In no particular order,

1. Check the idle solenoids. Look like AA batteries stuck in the lower part of the carb. Should click when you turn the ignition on and off.

2. Check for vacuum leaks, the AC, door locks, seatback locks, trunk lock and gas cap are all vacuum operated. As is the brake booster, which can leak.

3. Check the quality of your spark. Should be blue and may have a snapping sound.

4. If you still have a condenser on the distributor, disconnect it. You have a transistorized igniton mounted under the battery tray and don't need the condenser as you would with true point ignition.

5. For grins, try reversing the polarity of the ignition coil, especially if some one has changed it. Put it back if it doesn't help as your mileage and power will suffer if it is backwards.

6. Rotate every fuse in every fuse holder you can find.

7. I don't remember if the solex has a filter in the casting, check for it.

8. If you are drawing throught he old pump and it has a bolt in the center of a cover, pull the cover and clean the filter you just uncovered.

9. If the air cleaner cover bolt is over tightened, it can warp the carb base plate.

10. Check the valve clearance (sp?). Also check the timing chain for strech.

11. Malign Mercedes for building such a hard car to work on?

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120