Starting problems on a 75' 450 SL

[kaiser75450]

Hi there!

I'm having a problem getting the car to start.
First off, it spins fine with a new starter I just added but it won't spin over. At times, it tries to start but just seems like it doesn't have the "power" to do so. The car has great fuel pressure from pump to injectors; the pump hums as soon as you turn the key like it should. I figured it was the spark that was the flaw, so I removed all the spark plugs to find that they all needed to be cleaned because of oil on them. After all plugs were clean, it still wouldn't start. Fuel filter is good, tank is free of debris, and pump seems to be working fine. The spark plug wires look a little beat up and need to be replaced, but it shouldn't completely stop the car from starting...

After I cleaned and reinserted the spark plugs, I tried to start it and it had smoke coming from the throttle body where the air cleaner sits..idk

Im going crazy! Any help would be greatly appreciated =)

T.J.

[nckmsn]

you need to check for spark. Using a screwdriver, touch it to a grounded surface on the motor. Now hold the wire and spark plug up to the grounded screwdriver. Hold it about 1 cm or closer to the screwdriver and see if the plug arcs to the screwdriver.

[carnut]

Did this car run yesterday? or not ran in years? 75 should have trigger points in the shaft of the distributor. Have they been cleaned/ checked??

[kaiser75450]

Thanks for the tips.

I will try all the plugs for spark and check the distributor componets.

The car ran about a week ago when I moved it. Hard idling of course and trying its best to cut off but I managed to move it. I had to instal a new starter because the solenoid of the old one just fell apart..seriously! After that episode the car just won't start. We had a new ignition module installed on it and battery along with the starter. The car just needs a little tlc, in which I intend on giving it.

After I try what you guys think it could be I will post with the updates..

Thanks,

Dr. J

[pboboige]

You might try replacing the condenser (by the points under the distributor cap. It gets burnt out if you leave the ignition on without the vehicle running and the car won't start.

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by pboboige

You might try replacing the condenser (by the points under the distributor cap. It gets burnt out if you leave the ignition on without the vehicle running and the car won't start.

1) Incorrect; there is no current through a good capacitor.

2) Did you notice: this thread is seven years old.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Frank Reiner

1) Incorrect; there is no current through a good capacitor.

2) Did you notice: this thread is seven years old.

No condensers on these cars. The early cars did have them, but they were removed by dealers during service. Just not needed for the low voltage points, I guess.