Let's play that game again: Online diagnsis - target: W202 C36 AMG

[hk20000]

yup it's that time again for some fun fun diagnosis with a W202 C36AMG I found at the auction.

1997 model C36 AMG

I don't think there are many options to add to that so I'll skip it.

odo reads 155,xxxkm

the car starts very easily, idles very normally, no smoke. Engine check light is on.

The engine will not rev pass 3000RPM without showing major choking / hestitation. There is no smoke coming out of the tail pipe. Drives normal if you drive it below 2000RPM (easy enough with a C36)

all warning lights other than Engine check lights come on at ON position and off once the car is actually started. Coolant is in good shape no vanilla gunk no odd smells in the crankcase whatsoever.

what is a likely culprit? OVP would have had the engine shut before I could get it running, when my W202 C220 ran like that one of my sparkplug cable boots were shot and the spark just misses the plugs when revved hard. I fixed that with a replacement set of wires.

The C36 is rare, exotic in Mercedes fans hearts (first ever AMG Mercedes collabro - I bet it'll go up in price later as a classic) and at auction it probably will be sold at a very reasonable price.

My C220 that I loved but sold came from the same auction yard so it's by no means shady. And I would like a C36 in my stable very much.

If worst comes to worst, how much does it cost to rebuild an AMG 3.6 straight 6 engine? I'll keep that figure in mind when I bid on it tomorrow.

thanks for your advices and tips.