An actual update for everyone . I went ahead and went against mine and most every bodies recommendations and drove the 190e home today . The results were what I was hopping for, it stopped smoking after about 8-9 miles and it actually started running a little better. I have a bad OVP tho and am hoping to get a new one in tomorrow. I was not able to do any compression testing today due to the fact that I have been up for the past 36 hours plowing snow and dealing with a grumpy 6 month old teething (long story short, its a freaking mad house here lol)
I do have a question on the compression tests: Is there an easy way to make sure the piston is set at top dead center for performing differential leak down testing? All the times Ive done it in the past have been on aircraft engines which are horizontally opposed air cooled engine and we had a special tool/indicator the screwed into the upper spark plug hole and had a little rod on it that would indicate that the piston was at top dead center. Is there a tool like that for these engines or how do you guys set the piston?
Also when i start the car I have to keep giving it gas to keep it alive for the first 3-4 minutes and it runs like do-do, from what Ive read/studied this is one of the most common symptoms of a bad OVP. Did i read everything correctly or is there another common cause for the ruff running when cold? Ive seen several things listed that could cause the cold start issues but it all most all ways comes back to the OVP.

Well thanks again everybody and have a great Super Bowl Sunday, Im off to bed.

one word of warning about towing a mercedes. Just don't tow an automatic with it rear wheels on the ground any more than like 15-20 mph. You will blow up the transmission because a benz isn't a chevy. The secondary pump is pushing fluid when the rear shaft is turning.

The laws of physics are the same for German and American cars, they mix air, fuel & a spark in just the right amounts (hopefully) at just the right time (usually) and the the result is applied indirectly to the rear wheels to make it move. Basic rocket science.

The difference is going to be in the precision of the engineering and the determination of the engineers to make it work a little bit better than its contemporaries. The fuel injection system relies on cleanliness, no vacuum leaks and attention to the maintenance schedule. Don't let things slide over its whole life time and it won't let you down.

Now, to go through its systems one by one and bring them back to spec. It will drive you mad, pretty much on par with your other new addition to the family. Except that the human baby will cost more in the long run and both will cause you to make silly decisions that are not economically justified, but if taken with the right spirit will be rewarding in the end. (or so they tell me regarding my 15 year old).

-CTH

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Glad you got it home. I am curious about the compression test numbers now. Since it was running better you may just have some issues with the CIS or possibly some bad fuel. Any signs of oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil?

Thank god its the weekend lol!!! Im getting ready to take the ol' girl back to the shop to work on her a bit and gain some differential compression numbers .

CTH350: Very true about kids and Benz's lol, Ive also got a 9 year old daughter so Ive definitely got a lil experience with expensive decisions lol. Thank you very much for your word of advice about towing these girls, I haven't yet but thats a very good think to know . The engineering being so precise is what is all ways in the back of my mind when working on these types of cars, all tho like i said ive never messed with a benz but I've played with plenty of BMW's, Porches and the like so I am just aproaching this car like I have all the other euro imports lol. The fuel injection system is where Im going to be working on today. That is if I can get her started again, I drove her home the other night after replacing the OVP because she was running so much better and then when i went to start it and get it warmed up the next morning it wouldnt start . It was around -18F (-35F with the wind chill) when she wouldnt start so Im hoping that was part of the reason. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that im going to be able to get her started later this morning so i can take her to my shop and work on her.

I really need to try to clean the engine before I do to much more on it, anything any of you would recommend to do, not do, tricks that get it cleaner... and all that jazz? I am figuring I will just use the hotsey i have at work and some engine cleaner/degreaser, is that ok or is there another way i should do it? I just dont wanna fry any electronics or cause any damage cause

A novice mechanic like me can get a M103 and transmission in and out of a W201 in a day with an engine hoist and jack stands. And without losing the AC gas.

A 20 year mechaninc should have no trouble.

These cars are highly logical in the way they are put together. Just take notes and or use a digital camera as you take things apart and put them back together.



You can put a 3 litre M103 in for extra power. You need to use the original 722.4 transmission and torque converter.