Could it be bad gas? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

w123love · #1 10-27-2013, 07:20 PM

Hello all-

I'm considering going to the dark side and wetting my feet in petrol Mercedes.

During a test drive today in a W123 200 (M102), the car was very sluggish during initial acceleration. In first gear, with the accelerator pinned, the engine would struggle to accelerate, as if was starved of fuel. After a couple seconds of this struggling and slowly raising RPM's, it acted like a well performing engine, shifting through the gears and providing plenty of power with great acceleration.

Free-revving and idling was not a problem. The fuel in the car must be at least a year old.

Could this just be as simple as old fuel?

oldsinner111 · #2 10-28-2013, 10:27 AM

yes it could,use a fuel stablizer when you store your car

w123love · #3 10-29-2013, 06:51 PM

Just purchased some Joe Gibbs fuel stabilizer.

silverteam · #4 10-29-2013, 07:48 PM

No it couldn't be the gas. W123 200 (M102), this was never sold in america. (Go to a European website) By petrol you mean gas right?

pawoSD · #5 10-29-2013, 08:57 PM

If its in the USA and is a W123 with a M102 engine, then its a gray market car. Cool!

w123love · #6 10-29-2013, 11:59 PM

Quote:

No it couldn't be the gas. W123 200 (M102), this was never sold in america. (Go to a European website) By petrol you mean gas right?

Why can't it be the gas?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

If its in the USA and is a W123 with a M102 engine, then its a gray market car. Cool!

Yes...it's grey market. French import, just in 2010. From an Air Force aviation mechanic that loved it very much while stationed in Germany. It has expired registration from Michigan, but at least its been registered somewhere in the US.

And I just bought it....soooo I hope this is just a fuel issue. I would like to drive it the 100 miles home this weekend.

silverteam · #7 10-30-2013, 04:37 PM

It couldn't be the gas because the way you described your engine when it was running was fine and if it was the gas the engine wouldn't be running fine. It could be the fuel Injection system, it might have been set to European specs when it should be set to american specs. This car probly went through so many shade tree mechanic and everything is out of specs. You are an old mercedes driver probly you will notice If the transmission shifts to fast up in gears than you have the same symptoms.

w123love · #8 10-30-2013, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverteam

It couldn't be the gas because the way you described your engine when it was running was fine and if it was the gas the engine wouldn't be running fine. It could be the fuel Injection system, it might have been set to European specs when it should be set to american specs. This car probly went through so many shade tree mechanic and everything is out of specs. You are an old mercedes driver probly you will notice If the transmission shifts to fast up in gears than you have the same symptoms.

I can't be so sure about all of that.

It is a carb'd engine, so pretty straightforward in that aspect. Also its a 5-speed...so I guess I could theoretically shift really fast

Though I do agree, it could be set to American specs. It was only imported in 2010, and has only done 2k miles on US roads. Most of its time was on the Autobahn.

Moeturabi · #9 11-02-2013, 01:33 AM

not gas.. sounds more like the carb.. had a similar issue with the same car.. mine was parked for over 9 yrs.. had to clean up the carb, tank and replace all fuel lines

oldsinner111 · #10 11-02-2013, 04:53 AM

I just learned that to remove water from fuel,one must use two liters of methonal to a full tank of gasoline
these little bottles don't help much.I'm buying for my car,that I believe has water.

w123love · #11 11-02-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

I just learned that to remove water from fuel,one must use two liters of methonal to a full tank of gasoline
these little bottles don't help much.I'm buying for my car,that I believe has water.

Hmm I will do that before the oil change. Doesn't the methanol make the oil very water-y? That has been my experience while working with drag racing big blocks. We have to change the oil after every race it is so milky.

oldsinner111 · #12 11-02-2013, 04:08 PM

I put a pint in mine,I used the Heet stuff

w123love · #13 11-02-2013, 08:25 PM

Got the car today. 100 miles on the open road. No issues what so ever after using new gas. Next step is a "tune up". Whatever the heck that means in gasser terms...

gatorblue92 · #14 11-03-2013, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w123love

Got the car today. 100 miles on the open road. No issues what so ever after using new gas. Next step is a "tune up". Whatever the heck that means in gasser terms...

Post pictures! I would imagine a 200 is a pretty low spec euro model.