Looking at buying a 1993 300 with 2.8. It seems to be in good shape, runs and drives nicely but at idle it fluctuates badly. When doing this there is a little black somke and smells like it is flooding out.

Is there a common problem with this? Can someone suggest what I might be getting into. I'm a pretty decent mechanic and plan on doing the work myself.

Thanks for any help.
51

Sounds like an ignition problem with unburnt fuel.

Could be plugs, connectors, ignition wires, coils, engine wiring harness or ECM..?

Could be many things.

Get the codes read, then you may have a better idea of where to go.

Could be MAF, or Electronic throttle body, or something as simple as ignition components.

Or even the wiring loom failing. The insulation falls of and they short out.

As mentioned, start by pulling the error codes. Sounds like it's in default mode - quite possibly the MAF is dead and the computer is guessing at the air/fuel mixture. That would be code 4 on pin 8. Don't ask how I know this

eta

__________________
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


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Engine wiring harness upper and lower and coil pack.