'70 W114 won't idle

[mercifiknow]

Hey Everyone,

Interesting thing about Mercedes' that are, uh..older: They are relentless in the department of constant maintenance!

Anyway, now for my issue. We recently moved and I had my car in storage for about 7-8 months. I would swing by and start it a couple of times as I don't like the Bavarian Beauty to be idle. This was from May to last week as the time period she was outside under a car cover. I put Sta-bil in her gas tank (which was 1/3 tank full), through some Sea-Foam in her, and then waited until our house was finished. Unfortunately, I didn't start her after september. I went to go start her last month and she wouldn't start. This was after spending 3-4 hrs in 20 degree weather and wind blowing trying get to catch. I also noticed that she developed a fuel leak in the Weber's around what appeared to be accelerator diaphragm.

So I had her towed home and started working on her Saturday with a new battery and carb/choke cleaner. I got her to at least try an start, but wouldn't idle. In other words, if I didn't mash the gas pedal it would die. The exhaust sounded sputtery, but didn't smell different than any other time. I did put a couple of gallons in too see if that might be the problem.

Today I went out and she cranked over but no catch (i called that progress!). tomorrow i'm going to get a new fuel filter to see if that's the problem. Fuel pump is running (didn't check to see if it's putting out any volume). As an aside, MB dealership wanted $97 for a fuel filter.

Thoughts?


Thanks!

[Tomas7]

Originally Posted by mercifiknow

Hey Everyone,

Interesting thing about Mercedes' that are, uh..older: They are relentless in the department of constant maintenance!

Anyway, now for my issue. We recently moved and I had my car in storage for about 7-8 months. I would swing by and start it a couple of times as I don't like the Bavarian Beauty to be idle. This was from May to last week as the time period she was outside under a car cover. I put Sta-bil in her gas tank (which was 1/3 tank full), through some Sea-Foam in her, and then waited until our house was finished. Unfortunately, I didn't start her after september. I went to go start her last month and she wouldn't start. This was after spending 3-4 hrs in 20 degree weather and wind blowing trying get to catch. I also noticed that she developed a fuel leak in the Weber's around what appeared to be accelerator diaphragm.

So I had her towed home and started working on her Saturday with a new battery and carb/choke cleaner. I got her to at least try an start, but wouldn't idle. In other words, if I didn't mash the gas pedal it would die. The exhaust sounded sputtery, but didn't smell different than any other time. I did put a couple of gallons in too see if that might be the problem.

Today I went out and she cranked over but no catch (i called that progress!). tomorrow i'm going to get a new fuel filter to see if that's the problem. Fuel pump is running (didn't check to see if it's putting out any volume). As an aside, MB dealership wanted $97 for a fuel filter.

Thoughts?


Thanks!

My story is similar, 76 280C was put away and would not stay lit. My carburetor is a Holley four barrel which is totally different than yours however I ended up rebuilding it. I tore it part and cleaned and replaced everything that came with the kit. After that it ran but still needed adjustment but it ran.
Only after the rebuild would it stay runnng

[mercifiknow]

Tomas7,

i think i'll eventually have to do this because of the small fuel drip (not constant), but my goal is to check the other stuff first as i've never done a carb rebuild. I'm new to wrenching so i almost feel like that's an advanced course and i'm still playing with tinker toys!

Where did you get your kit? I noticed a lot of websites out there but appear to be chinese knockoffs. Thanks for the help!

[Tomas7]

Originally Posted by mercifiknow

Tomas7,

i think i'll eventually have to do this because of the small fuel drip (not constant), but my goal is to check the other stuff first as i've never done a carb rebuild. I'm new to wrenching so i almost feel like that's an advanced course and i'm still playing with tinker toys!

Where did you get your kit? I noticed a lot of websites out there but appear to be chinese knockoffs. Thanks for the help!

I found it on ebay.
You're welcome