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#1
09-13-2010, 08:26 AM
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Surging idle in a 1988CE. Is this car worth buying?
Hi Guys:
I'm more of W126 guy but I saw a 300CE for sale nearby. Car is a 1988 has 122,000 miles. Looking around the car I found it to be pretty clean for the a 23 yr old car. No rust on it other than around the small side turn signals in the front fenders. The leather interior was still in pretty decent shape. All of the electronic stuff windows, sunroof, etc worked . AC may have been working/ We didn't run long enough to see but the air did seem to be cooling down. The biggest problem I could see is the altenator needs replacing. We got the started with a boost from my car and took it for a short ride. Oil pressure came up to 3 and settled down to 2 as the car warmed up. Idling was around intially 500 rpm but it was a bit rough. After the car warmed up the idling oscillated between 500 and 1500 quickly up and down. I'm wondering if that might because of the alternator not working? We took the car for a quick spin on the street ( no plates) and the it seemed to drive okay. Transmission shifted okay and when the gas pedal was pressed it picked up with no hesitation. The current owner is a university student who bought it last winter from a car lot so there not much history available. He has spent about $2500 since doing the following: New rear resonator, New exhaust manifold gaskets, New brake rotors and pads, New center steering link, Asking price is $2300 with room for negotiation. He selling it as he move out west to work, I'm worried about the oscillating idle. Can anybody suggest possible causes? Is this car work considering? 
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#2
09-13-2010, 08:34 AM
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that's a good price. check to see if the ovp is good...
first the fuse, then pull it out and shake it to see if you have a rattle
__________________
1989 300ce 129k ( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone) 1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus 1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k  1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it [/SIGPIC]
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#3
09-13-2010, 08:48 AM
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The idle problem could be a bad OVP or low alternator output as suggested, or:
- bad or mis-adjusted throttle position switch - problem with the vehicle speed sensor - bad or mis-adjusted airflow sensor potentiometer - leaks in idle air tubes - tired oxygen sensor - tired idle control valve None of these are show-stoppers.
__________________
Chuck Taylor Falls Church VA '66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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#4
09-13-2010, 03:59 PM
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Well ..scratch this one off my list. I just got the used vehicle history of the car from the Motor Vehicle branch and it has had 18 registered owners ( 7 dealers) in its history. That does not bode well.
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#5
09-13-2010, 04:35 PM
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Wow, 18!?!
I think its priced double what it should be for an average condition fixer upper. You have to plan for the worst case scenario.
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k  1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k  1980 240D Stick China 188k  2001 CLK55 AMG 101k  2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! 
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#6
09-13-2010, 11:03 PM
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offer 1,200$ and cash and watch his reaction. Settle for 1,500$. -CTH
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