Hey Merc man:

I have a euro version 1983 190e, and my cold start valve is installed pretty close to the valve cover about 1/2 way down. It is installed with two 5mm hex bolts, and looks like a cylinder with a fuel line hookup at the top, and a wire connector coming out of it.

The idle speed in my Mercedes is set by a large flathead screw that can be seen looking front the right side of the car just over the valve cover and just under the air cleaner. Turning this screw speeds up or slows down the idle.

Sbourg:

I have adjusted my idle speed with this screw, took the cold start valve out, reconnected it to the fuel line and electrical motor. Tried to start the engine cold and it starts and quits (due to the air leak where the valve sits) but I see no fuel coming out of the cold start valve. I'm thinking mine is not working and it may be it or my temp sensor that makes it operate. I'm going to pick up a couple of parts from the junk yard this weekend to see if it is any better. My symptom is that my car is hard to start when hot and sitting for a while, and that my idle speed is the same regardless hot or cold.

Maybe I have an airleak like you say. How do I find an airleak easily? Is there some trick like hold an incense stick near the lines and see if any smoke gets sucked in somewhere?

-=>Raja.

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1983 MB 190E, bought from Germany and shipped to the US in 1986.