1984 190E wont idle when warmed up - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holmesuser01 · #1 09-19-2007, 11:41 PM

Hello gentlemen.

I've posted here before, and got some mighty good advise that has really helped me in my quest to make this fine car good again.

Owned it since April '07, and have replaced alot of previously done work and rewiring. I bought the service manual at the MB store here. Big help!

Bought a few used and a few new parts. A local garage has been really helpful with the used parts.

But I have a problem that has me perplexed.

2.3L 8V. Original engine. 150K miles on odometer.

When I start it up cold, outside temp 60 degrees F or so, it goes to fast idle just fine. If I try to drop in in DRIVE, it will die. Starts right back up everytime. If I press the gas pedal just a bit, it will run fine, and let me drive it.

Warmed up, it will usually die at a traffic light when stopped. Tach indicates about 800 rpm before it starts running rough. Also has no idle power. Will die when I put it in reverse or drive.

In normal driving, it is fast, and has good, if not decent acceleration. Gas mileage is OK, but I do notice that the tail pipe is black and the cat converter really stinks sometimes.

I've replaced all the vacuum lines on the engine and tranny. No leaks. The formed hoses all seem to be OK... They are hard, but not cracked...

I am beginning to understand how this car works from what I have read in the service manual, and a Haynes manual. Can somebody here point me in a direction? The idle air valve clicks when I turn on the ignition, and all the vacuum lines are connected to the right places... Just doing this much has improved the vacuum on the economy gauge.

This car was having idle issues when I got it. I started running premium gas, installed a new fuel filter (Wix), fixed the numerous oil leaks, replaced lots of other parts that were obviously damaged or missing. I've put over 3000 miles on it since the end of May, when I tagged it. It continues to run better and better the more it is driven. Im glad I bought it. Incredible ride, too!

Thanks!

Bruce
Asheville, NC

Holmesuser01 · #2 09-27-2007, 02:08 PM

GOT IT!!! Found a rounded out molded hose under the idle air valve. It was connected, but was letting air in. Found it by spraying a small spritz of carb cleaner at the connection while my friend kept his foot on the gas. It revved when the cleaner hit it. Replaced the hose, courtesy of the local dealer, and it idles now. Wow. So easy! And THIS was the main reason the previous owner sold it in the first place.

I discovered this hose while reading all the old posts on the 2.3 190E's here. THANK YOU ALL!

I guess by not getting any replies to this, you were telling me to take the time to read the old posts? It worked.

david s poole · #3 09-27-2007, 05:46 PM

glad you found it,generally speaking a vacuum leak can have a large effect at idle but as the revs rise thru 1200-1500 the effect is minimal.you mentioned a stinking catalyst,bet you the previous owner richened the mixture at the 3mm ajustment to add some fuel for the vacuum leak.now it will be running too rich.

crhenkel · #4 09-27-2007, 09:49 PM

CHeck the funny little tower shapped do hicky at the fuel distributor area. If yours has been altered it might be more obvious if they left teh "security" ball out after it was drille dout to allow adjustment. Most people dont replace it. IF the top of the tower is open and you can put a 5mm hex hey down it, try adjusting it...A LITTLE BIT, say a 1/8 or a little less of a turn counter clock wise I think to make it more lean. DO a lot of searching on the forum before you adjust it an it will save you a lot of heart ache. DO not blindly adjust the setting, you will be sorry.

david s poole · #5 09-28-2007, 11:47 AM

that's a 3mm hex not 5mm.prob a slip of the finger.

Holmesuser01 · #6 03-26-2011, 12:24 PM

This is an update for this topic... Its now 3/2011.

Last month, I was working on the intake on my 190. Replacing the rubber mounts under the fuel distributor upper manifold system. Removed the distributor, did the work, and dropped the distributor about 2 feet... butter fingers... I heard something in the distributor go "TIC", and some bad smelling gas came out of the fuel return connection. I put it back on the car, and found that the car now idles!

This month, I just finished installing a replacement rebuilt fuel distributor on the car. I havent got it dialed in, yet, but am noticing a vast improvement in the power curve, and am not smelling the catalytic converter now.

Im driving it and stopping for tiny adjustments with the 3mm wrench. It's getting better. More to come.