My 1988 2.3 190E starts just fine in the mornings when the engine is cold. If you switch it off and then on again within a minute, it starts without a problem. If however, it has been switched off for a while but the engine is still warm, it starts only after the kickstarter has cranked many times (up to 10). It does eventually start every time but this is embarrassing and has already resulted in the loss of one kickstarter. Once started, the engine idles smoothly and accelerates smoothly. I would appreciate some help with this.

Have a fuel system pressure test done. Any loss of pressure can cause a problem with hot starts. The test should also verify the correct pressure differential between the upper and lower sections of the fuel distributor.This would check the EHA, which could also cause problems.
Regards,
Randy D.

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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 19 Years

I have the same problem with my 1988 M102 engine. Its only has 65k on it. It starts right up when cold or hot, but when its warm it cuts in with difficulty and cuts right out. I am going to have the fuel pressure check valve replaced this weekend. I'll let you know if that fixes the problem.
yal
88 230e (W124)

Be sure to check the most obvious thing, the overvoltage relay. They are cheap and fail often. Also a coolant sensor could cause this.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks for all your replies. How can I do a pressure check on my injector? Yal, how did the car perform after the valve was changed?

Changed the fuel pressure valve but I still get the bad hot start unfortunately. The change did clean up the noise coming from fuel pump significantly so it wasn't a wasted chore!
Probably going to have to look else where to find the problem. What annoys me is that the thing will start right up just a little hard the second time and off I go. I feel like I am doing some long term damage somewhere.
There are a few things suggested by Benzmac I am going to check i'll let you know how those go and if I ever get to the bottom of this.

yal 88 230e (W124, M102)

Thanks for the reply. Is the over-voltage relay found in the fuse box? Is it that one that switches on and off the fuel pump when you start the car? I still don't know how to go about doing a pressure test.

This over voltage relay amazes me too. Apparently it seems to affect a lot of things. Mine is located near the battery terminal on the passenger side of the car. Do a search on the forum I am sure someone has put down the location of yours.

yal 88' 230E (W124 m102)