My 1984 380 SE has a hard starting problem. The car runs fine but does consume more than normal gas.

The early morning start is great - not a problem. So I am assuming it is not the accumulator.

Trying to start immediately after shutting off a hot engine is also great - not a problem.

However, if the car has been sitting for 4~5 hours after being driven, then it needs significantly more cranking to start it. And it starts up with a stumble - like a hit or miss till it starts idling smoothly.

What could be the issue ?

Amit

Four to five hours very closely resembles "Cold" from a fuel delivery standpoint.

The accumulator is of no use to a "cold" system, it is designed to maintain fuel pressure during the hour to two after shut-off when the heat of the engine will boil fuel waiting in the injectors. No pressure is needed on a cold engine as the pressure rises almost instantly with the fuel pump.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

The Wayward Woman ('81 380SL) had this exact problem until I replaced the fuel injectors.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe