I recently purchased a 1986 190e (5-speed) and have been enjoying the vehicle much. However, I decided to do some routine maintenance to the car and replaced all the brake rotors and pads, along with the serpentine belt and spark plugs. All of this went extremely well and I was surprised at how easy and simple it is to work on this car. Unfortunately, I decided yesterday to repace the distributor cap and rotor as well as the fuel filter (all as preventative maintenance). The car was running fine until I unhooked the battery and replaced these items. When I started the car, it hardly turned over at all, and I could hear a pumping sound near the fuel filter... Today I tried it all again- and the car would not even crank at all (yesterday, a bit of smoke pooped out of the air filter). I thought I put the spark plug wires on wrong- but they look fine... I took off the rotor and noticed that the inside of the distributor looked like it had been scraped by the rotor's movement (BtW- when I tried to jump start the car- the distributor cap popped off its setting). I compared the new rotor and the old one- and the numbers are identical (excpet it one small spot where the old one says 1.8 and the new one says 1.7. Does that make a difference? In case, I put the old rotor and distributor cap on but it still wouldn't start. Also, I took a look at the fuel filter, and it has a slow drip. I know I should have replaced the two washers now (where the bolt goes in)... but it also leaks from the other side of the filter (both sides are leaking- ugh!)... What can be done about that leak and what do you suggest the problem in general to be with the car not starting? Thanks for any help which can be given! (I am also about to buy a new battery as the old one looks tiny and half the size of the battery tray.
Sincerely,
Tim