190E DYI Cold Start valve questions?
 

Hello, I have a new to me, 1987 190E 2.3 8v auto with onlu 50,000 miles that has been sitting with only intermittent driving for almost 20 years. Car is in fabulous shape and runs like a brand new car except for 1 or 2 things... When I start it in the morning (cold and in the garage) at about 65 degree's, it has a longer crank time than I would expect (5-8 seconds) and then starts and runs at about 750 RPM. It idles just fine but it doesn't have any "fast " idle that I can tell. I put it into gear, the RPM's drop to maybe 650ish and I can drive it like normal. The question I have is, how do I check the cold start valve to make sure it is working? How do I clean it if I have to? Also, I have checked the temperature sensor for that system and it seems to check out (in ohms) alright.
The next thing it does is have a long crank after the engine is warmed up and has been turned off for anything longer than maybe 15-20 minutes. When it finally starts, it is rough for a few seconds then idles as if there is nothing wrong. I have searched for many days on this but cannot seem to come up with any answers... I put SeaFoam in the gas tank 3 times in a row when i refilled the tank and it does not seem to make any difference. Any help would be wonderful! Thanks, Matt

Hello everyone... I was hoping for a reply of some kind, but.. oh well. I'm still having the same issues. Can anyone tell me how to clean the cold start valve? I've searched many times and many forums and lots of people say to clean it but I have not found any instructions on HOW to clean it. I have a copy of the manual also but that's not much help either unless I'm looking in completely the wrong spot.

Thanks!

The first thing I would do is check the hoses going to and from the Idle Control Valve. There are probably 3 hoses in the top circuit and 1 on the bottom going to the intake boot. If these are old, brittle, cracked, etc., then they need to be replaced.
Check and report back. Also, PM sent.

Thanks SLK! The hoses are also all just like brand new, nice and rubbery, no cracks (i've even sprayed carb cleaner on them while it is running.). I am pretty sure it is just all varnished up from sitting for so long, almost 20 years of just 300-500 miles a year and only in the summer. I would really appreciate any kind of help and will try to answer any questions that I can. Thanks, Matt