1988 300E:
After removing and cleaning (eraser) the airflow sensor, car would run without hunting and increase in idle. However I then adjusted the idle mixture to try and smooth out the idle- but the adjuster seems to be sticking and made the engine run very erratic.

Engine shaking then stalls.
Engine wont start again.

Owner tired goes to bed..
any thoughts are welcome.

Phil
1988 300E300 E Will Not Start

my guess is you've leaned the mixture too much. try adjusting 1/4 turn clockwise and try again. you don't need to turn much to adjust the idle mixture.

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1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)

I turned the mixture (clockwise/rich) and the engine started to run but the stalled- so I think it is the mixture.

How can I index or find the sweet spot on this adjustment to begin with.
I have no idea if the mixture is cranked one way or the other..

Now batt is getting low...

Running a Bit...

it will run with the flap cracked open 1/4" only. Any variation it will stall...
Will not start with flap closed...

Still not sure where the mixture is set at...

Opening the air meter flap 'tells' the fuel distriibutor there is a higher fuel demand, so it flows more fuel to the injectors. I.e., mixture is too lean to start with the flap in idle position. There is an offset adjustment for the flap, so check and make sure that is correct.

Could be your cold-start or rotary idle valve are not functioning, or you have ruptured a hose somewher in the idle air circuit.

Steve

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'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7

Can you tell me where the offset adjustment for the flap would be found?

If I work the throttle linkage and the flap togeather in unison I can get the engine to rev beyond 2k. But not interested in idling...

I will check the other areas you mentioned...

Thanks for the help

I tried to adjust idle mixture to compensate for a slightly off idle. Now 300e won't start and I was very frustrated until I ran into your thread.

Will try your solutions and thanks a bunch for the crack up. Great thread!!!