I have a 79 450 sl that suddenly went into a fuel starved mode after slowing and turning a corner. I could only get about 1000 RPMs and managed to get it home. It was heating up but never boiled on the drive (3 miles) home. When the throttle was depressed it gives off the sound of lots of air but no fuel. I did the test for 1 liter in 30 seconds and it was OK. Then I removed the fuel distributor and dissasembled and inspected it, cleaning the plunger and pivoting air sensor assembly, which freed it up from a sticky action. I still have the same results as before. There is plenty of fuel to the injectors too. Could this be a timing chain problem? An ignition problem?
If any one has had this problem and knows the cure, please let me know.
Thanks, Gordon

Sounds like ignition problem. Check whether your distributor came loose. Not sure whether that is possible with 450 SL, but I have had it in other cars and a loose distributor can move your timing off (usually retarding it) that you feel like running on a very low power engine. Engine also can heat up more than normal due to bad ignition timing. Did you get any backfiring?

There was no backfiring but slight heating. I check the timing first.
Thanks for the idea, I'll keep you informed as to the progress.

Did you check the plugs?

__________________
81' 300d
73' 280c

I didn't think of plugs because the problem was so sudden. I went from 50+ to 15 to turn a corner and whenI tried to accelerate there was little or nothing. I will check the timing and plugs Saturday. I took the distributer cap off and looked for mosture or crack but found nothing. Last night I tried to turn the distributor by hand with outloosening any thing and it was solid. My manual says that the #1 plug is on the passenger side but that seems wrong. the drivers side sits further forward!

...thought -

The throttle linkage?

Had it happen on the 560.

Happy Benzing,
Kevin

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"Dangerous with a wrench...and not smart enough to know it"

Stable (in order of acqusition):
'84 500SL, 280SEL (Euros)
'77 280SE. '90 560SEL
'79 450SEL 6.9,
'95 C280 (totalled by daughter 8/07)
'81 280SL (rescued) '88 300CE
'86 560SEC '95 C36
'01 CL55

DD's: '04 S500 4Matic (SWMBO)
'04 F150 Crew

Throttle linkage is what i was thinking too.... rubber silent block that breaks free from its attachment? Seen this happen to me with 280/8 sedan.

I think I may have found the problem! I have only 4.4 volts at the + side coil with the wires connected and .9 volts on the - side connected. Disconnected the + side has 12 volts. Also there is continunity between the primary and secondary windings in the coil. I get a new one today and try it.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Gordon