Carburetor Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hippie_elmo · #1 09-01-2001, 02:59 AM

My carburetor needs to be replaced. It is a Pierburg 4 barrel. I was told that it will be very hard to find a new one. Is this true? What would be the price for one, if the shop could find one.

Thanks for your help,

cth350 · #2 09-01-2001, 08:26 AM

What year and model is your car? Is the carb original? Rebuilding it is not an option?

-CTH

hippie_elmo · #3 09-01-2001, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cth350
What year and model is your car? Is the carb original? Rebuilding it is not an option?

-CTH

1974 280. The carb was replaced once before by the owner in 1989. I was told that he couldn't be rebuilt.

ctaylor738 · #4 09-01-2001, 01:00 PM

A Pierburg carb on a 280 is news to me. The CD only shows the Solex A4. Is this a grey-market model?

You might check with JAM Engineering about a Weber replacement.

hippie_elmo · #5 09-01-2001, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctaylor738
A Pierburg carb on a 280 is news to me. The CD only shows the Solex A4. Is this a grey-market model?

You might check with JAM Engineering about a Weber replacement.

I checked the invoice for when they bought it. It says it came from MB. Back then it cost $1,500.00! Does JAM Enginerring have a website? How much would one cost?

Thanks

stevebfl · #6 09-01-2001, 05:27 PM

As the previous price indicated, a new one will cost more than the car is worth.

If it was new a while ago, why can't it be repaired. They never worked when they were new anyway. Someone will have make it work again no matter what course you take.

BTW, Pierburg makes fuel pumps not carbs, at least for MB that is. The only carb used by MB on the M110 engine was the Solex 4A1 carb.

hippie_elmo · #7 09-01-2001, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stevebfl
As the previous price indicated, a new one will cost more than the car is worth.

If it was new a while ago, why can't it be repaired. They never worked when they were new anyway. Someone will have make it work again no matter what course you take.

BTW, Pierburg makes fuel pumps not carbs, at least for MB that is. The only carb used by MB on the M110 engine was the Solex 4A1 carb.

I was looking into just buying a rebuilt one. I was told by my shop that one of flaps on the carb is bent and is sticking. I saw on the internet that Pierburg still makes carbs. They make about 15,000 a year.

stevebfl · #8 09-01-2001, 05:51 PM

They don't do it for MB. If you have something other than a Solex 4A1 the car has been modified.

The shaft that is binding is the one that supports the two secondary air valves. It can be dealt with by someone who knows that carb. I bet there is at least one person with such knowledge within at least 500 miles of any location in the US.

As to the Pierburg thing.... I wouldn't be too surprised to find out that Pierburg is Solex, but I worked for MB from 73-76 and spent more than my share of time finessing those POSs during warrantee and they weer all Solex.

hippie_elmo · #9 09-02-2001, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stevebfl
They don't do it for MB. If you have something other than a Solex 4A1 the car has been modified.

The shaft that is binding is the one that supports the two secondary air valves. It can be dealt with by someone who knows that carb. I bet there is at least one person with such knowledge within at least 500 miles of any location in the US.

As to the Pierburg thing.... I wouldn't be too surprised to find out that Pierburg is Solex, but I worked for MB from 73-76 and spent more than my share of time finessing those POSs during warrantee and they weer all Solex.

Thanks for the information. I found a local carb. only repiar shop. On Tuesday I will call them to see if they can fix the problem. I think the repair shop that want's to put in a new one, just doesn't know how to fix carbs.

DANTRCAV · #10 09-04-2001, 09:03 AM

I have seen both Webber and Holly conversions on the m110 (280) series. Jam Engineering has a Holly conversion (or used to) - don't know about the Webber. I haven't looked at their website in a while but the web address is: www.jameng.com.

The 280 (m110) owners I have known in the past seemed to go for the conversion route once the Solex started to give a lot of problems.

Good Luck.

Dan

hippie_elmo · #11 09-05-2001, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DANTRCAV
I have seen both Webber and Holly conversions on the m110 (280) series. Jam Engineering has a Holly conversion (or used to) - don't know about the Webber. I haven't looked at their website in a while but the web address is: www.jameng.com.

The 280 (m110) owners I have known in the past seemed to go for the conversion route once the Solex started to give a lot of problems.

Good Luck.

Dan

Thanks for the information. I called the local carb repair shop. They said that a rebuild on the carb. in the car would cost about $400.00-$420.00. Will this fix the problem? Or should I buy a rebuilt one?

ctaylor738 · #12 09-05-2001, 08:30 PM

I think $400 is a rip-off. With my 280C came a receipt from Victory Carburetor in Burbank for $165 for the rebuild and $85 R/R.

Their number is 818 842 0609. Maybe you can send them the carb.

hippie_elmo · #13 09-05-2001, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctaylor738
I think $400 is a rip-off. With my 280C came a receipt from Victory Carburetor in Burbank for $165 for the rebuild and $85 R/R.

Their number is 818 842 0609. Maybe you can send them the carb.

Well, The repair shop is near me and they have a year warranty on the work. And I want to make sure it is done right. When they do the rebuild will they fix the problem with the shaft?

Thanks for you help...

stevebfl · #14 09-06-2001, 08:18 AM

I think it is very hard to place a price on a carburetor repair without seeing it.

I'm 90% sure I could fix the carb in about an hour without removing it, maybe two. I wouldn't even start on one without agreeing to a lot more. Within that time I would determine whther the warped top could be modified or would need to be replaced. Well I just looked and thats out, I replaced a number at around $400 but it must have been a while ago as they are over $1400 now.

So you got to fix the warped top, and I've done it many times. The problem is the shaft for the secondary air valve is in a bind passing through three supporting holes in the casting that don't define a straight line. A combination of honing the end holes and precisely (slightly) bending the shaft, hand fitting can make the shaft run free again. It is imperative that the plastic cam for lifting of secondary metering rods be in good condition as it has never been available without getting the top.

Got to go.

hippie_elmo · #15 10-19-2001, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hippie_elmo

Thanks for the information. I called the local carb repair shop. They said that a rebuild on the carb. in the car would cost about $400.00-$420.00. Will this fix the problem? Or should I buy a rebuilt one?

Well, I found out that I need a new one. I was looking at the Jam website it said for $985.00 I could get the conversion kit. Has anyone bought from them before? I also checked a website out http://www.webercarburetors.com They have a kit that includes a 2bbl Weber carb. that comes with the kit. Is there a big diffence from the 2bbl and 4bbl? Is Weber better then Holley? The price is allot cheaper $633.60. And could anyone tell me some other places to call or websites to go to. I live in Walnut Creek,CA
Second question. I have a 4bbl Pierburg carb. on my car. Has it been already converted? Or how can I tell?
Thanks for all your help