignition.

-CTH

[sptt]

That rotor and cap look horrible! Replacing both has gotta help something!

[Merkey]

Firstly, I am no stranger to Mercedes, We have 3 in the household... plus this one soon as I get it home!
Know and almost love the OVP... it alowed us to buy a amazing '88 300TE with 65k miles cos it ran like crap, stalled its way into our loving care.
Some of you know my son Ps2cho who has 2 X M103 engined 124's, the 300TE mentioned and a '87 260 that is lowered and AMG'd to heaven!
We have worked hard on his stuff and he and I have learned and done everything.
I have a cheap and cheerfull 1984 190D.


I just about fell over when I saw the cap on this one... looked like someone threw an egg in there and ran it!

Need to get it home this week, as its in a storage.
I shopped for a cap, rotor and wires locally but the cost was double, so it will have to wait until the post arrives.
If I clean the cap up might it run well enough to get it home?

Oh, and here is is!
Its a 1991 2.6 with 88k miles, really nice original paint, with minimal chips and dings. Interior is immaculate, and no sun fading.

[tbomachines]

To my untrained eye, I would say that water probably leaked into the cap, did it have a rubber O-ring around the outside? The rotor looks like it just has normal wear

[sptt]

Exterior looks great! I'm sure you can get it running!

[Merkey]

I will go today and take some supplies, try to clean up the cap, and see if it will start.

[sptt]

Yeah....I'd scratch the cap contacts with a screwdriver very lightly to expose the metal contacts. Get some 1.99 Auto Lite plugs at AutoZone and put those in too. May want to borrow your OVP and take some starting fluid too! Good luck!

[mak]

fuel pump relay ; pull out and clean the pins same for OVP and hopefully you will have it running.
mak

[Merkey]

Good ideas.
I suspect the OVP too.
Its been sitting somewhere since Feb 2010 when the tags expired, and as the battery is new looking yet flat, I bet its been jumped... surefire way to kill an OVP.
Only other thing I saw that was wrong with it was the parking brake... the button is stuck in and so it wont stay on when pulled up...

[david s poole]

that stuff in your cap is called the GREEN CRUD.we saw it a lot in the early 119 motors .

[Merkey]

I went this afternoon armed with my kit...
Sprayed the cap and rotor with WD40, and cleaned the "Green Crud" off.
Rubbed all the contacts with wire wool, and 400 wet/dry.
Replaced the cap and realized that #1 plug lead was MIA.... and the plug too!
Found the lead with the battery... but no sign of the plug..
A quick rummage in my son's "emergency kit" in the trunk of the 300TE and I found a plug, and popped it in...
With fingers crossed I attached the portable power station and powered it up...
I spun over for about half a sec and FIRED!
It settled into a lumpy idle for maybe 10 sec and then smoothed out!
I allowed it to warm and took it for a spin.
Engine runs great, Oil Pressure is perfect 3 bar anything over 1500rpm and just over 1bar at idle.
Drove it the 25 miles home, and its sitting on my drive!!!!

[css190e]

I changed my dist. cap the other day and found that same crud, looks like some kind of sulfur compound .. Hurray for the OVP! Maybe some BG 44K to clean the insides a little ?
Looks and sounds like you got a great deal! enjoy

[sptt]

Merkey,

Ha ha!!! That is great! Way to go! I wonder why it was missing a plug and wire? A mystery to be solved later?