1972 230 merc misfiring - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

henk2heads · #1 07-29-2008, 07:06 AM

Hi guys, new here.

I have a 1972 mercedes 230 automatic. It's been fine till a few days ago when, all of a sudden, it started running very choppy at idle. So much so that it dies at every single traffic light or the moment i put it in drive. If i pull out the choke about halfway, it smoothes out a bit. Could it be the case that it takes in a bit too much air from somewhere? If so, where? I had a look at the way the filter fits on the carbs and it seems fine. Or could it be something else entirely?

Please help. I'm a young financially challenged guy working in a very posh suburb and all the huge shiny four wheel drives are getting pretty pissed at me

Cheers H.

ThomP · #2 07-31-2008, 09:20 PM

Hi- I've been having the same problem in a 73 220 w/gas engine and a single Stromberg carb. It stalls as soon as put in gear and was told to look for a vacuum leak somewhere- plus to check the power brake unit for the same. Haven't gotten around to check my car, but you may want to look for same and hopefully you'll get some repsonses to help you out further. Good luck- these are great cars...when they run properly.

carnut · #3 07-31-2008, 09:36 PM

Pulling out the choke restricts air thru the carb, so it in theory it should run worse. But if its getting air somewhere else it would run better. look for rotten vacuum hoses by the carb or intake manifold. get a can of carb cleaner spray and spray every vacuum hose where it attaches on either end. If it changes the idle quality, then thats a vacuum leak. Also spray where the carb bolts down to the intake. That base gasket could be faulty as well.

henk2heads · #4 08-01-2008, 04:54 AM

Thanks for the advice so far, guys. I love my car. I live in South Africa and I've been all over this country and neighbouring ones with it. In SA we have these looong ininterrupted streches of tarmac through the most beautiful and desolate countryside you can emagine. From the arid Karoo to the green wet southern cape. It has taken me through the sandtraps of tropical mosamique and botswana. In Northern mosambique I actually helped a guy with a nissan hardbody 4x4 get unstuck from beach sand.
My car has been all over, through every emaginable type of environment and it just keeps on going in it unique laid back and comfortable way! In my opinion, 70's mercs are the best drive you'll ever get. Especially for these long hot country roads

pj67coll · #5 08-01-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henk2heads

If i pull out the choke about halfway, it smoothes out a bit.

A 72 230 has a manual choke?

- Peter.

henk2heads · #6 08-03-2008, 08:32 AM

I think the choke could be some custom job done somewhere in the past, I'm not sure

todds · #7 08-04-2008, 09:59 AM

Most likely. This is a 4-cyl 230 right?

Don't forget the ignition system too! Look there first.

As far as the fuel, if your car has been driven regularly for years I'd wager towards the vacuum leaks. If it's been sitting for a long time, then I would worry more about rusty gas clogging up the inside of the carbs or gunk/corrosion on the outside.

henk2heads · #8 08-05-2008, 10:16 AM

No, it's a 6syl 230. Weird combination. But they were very popular in south africa. I'm currently checking up on the vacuum leak thing. What i have noticed is that the thread inside the holes in the carbs where the screws go in that keep the air filter pulled tight, is almost completely stripped in the one hole and more than halfway in the other. I suppose it's the years of engine vibration that rattled them loose. How do you guys propose you fix that. I've actually thought of just putting match sticks in the holes and then tightening the screws, but that's obviously only temporary. Is there a permenant solution short of replacing the carbs?
Remember, no bucks!