Any alititude adjustments for 1985 380SL?

[chad500sl]

My father just called me from Denver. He's having trouble with his 1985 380SL running poorly and belching smoke. He's on a ski trip from Florida and needs some tech help.

Is there some adjustment, or part replacement, he can perform to help the car? I know there is suppose to be an altitude auto adjustment, but it doesn't seem to be working. A quick hack would be fine, I hate for him to waste too much vacation time :-).

I'm normally only looking for R129 info here, so I've probably missed earlier discussions. Quick searches didn't find anything. Sorry if I've missed an easy search.

Thanks for any info,
Chad

[ctaylor738]

He could go CCW on the mixture adjustment a half-turn at a time and see if that helped, then he could return it to the original position when he gets back to sea level.

As far as tools go, 3mm long-arm hex wrench would do it, if the housing top has been cut off.

[Ultraformat]

I have the same model/year and live in Boulder. Haven't had any trouble since bringing it here last year, even driving over 10,000 feet. Make sure he's buying mid-price gas, the cheap stuff is too low in octane.

[chad500sl]

Thanks for the info. Searching taking your replies into acount, I was able to find a picture in the following thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=73532

Is the adjustment screw you're talking about the one pictured in the right side of the image?

As always, thanks for the great replys from the group.

[ctaylor738]

Sort of. It is actually the piece that you have to saw off to make the adjustment. You make the adjustment through a hole in the air cleaner housing with the 3 mm hex key. CCW for leaner, CW to richen.

If the cover is still in place, it is probably not worth doing.