Help 72 280SE Dead - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mamali · #1 08-09-2006, 09:24 PM

I was driving home after a few miles she started running rough and cutting off. She will start if I hold the accelarator pedal down but after 2-3 minutes will run rough again and shot down. It made me so mad left it on the side of the road and walked 3 miles home. Any ideas???? Thanks

t walgamuth · #2 08-09-2006, 09:40 PM

possibilities

1. plugged fuel filters

2. air leak in fuel suction line

3. bad fuel

there may be other possibilities as well

good luck

tom w

meltedpanda · #3 08-10-2006, 09:32 AM

I would go with fuel delivery as cause. It is possible to be mecahnical or electrical but doubtful. Sucking too much air somewhere

could also cause what you describe (choke)
When you looked what did you find.

These are pretty simple beasts

ctaylor738 · #4 08-10-2006, 10:33 PM

Sorry to hear this. Sounds like the rust problems in the tank are back, and either the tank strainer or the filter in the fuel pump (or both) are plugged.

Also, try wiping the points with some contact cleaner, a little oil film will also behave like this.

mamali · #5 08-13-2006, 07:08 PM

Remember when some on this forum asked about getting a vintage Benz, and I suggested that carbs were more DIY friendly than an old fuel injection system. Then some chimed in to extol the virtues of FI over carbs.
Well, here I am at Mikes place and his SE was running great right up until it died again! Anyway it eventually restarted long enough to make it back and die again in his driveway. It's definitely fuel related as, according to my timing light, the ignition is maintaining a great spark while the engine dies. I was going to pull & inspect the fuel filter since Mike said he had a case of fuel filters in the trunk, but it turns out they're all oil filters, so he'll have to pick up a tank screen, fuel filter and related gaskets, later this week. Hope the fuel pump isn't taking a dump, as I hear they're real pricey!

Happy Motoring From Mike's Place, Mark/DrDKW

ctaylor738 · #6 08-13-2006, 07:39 PM

The tank screen can be easily cleaned and is sealed by a re-usable o-ring. There is a filter in the pump right behind the inlet that comes out with a 24 or 26mm socket or wrench. I believe that you will find the pump to be OK.

Mark DiSilvestro · #7 08-13-2006, 09:00 PM

Didn't know about the pump inlet screen. I'll take a look when I check the tank screen. Am assuming the fuel pump is OK for now.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Mark DiSilvestro · #8 08-19-2006, 11:32 PM

Well, another Saturday at Mikes place, working on fuel problems and other mechanical quirks on his SE. Mike bought a replacement fuel filter and gasket, and had already pulled the big fuel filter canister next to the injection pump before I got there, but then the new gasket went missing. (Mike thought maybe one of his 'doggies' had eaten it!) Fortunately, the gasket turned up by the time I got there. The old filter was full of crud. I installed the new fuel filter, then drove Mike to his neighborhood Sears, so he could buy a battery charger. While Mike's new Sears battery charger was reviving his totally dead new Bosch battery, I installed his new engine mounts.
I also pulled the tank drain plug long enough to see that the screen was OK, without losing too much gas. We went for a 15 minute test drive around the parking lot and nearby streets, close enough that we wouldn't have to walk too far, just in case. Car began losing power and stalling. We barely made it back to Mikes driveway. Tried to unscrew the inlet on the electric fuel pump but the effort threatened to rip out the rubber pump mounts. Time to try out my new Craftsman electric impact gun. Zipped out that pump inlet fitting - no problem. Inlet screen was totally caked in rust! flushed it with some spray solvent and blew it out with some of Mike's canned-air keyboard cleaner. Another 15-20 minute test drive, including a jaunt to a nearby Exxon self-serve to fill Mike's nearly empty tank. Car ran fine except for some in-Drive idling problems. Otherwise, decent power and no more chugging, backfiring or dying while accelerating.

Previously, I had discovered that the throttle linkage to the injection pump had worked loose at it's adjustment points, so I made an attempt to 'guesstimate' the correct adjustment. Since Mike got it, this car has never really idled very well in gear. For now, it's adjusted so it's idling a bit fast in Neutral, but smoother than it was, without stalling, in Drive.

There's this little 'test' I did to see if it's idling rich or lean. For now it seems to be rich when it's idling in Neutral, but lean when idling in gear. Possibly crud/carbon on the intake valves is diverting, condensing fuel vapor when it's in gear, idling slow, but the increased idle and airflow in Neutral allows more fuel vapor past the valves. Or there's still a fault in the adjustments or wear & tear in the injection pump. Or a combination of some or all of the above. Mike's going to try it out for several days, and make sure it isn't dying anymore, before we mess with it again.

Happy Motoring, Mark

meltedpanda · #9 08-21-2006, 10:15 AM

Mark,
can you come to my house next????

Mark DiSilvestro · #10 08-21-2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

Mark,
can you come to my house next????

Sorry, too far to commute.

Mike reported his car is starting easier now but his driveway is blocked by other vehicles so hasn't been able to test drive since I worked on it.

Happy Motoring, Mark

mamali · #11 08-22-2006, 08:41 AM

Took her for a 3-4 mile spin she seems okay. Would a BG 44 fuel service be recommended for this car? 72 280SE? Thanks

mamali · #12 08-30-2006, 09:57 AM

Took her for a nice 30-40 Mile Trip and she runs great. Interesting how a little dirt in the fuel system destroys these cars. Still looking for the seats and other interior parts. Any one know of any catalogue houses that you can order body parts from? I knew a guy that was restoring a Poton 220 and he ordered all of his parts from a catalogue!!! Thanks

meltedpanda · #13 08-31-2006, 10:11 AM

I have nearly a complete interior from the 280 W114, will that help?

JMURiz · #14 08-31-2006, 01:21 PM

Glad to hear it's running, not sure about BG44k on this car, I've run it or Techron through my 914 though, seemed to help a little. I typically do it on the tank before doing an oil change though, just to be safe.

mamali · #15 08-31-2006, 02:08 PM

Thanks Melted Panda mine is a 108 will it work? Also what color? Thanks