260E 1987 lost acceleration after speeding 120mph
 

Hi,
I tried to run my 260E at 120mph. After 1-2 min driving I lost response from an acceleration pedal. When I pushed the pedal the vehicle started to slow down. When I released the pedal the car kept running without slowing down. So, an acceleration pedal worked like a brakes but very soft braking. The temperature and oil pressure were fine. I stopped and waited for 5-10 min. It was smoke inside the car coming from the area of the speed switch. It was almost no smoke under the hood – some from some device connected to the bottom of the cooling liquid container. When I started the car again and pushed acceleration pedal the car started jumping – speed up 10-20 mph and slow down losing response from an acceleration pedal and catching speed again and losing again.
Any ideas what happened?
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Andrew.
nesand@netzero.net

Look at it this way - you're still alive.

Either an ignition failure or plugged fuel filter. Smoke inside the car means something electrical failed, or the exhaust overheated -- in which case you have a plugged catalytic converter now.

Driving that fast isn't particularly bright unless you are in Germany and have the appropriate license.

Peter

how to check?
 

Hi,
How can I check:
1. an ignition failure
2. plugged fuel filter
3. a plugged catalytic converter?

Thanks.
Andrew.

Replace fuel filters first, they are the cheapest and easiest. Then inspect the ignition system -- cap, rotor, and wires for corrosion, worn contacts, and evidence of current leakage ("spiderweb" or "lightening" marks on wires and anything the get close to), and pull the plugs and check for condition. It's entirely possible that you melted oil ash and either masked the electrodes or shorted them.

If everything is fine there, check the vacuum -- if the economy gauge is aways high instead of sitting at the bottom peg at idle, you need to loosen the catalytic converter from the header pipe. If the car then performs normally (although VERY loudly!), the cat is plugged and needs to be replaced.

Actually firing will have to be confirmed by either ignition analyzer or diagnostic computer.

Peter

Is there really a license to drive fast????

Yes. You must be an experienced driver to exceed 100 kph in Germany. Don't know how much time that takes, but you can only get a provisional license first.

Note that most Americans take three or more tries (plus at least one extra round of driver's training) to pass the German driver's test. Not easy, they don't give you a license to drive if you can just steer the car like they do here.

It's necessary, too -- I've know people who went to Germany to visit thinking a AAA International Drivers license was good enough. One guy had three accidents in a hour! Different game over there, can make Boston or Miami look tame. Watching an endless stream of big Benz and BMW sedans blast past you going well over 100 mph while you are trying to get past an East German trailer truck grinding up hills at 45 mph isn't fun.

Peter

---- Yes. You must be an experienced driver to exceed 100 kph in Germany. Don't know how much time that takes, but you can only get a provisional license first. ----

Not exactly true, you have to go to driving school (theroratical and driving only with Instructor in a vehicle marked " Fahrschule". After x amount of theroratical and driving hours you get to take a written test and then a driving test. The driving test is a real pain.
After you passed both and received you license you can go as fast as you want ( and probably kill yourself ).

When did they start that???

I lived in Deutschland for 2 years, and only ever had to take a written test.
It just covered the European signs, and 'rules of the road' as I can remember....
This was in '85 though, and I was military.

I drove 100MPH+ every day!

I never felt the least bit intimidated or worried while driving in Germany. :cool:
Driving courtesy is part of the driving law! We could take some lessons here.:confused:
For instance, when you are merging onto the Autobahn, or any roadway for that matter, you must use the 'zipper' method for entry...one car merges..... one car passes....one car merges.
Comon Courtesy...unheard of here...people here run you into the shoulder before they'll let you in.:rolleyes:

My favorite is the strictly enforced law, that if you are not in the act of passing, you are verboten from being in the left lane!
Courtesy...:rolleyes:

Now driving in Italy....that's like amature nite, at the smash-up derby! This is w/in the last 5 years...
They are SO impatient....in a hurry to get to siesta I guess...
People are honking their horn at you from about 6-7 cars back-on up, one milisecond after the light turns green....it's hillarious!
They have better reaction times on the horns, than Big Daddy Don Gartlits!! LOL
Then it's on the floor till you get to the next light, with another mele of horn blowing.
I once was passed on the right-over a curb-driving on a occupied sidewalk....just to stop at the next light, one car length ahead...

I was looking for movie cameras...I thought they were taping Ronin-2

I do remember seeing the placard w/ the red 'F' on the car in Germany, and it's an 'L' in England if I remember correctly.
It gives you a 'heads up' that anything can happen when you are by that car!

A few things I can say about England driving is...Magic Round-a-bout..(look it up)...and the fact that you are on the wrong side of the car/road...

They have the 'straddle the line pass on the narrow 2 lane-soft shoulder-road with traffic going both ways' move too....:eek:
If you don't have a tyre in the gravel, you're gonna' get hit head on....
You are required to issue a 2 finger (middle and index w/ a twist) salute, as they clip your side mirror...:p
It's an experience you'll never forget....:D

thats only, like 60MPH...I just gotta say, I dont have as pecial license and I CAN drive as fast as I want to....

Hee, Hee
I was going 95 mph to Vegas from Cally. Saw a red blur in the mirror, suddenly it passed me like I was standing still. Honda Insight. Damn, those hybreds.

Have license to drive faaaaast but he was faster.