Have an 87 16V that refuses to idle. Attempt to hold at a steady rpm and it will surge like it is cleaning up and then drop like it is out of gas or loading up. I tend to think out of gas as the plugs are really clean. O.V. relay good, EHA checks out o.k., temp sensors o.k. fuel pressure checked at cold start line (the only one I can tap into) checks out o.k.. fuel relay o.k. I checked the throttle valve swith and my results do not correspond with what the c.d. says. Has anyone ever experienced a problem with one of these? What would the symptoms be? The car has sat for about 6 months and the gas level in the tank got real low. I wondering if maybe it ingested some garbage as when I purged the lines afer the pressure test some rusty looking fluid initially came out and then clean up after the next test. Could a clogged filter cause some strange symptoms? Thanks

Did you visually inspect the plugs, cap,and rotor as well? When u said that the car set for 6 mos, was it started at all during this time period or was it sitting? Good luck, Joe

Yes, a clogged filter or even some dirt in the fuel distributor can do this. There is a screen on the inlet fitting that adapts the fuel line to the distributor.

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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

Thanks for all the help. I ended up richening the mixture and now it idles, but I still believe it has a vacuum leaks somewhere as it is still a bit rough. The vacuum gauge, at idle in drive, is about 1/3 off the stop. I can`t recall it being there before. I`ll keep looking. Thank`s again everyone. At least that new tensioner and chain are nice and quiet!