submitted for jude//car won't stay 'broke'

[janko]

the car in question is an 89 e300 with approximately 100k miles. recently
replaced the fuel pump relay. and this solved the then no start condition.
this saturday started the car and drove approximately 3 miles. suddenly it
stalled and would not start. battery spun the thing over nicely. just would
not start. towed the thing home. on monday went to put a trickle charge on
the battery to charge it up to max. before connecting the battery charger,
tried once more to start the thing. it started instantly and idled
beautifully. only thing done was addition of can of 'dry gas'. tank was
about 1/4 full. any idea as to what to do? friend who works on my car hates
it when things don't stay 'broke'. thank you. jude.