Ok, my friend had a 1986 Mercedes 190E 16-valve and some tool plowed into it by our work and destroyed his frame. The engine was sitting outside non-running for about half a year now, but it ran fine after the guy destroyed the frame.

He recently bought a 1987 190E 16-valve and the engine threw a rod out the side of the block within 10 miles of him owning the car. So.. we decided to swap the manual transmission and engine from the 86' 190 with the 87's automatic transmission and engine. After getting everything in and jumping the neutral safety swith, the engine will crank but not start. We checked for spark at the coil to distributer, there was spark, then we checked spark at wires to the spark plugs and there was spark. We pulled the spark plugs, they were black so we replaced them and tried again. Still won't start but everytime we tried starting the car, there is a popping in the exhaust, a sign of the car running way too rich? I wish I had a scanner so I can check the fuel trims. Anyway, I pull the plugs again and find them soaked in gas to confirm my theory. Any ideas on what could be the cause and solution to this problem?


Thanks,
Kent

the popping in the exhaust is a clue that your iginition timing is way off. it is in fact too retarded or it wouldnt be popping in the exhaust.

you may have your plug wires on the distributor cap wrong. does this model have a distributor like the older ones? if so you may be able to just move them all one hole over.

good luck

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yep, I found the timing to be off by 180 degreez. It's now set to specifications. Now, it puffs every now and then out the intake while cranking, still cranks but doesn't start. I tried turning the distributer, but it doesn't seem to be changing the timing according to the timing light. Any ideas on what to do next?

Any important vaccume lines, important electrical connections for the fuel system or ignition system I should be aware of about this car? My friend reconnected all the electrical connections himself so he may have missed one or two.
The fuel pressure regulator vaccume hose is connected.

How did you check for spark? You may have fried the EZL...

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280