Arrgh!

OK, I have a customer's 300E in because the shop I PAID to put a fuel distributor never did the job... (Im not a shop btw).

Long story short, I had the car towed back in, and replaced the fuel distributor.

Car still won't start. Ideas?

Thanks in advance.. I'm at a loss

What made you think it was the FD? That is an expensive part to replace without a firm diagnosis.

What parts have you tested? Spark?

I would look closely at the fuel system, especially the fuel pump relay. In a '92 it should have the MAS setup. Swap it for a known to be good unit. I have seen one that looked fine but was no good. Swapped it and the car fired up.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

I agree. That's got to be the single most misdiagnosed part in all of Mercedesland......

Well,

It starts with fluid and then idles on the rough side. Once running, it stays running albeit at a bit of a rough idle.

I was just out playing with it some more. The #1 cylinder was, for a while, not getting fuel (#1 assumes closest to radiator).

Now it is.

Car did once catch on its' own for a split second.. but now refuses to start without fluid.

Spray some carb cleaner on the intake, starts right up.

Spraying carb cleaner towards the back of the intake manifold clears out the idle.. so clearly it also has some sort of vacuum leak back there.

Spark is VERY strong on all cylinders.

This sucketh.

Please check the fuel pump relay. Does the system have electronic control?

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Any idea if I can swap that part from a 1990 300E and where it might be located?

Thanks!

part is located near the firewall. Will probably say 'kickd.' You might also have the MAS setup, but im not sure about a 124 car. If the '90 is the same as your setup it should work.

Did you check for electronic control? Without this, the car will be hard to start as you will have no cold start enrichment.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

1990 300E

I have similar problem. My car won't cold start. It cranks. Any suggestion?