w124 230E newbie ignition distributor queries - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DeanoW · #1 07-17-2013, 07:14 AM

Hello
I have a Merc 230E w124 1988. It has been suffering from some of the cold/low throttle misfiring that many other owners have apparently shared. I have decided to make a start on remedying the problem as a very novice mechanic. My first step was new plugs and air filter which didn’t work, and I have moved onto replacing distributor cap, rotor arm and leads – all of which are original and fairly worn.
My first hiccup came when I ordered a replacement set of leads and found that the ignition coil lead had a female connection to the coil instead of the male on my original. I think I have found the correct lead through a local dealer and as I destroyed the original on removal I will just have to keep trying until I can get a correct replacement somewhere.
On removing the rotor arm I dislodged a plastic cover/seal leading to the distributor base. Under this seal seemed to be a very badly worn o-ring that fell apart in my hand. I also noticed that there was a small quantity of reddish oil in a recess at the base of the distributor. As the recess seemed to be part of the design I wonder whether the oil is meant to be there or is it a symptom of some other problem.
So these are my two main questions – i. What exactly was that steel o-ring that had decayed? and ii. What exactly was that oil?
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Russ

Pooka · #2 07-17-2013, 05:30 PM

Hopefully someone will be able to come up with an answer, but the majority of the folks on this board are Americans and the 230E was not imported into this country.

Is this a six or a four? We did get the 260E.

DeanoW · #3 07-17-2013, 09:32 PM

Hi Pooka Thanks for the reply. It is a 4 cylinder.

meltedpanda · #4 07-18-2013, 10:34 AM

any chance you can post a pic of the distributor. the O ring you mention probably a seal , oil in a distributor is usually a sign of either a bad worn shaft ( wobble) or loss of the seal . You did not mention points, did you change them as well?

WANT '71 280SEL · #5 07-18-2013, 05:15 PM

You'll get much better answers posting in the Tech Help area as this room is intended for 1979 and older Mercedes'. Although, Meltedpanda is a valuable resource in any room ;-)

Thanks,

David

meltedpanda · #6 07-18-2013, 06:24 PM

Well now that made my day. So kind.

WANT '71 280SEL · #7 07-18-2013, 06:36 PM

Well you are one of the good D-Jet guys... And my last Mercedes is D-Jet... :-)

meltedpanda · #8 07-18-2013, 07:33 PM

Ain't many of us left. Lol