1988 300SE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Just Jenny · #1 05-02-2009, 06:00 PM

Hi, I was just given a 1988 300SE the only catch is that I can never sell it. There's a couple of major issues that I need to address before I can even tell if I'll be able to keep it. The car won't start if its in park. Also, when its in park on a flat surface it rolls if the parking brake isn't engaged. I think it may be the linkage. The other issue is that if accelerates REALLY slow. If you give it too much gas it bogs down and sputters. If you don't give it any gas it dies. I don't know what to do. I really like the car. If these are goin to be expensive fixes I can't keep it. Can anyone give me any ideas on what could be going on?

86560SEL · #2 05-02-2009, 08:04 PM

Hi. Well, thats a nice gift. I have a '88 300SEL (same as the 300SE, only longer) and rarely I have to put the car in neutral to start it and sometimes it takes about rolling the car about 5 inches before it engages in park, but this is not an everytime occurance. Sounds to me as welll like a linkage issue.

The bogging down you mentioned could be as simple as a clogged fuel filter, weak fuel pump, or even out of gas. If a MB fuel gauge is on the fritz, it may show it has gas, when it actually has none. Could be something even more serious, but dont really sound to bad.

Keep us posted.

ps2cho · #3 05-03-2009, 11:56 AM

As 86560 said start with the fuel filter.

Any history of maintenance?

Just Jenny · #4 05-03-2009, 12:21 PM

I got the car from the original owner. It's been taken good care of, not great, but good. They mentioned that the engine had been replaced. That doesn't sound good to me. I don't know how many miles are on it because the odometer is broken. Anyone know how to fix that?

ps2cho · #5 05-03-2009, 03:14 PM

I grabbed an entire cluster from the junkyard and threw it in for my 260E for ease. At some point I will roll it back to the 84k that it should be. Right now it says 260k lol.

I understand the cogs slip out of place and that is why it stops. Some people have managed to fix it, but only to last a few thousand miles before it did it again. Best option as I understand is having it professionally done.

pawoSD · #6 05-03-2009, 05:05 PM

The fuel bogging issue is probably a clogged filter, or it could be an issue with the CIS injection adjustments. A good MB/German auto shop could probably figure it out.

The shifter/park issue is likely a sloppy shifter due to worn bushings. Cheap parts, but annoying to replace. They are under the car by the transmission.

A 300SE is a great/reliable car. I have the smaller chassis version with the same engine. (300E).....I've been enjoying it thoroughly. One thing you might want to check is the condition of the spark plugs/spark plug wires. When I replaced both on mine I was rewarded with quicker starts, and more power/better running and acceleration. At this age the car probably just needs some wear items like that replaced.

Larry Delor · #7 05-03-2009, 06:57 PM

If the shift linkage is that far out of place, isn't it possible that the car might be trying to go from 2nd gear? Or..maybe even between gears somehow?

I would get the linkage lined up first - then see what troubles remain.

Your odometer is by far, not the first one to break a little plastic gear. A search in the archives ought to reveal places that can rebuild the whole thing, and I think there might be a thread where somebody just recently posted a link to a place that sells just the little gear.

86560SEL · #8 05-03-2009, 09:00 PM

Do you mean 3rd gear? I think these start out in 2nd anyway... at least mine does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

If the shift linkage is that far out of place, isn't it possible that the car might be trying to go from 2nd gear? Or..maybe even between gears somehow?

I would get the linkage lined up first - then see what troubles remain.

Your odometer is by far, not the first one to break a little plastic gear. A search in the archives ought to reveal places that can rebuild the whole thing, and I think there might be a thread where somebody just recently posted a link to a place that sells just the little gear.

pawoSD · #9 05-03-2009, 09:44 PM

Its not possible for it to start in third, no matter what the linkage was adjusted to. 2nd start is normal. Its probably not the zippiest car off the line with 2nd gear start. Thats a lot of car for the M103 to push around.

Larry Delor · #10 05-03-2009, 10:25 PM

hehehe...I wasn't trying to say it was starting out in third. I was trying to say, that who knows what that linkage is telling the transmission to do.

pawoSD · #11 05-03-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

hehehe...I wasn't trying to say it was starting out in third. I was trying to say, that who knows what that linkage is telling the transmission to do.

Yeah, if the linkage was so sloppy that it didn't go into park, I'd be fixing it before I drive it anymore!

Hit Man X · #12 05-03-2009, 10:56 PM

Where are you located? Some members may be able to help you out.

Sounds just like the car was neglected over the last few years.

S-Class Guru · #13 05-04-2009, 04:22 PM

Yeah, there's a little white bushing on the end of the tranny rod - way up under the rear of the tranny. It's a toughie, but can be done with nimble fingers. Then just unhook the rod and screw it either way to align with the shifter detents.

DG

tinypanzer · #14 05-04-2009, 06:26 PM

Hey, great score. How many miles?

I think it quite odd that the engine was replaced. M103 motors are beefy little buggers and can take a lot of punishment. More likely is that the head was pulled to address a leaking head gasket. If so, then great because that's one PITA job you won't have to do.

As some have noted, that's a LOT of car to be pulled around by an engine that size. Unless it is running well, you will find it extremely sluggish. Running properly, it's no speed demon but you will find it to be plenty adequate, especially at highway speeds.

Here's a list of things I did to my 300SE all of which improved the performance of the motor:

1) Fuel pump and filter. If your pump has more than 100K miles on it, just replace it to be sure. These cars use mechanical injection and fuel pressure must be spot on for it to work correctly.

2) Distributor cap, rotor, wires and plugs are all a BIG deal on this car. Easy to replace, but need to be in good shape for the car to run well.

3) Temperature sensors. Very important for power and economy as well as ease of starting. Check the coolant and intake air temperature sensors and replace if out of spec.

4) Vacuum leaks. If you have a big vacuum leak the car will run like crap. There are several places to look on a 300SE. Check the air hose from the valve cover to the intake manifold. Also check the idle air hoses. Basically check every rubber hose under the hood and replace if suspect. One other spot is the rubber boot thingy that mates the air meter bowl to the intake manifold. I would expect that if your engine was truly replaced, those might not be issues unless the replacement was done a long time ago.

Take a deep breath and relax.... You've got a great car, and it seems like it was just allowed to deteriorate a bit. All of it should be readily fixable. You might spend some money doing it but, even if you spent $2K doing the suspension and motor mounts, the steering, ball joints, etc.... that's still less that what the car is worth and there's NO way to come close to that quality a vehicle in that price range. That car was $50K+ when new!

Stick around this forum. Things will crop up and the folks here are simply amazing in their level of knowledge. There are some real experts here and they have helped me solve all sorts of issues. These cars get a little finicky with age, but with perseverance and a little money you will be rewarded with a truly special car.

Check the A/C and climate control. If the A/C is out, that could be very expensive. Barring a shot motor or trans, that's about the most expensive single thing you're likely to run into on this car.

86560SEL · #15 05-05-2009, 12:28 AM

I can attest to that. Mine is the "SEL" LWB model and even heavier and they are no powerhouse thats for sure, but power is adequate for me.

I didnt think that would be possible, because I also have a Lexus LS400 thats a pretty powerful car and gets to speed very quickly, even at low RPMs, but I am a very conservative driver and have not even close put the Lexus to 1/2 of what it will do.