My 80' 450sl has started running rough and is getting progressively worse. If I advance the timing as far as physically possible (maybe 20deg) the car runs better but runs fast. All of the plugs now show carbon build up where they didn't a couple of months ago. Any thoughts?

Take it to a shop that has a scope. You may just need some resistor ends and new plugs. have it checked and save time and money.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1991 GMC Syclone
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Perhaps your timing chain has jumped a sprocket and retarded the timing one the righthand cam. If this happened, consider yourself lucky it wasn't worse. Good luck!


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo