hello,

I have a 1986 190E 2.3 that I am working on, but I don't know if it's a 16V or not. I bought a distributor cap and rotor for it assuming it was a 16V. When I removed the old distributor cap the fastener was different. The old cap had a hook type hold down. The cap I bought had actual screws to ahod it down. I figure that this engine I am working on is not a 16V.

The car sounded like it was missing at idle so I decided to replace the plugs (bosch super H8DC) and to check the cap and rotor. I also checked the wires and they all tested around 1.1K ohms. I did notice as I was pulling the wires and testing them that they were in the wrong order. The plastic tunnel that the wires go thru indicate the firing order is 1-3-4-2 (2 being the front of the car closest to the radiator fan.) When I tested the wires, 1 and 4 were interchanged. I figured that was the cause of the misfire/stumbling at idle. I have the service manual for the engine and it indicates that the firing order is 1-3-4-2 with 1 being closest to the radiator fan.

Now the car won't start. I tried both ways. What is the correct sequence to this? Engine number is 102985-12-027203

any help would be appreciated. Thank in advance

Nolan

The engine you are working on is a 8V motor. & the correct cap should be MB 000-158-43-02.
The firing order is 1-3-4-2 & the cap should be marked. 1 is closest to the front of the engine.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

-- Comment irrelevant after previous post was edited --

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

MB Doc,

1-4-3-2 didn't work....I got nasty popping sounds when cranking. I didn't manage to get the corrent cap and rotor yet ( have to exchange the ones I bought).

I tried the 1-3-4-2 as per the book and it started up but ran rough for about 5 min then cleared up. I think it could run a little smoother after the cap and rotor are replaced.

Thanks for the replies.

Nolan

OOPS 1-3-4-2 is correct! Brain Fade.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

M.B.DOC

No reason to apologize. Didn't you say 1-3-4-2 in your first post?

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

I believe mb doc edited his original reply to reflect the correct firing order.

Didn't know that could be done. Wish I could take back some things that I have said and change them!

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)