Last week I purchased a second 1990 190E-2.3 Sportline. This one is an automatic (my other one is a 5-speed manual) in signal red (my other is arctic white). I also paid a fraction of the price for this one as it was being auctioned as a "repairable write-off" at a damaged car auction. The damage is to the front of the car and appears to have been caused by an impact with a large tree. Whilst there is no mechanical damage apart from radiator, condenser, engine fan and auxiliary fan, other damage includes both front fenders/wings/mudguards (outer and inner), bonnet, grille, bumper, all front lights, upper and lower radiator supports and, most importantly, the front frame rails have both been bent towards the right hand side of the car. As tempting as it is to consider a repair, the cost would exceed the value of the car, even considering the rarity of a 190E in Australia with either the Sportline options or 2.3 litre engine, a pity as the rest of the car is in reasonably good condition and it has travelled just 144,000km (90,000 miles). I am told that just fifteen 190E Sportlines were delivered here. My manual Sportline (believed to be the only 2.3 manual here) has covered almost 240,000km.

My real reason for purchase was having a supply of low mileage spares for my car, especially the expensive and rare Sportline items (eg. springs, shocks, sway bars, steering box, steering wheel, badges and rear spoiler). Those parts which are not suited to my car such as the auto transmission and black checkered fabric Sportline interior (mine is blue leather) should be easy to sell. It also has a near new set of 205/55R15 tyres fitted to the original 7 inch Sportline wheels which I will fit to my manual car (in need of new tyres). Cruise control is an option which my manual car lacks so that can be transferred from the damaged car.

Today I removed the damaged items from the front of the car and temporarily fitted an old radiator. The engine started easily and ran well and driving it up and down my driveway indicates that the auto transmission appears to be functioning correctly. A drive out on the road would be needed to really confirm this and would also confirm that the cruise control functions before transferring it to my other car.

The question on my mind now is how best to store the engine. Since the 2.3 is rare here I am tempted to keep it rather than sell it. Since it will need to be stored possibly for a long period I am wondering how best to do this. Obviously I will give it an oil and filter change (after letting it run for a while to reach full operating temperature). I also believe I would be wise to add a small amount of oil to each cylinder and crank it over before storing. Would I also be wise to remove the inlet and exhaust manifolds and add a small amount of oil to each port to prevent corrosion of the valves and seats before replacing the manifolds?

My greatest concern is with the fuel distributor. If fuel remains in it will it "go off" and cause damage to it and the injectors? Alternatively, will the fuel distributor left dry (not sure how to achieve this) suffer corrosion or other problems from being left dry. Is there another liquid which can be added to the fuel distributor to preserve it during long term storage? Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.