Hey guys:

I've been living with the hard to start scenario on my 1983 190e. Basically what happens is that in the mornings when I crank it it will start fairly quickly, but then sometimes it hesitates for a few seconds before it gets a stable idle.

Then if I drive it around, go to the grocery store, come out and try to start it, I have to crank it for several seconds (no foot on gas pedal) and then eventually it "catches" and runs at like 100 rpm, brup brup brup, and after about 15 seconds it speeds up by itself to a stable idle at say 750 rpms. If I press the gas while starting, after several seconds it will start and race due to gas being pressed, but if I take my foot off the gas it slows right down and can stall. I have to nurse the gas paddle for the first few seconds until it stabalizes enough to keep running and then I'm set.

Either way once the car gets to the stable idle, then it runs and drives like there is nothing wrong.

What is up with this problem. Anyone figure it out? I've seen some posts about it in the past, tried to chase it a while back but I gave up. Now I'm trying to see if I can solve it again.

Incidentally, when it all worked some time ago (I've had this problem for over a year now), I used to click the key, crank for 2 seconds or so, and it was running right away at a stable idle. Something has changed and I don't know what, and, whatever it is, it doesn't seem to affect the way the motor runs once you drive away.

ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

-=>Raja.

__________________
1983 MB 190E, bought from Germany and shipped to the US in 1986.