Engine is running sooooo sweet!


I did post this over in my AC thread, but no feedback so let me try here...

I had recharged the system with fresh R12 over a year ago, and the AC was working great, but I noticed the sight glass on the old dryer was leaking.
It was still blowing pretty cold, and the static pressure I had was about 65psi.

When I did the Dryer replacement, I used my AC unit to evac then recharge the system.
It took out about 14oz total from the car.
When I tried to recharge the unit would only put back 16oz.
The hood badge says 1kg or 2.2lb.

Despite only putting less than half of that in, the static pressure is about 110psi today...

The AC works great, in fact I just did a vent test and with the ambient in my garage reading 75degF I am getting 30degF at the vents at 2000rpm.

Anyone care to comment???

nice idea
 

Hi,

this valve cover looks extremely nice.
I'm curious how you did this (in particular which paints did you use?)

Cheers,
steh-fan

Thanks...
All the info you need here...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/detailing-interior/288305-painted-my-m103-valve-cover-today.html

As some of you may have spotted, I suddenly had a no start condition after trying to test the O2 sensor output...
The engine was running Soooo sweet, then suddenly, it started to mis slightly... it got worse and worse and then stalled..
I was puzzled.
I tested everything and it ended up being the OVP went bad!
The story is here...
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/317913-what-did-i-do.html

Anyway, I have been very distracted with some othere issues...

Here is the end result... Almost there now.. just a few patches on this side to do..

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...eam/005-13.jpg

Sharp lookin coach! Silver bullet.

Yup, the Polish is getting there...

So, just when its was a spit from being done, the original plan to give the 190 to the daughter has changed. She has elected to stay in Europe to study.

Now I need to make a decision...

So, while the whole story and my choices are unfolding, I am just getting on with making Peachy right!

Spent a ton of hours getting the last of the paint dialed in...
Washed, clayed, buffed, and waxed to baby butt perfection.
From what I see every panel and the paint on it is original!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0161333993.jpg

Even got sent the original phone by the PO!
LOL, do these even work thesedays?
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/005-3.jpg

Even tho the fuel system flow was spot on, I had a new fuel filter, so put it on.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...j/Merc/007.jpg

I wanted to change the diff oil, but dont have a hex big enough to get the drain plug out..

Anyone care to tell me what size it is???

Nice work, that car is happy to be under your care.

IIRC the differential plug is 14mm, but double check. It's quite huge.

My 190E received a valve job recently, and I guess I'm lucky my mechanic added a personal touch - replicating the valve cover paintwork you did. :)

14mm.. thanks.
I will probably get a set from HF that includes that size...
Can you ever REALLY have too many tools??

Glad you enjoyed the valve cover and you have one similar too!

I am planning to get the smog done soon and will report back!

Replaced the passenger side mirror foot rubber too..

Before..
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/001-2.jpg


After...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/003-3.jpg

Pulled off the rear wheels checked the brakes and cleaned everything up...
22 years old.... Really?

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/001-3.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/003-4.jpg

Replaced the cracked center vent surround...
New one has 3 holes, so I will need to get another switch blanking plate.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/002-5.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/004-4.jpg

You can wire up the garage door opener to one of the older MB 190E switches, and place it on one of the open slots on your new center vent cover.

I bought a new center vent cover too as mine was cracking. Same problem I had with yours, except mine had the antenna switch so I only needed one blank cover.

So how did the smog test go?

Well, the smog test was not good...
The first time I tested it last year, it failed, but since then I have been thru everything, ignition and fuel system.
Duty cycle is now bang on, car idles super smooth, plugs look the correct color..
Everything looked great...

I took it in for a Pre-test... it failed on the HC at the lower speed.. twice the limit...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/Smog2.jpg

Brought it home, frustrated, and went thru everything again... hence my post on duty cycle questions.
Mechanic says maybe O2 sensor and/or Cat.

The car runs great, starts first time, and runs strong...
Upon testing the O2 sensor, I felt it was slow to respond...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/003-5.jpg

Here are two video links showing the tester before and after, with the Duty cycle readings for reference at idle(I had it set at 30% because I was trying to get the best balance between rich and lean... I later put it back to 50%)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...c/th_004-2.jpg

And at 2500rpm with the same duty cycle..
The cycling is faster, but I my gut said it was sluggish.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...c/th_005-4.jpg


I replaced it...
Now look at the diffence at idle..
Duty clcle was reset to 50%, and look at the snappier response and wider voltage swings between rich and lean.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...erc/th_010.jpg

And at 2500rpm..
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...erc/th_011.jpg

Feeling confident, with the new O2 sensor in, everything was feeling good!

Took it back for a Pre-test....
It failed again on HC at the lower speed...
Oh, and just for good measure to give me a kick in the nuts, between the morning start and the smog station... the CEL bulb blew, adding a visual failure to the insult!
The reading were pretty similar... failed at lower engine speed...

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...4974354958.jpg

I got under the car...
I had not done this before, but I banged the Cat... which is not the OEM unit...
It rattled...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...c/th_004-5.jpg

So, I decided to replace it..
Here is CA, its not so simple or cheap...
But here it is... the correct magnaflow CARB approved cat..
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/001-6.jpg

Cut the old one off today...
The pictures will speak for themselves....
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...Merc/012-1.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...j/Merc/017.jpg

I am feeling like that could be the issue!

In the process of trying to figure out if I had Ignition issues, I pulled out my old Beckman Ignition Analyzer...
I have owned this for about 8 years and had only used it once before to see if it worked...
I worked great, and was able to see that as far as my limited knowledge is of how to read this beast, all was well!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...man/th_008.jpg