380 SEL shaking and choking - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BenzOnline · #1 05-31-2002, 08:15 AM

380 SEL shaking and choking
Today I had a problem with my 380. I went to pick up someone and was running the air conditioning because of the hot weather. I stopped and shut the engine for about 5 mins when I got there and when I started it again the engine was shaking and choking when I gave it gas and black smoke was coming out of the tailpipe. Then when it would stop all of a sudden and it would be all smooth and then start again?

Is it the humid weather? What kind of weather affects these engines?

* I put this post here because I had it in Tech Help and nobody responded.

#2 05-31-2002, 11:05 AM

My BMW does this to. (yes 650 and the a/c works) I beilve it is because of the a/c raising the idle and giving the car more gas (black smoke rich) You may have shut the car of before the gas burned of and just had to much gas. IMO I have no clue why it would keep going. (BMW uses a idle control valve that ofeten will cause this problem)
Sorry I am not sure on these engines

Snibble · #3 05-31-2002, 12:27 PM

The weather got hot today and when i drove.. my car stalled on right turns. it would restart after I park and turn the engine off... but still, only on right turns. This didn't happen in a while prior to today,but the weather before were in the 70's and not ashot or humid as today.

#4 05-31-2002, 12:29 PM

How much gas do you have?

#5 05-31-2002, 12:41 PM

Could this possibly be attributed to some kind of vapor lock in the fuel system?

Also, check your fuel filter too, it may be hella clogged.

My car never stalls due to fuel starvation, even going up- or downhill (steep hills) with the reserve light on.

-Sam

#6 05-31-2002, 12:53 PM

Snibble,
If you try to start it right away will it start?
and If you do wait how long do you wait?

Snibble · #7 05-31-2002, 01:54 PM

benzman.. I had about half the capacity of fuel. Meaning, the indicator was pointing at the halfway mark. When it stals, the steering becomes hard and sort of stuck.. then the car slows down even when I am trying to floor it. So I park the car, turn it off, then turn the car on about 5 secs later and drive.

Either way.. the car is going to be checked up by my tech. My dad did a favor for him, and owes us a favor back in maintance and repair, so it will be OK.

BenzOnline · #8 05-31-2002, 02:42 PM

Benzman500.......I think that was the problem. The AC was putting alot of gas or whatever and it clogged it. There was lots of smoke coming out too!! Black! It stopped shortly after though and my tank had 3 1/4 of gas in it.

#9 05-31-2002, 10:14 PM

Snibble
I was wondering because if you don't have much gas it may just swoosh around away from the pump. the steering become hard because the power steering is no longer going. It does kinda sound like vapor lock tough.
hey it's amazing what you can learn trying to brong back a beater.