300CE Hard Starting
 

Hi,

New to the board. I use a similar board at Jeeps Unlimited.com and this board looks like there is a ton of great info.

While I'm waiting for my Service Manuals to arrive, can someone give me some advice? I searched the archives for about an hour and got all kinds of great tips but still have 2 questions:

1. Everytime I start the 89 CE, it stalls. (I did wait a few seconds before starting it after I turn the key on to make sure fuel pressure is there). After one night with the fuel pressure guage on it, I have very little to no leakdown of fuel pressure (Car only has 50K on it).

The car starts fine the second time and it does this EVERY SINGLE time whether it's cold , hot, morning etc. It's just a quirk that I live with (until now). The car runs fantastic otherwise, has great pickup, no smoke etc so it's does not seem to be running rich etc., Plugs / wires etc look great. I've seen posts for the OVP and other things but I don't seem to have any "shaking" symptoms or rough idle that that seems to cause. I was just wondering if anyone has some tips on what this could be. After starting, the car does idle rough but only for 3-5 seconds or so which makes me think that it's fuel related but I'm just not familiar with the car as of yet.

2: (This one is just silly). I just bought this car from my uncle who babied it. And I'm actually a bit embarassed to ask him how the Fuel Door Opens ! I understand the central locking system "unlocks it" but I've been just getting my fingers between the seam and opening the fuel door with my hand. Is there a release or something for it. ??

Sorry for the long post.

1. could be the ovp. check part number of your ovp vs part number of newer design of the ovp.

2. Check distributor cap and rotor - they could be very worn.

3. when was the last time the plugs were changed?

4. have you run a fuel injector cleaner? Techron is usually whats recommended

5. have you had the coil's output checked?

6. for the fuel door, just push on the side closest to the front, and it will go in.

Let us know how it goes.

Alon

BTW, I have similar problem, but cold starting is fine. warm starts are my problem. I am just living with it, but I know my dist cap and rotor are in need of replacement. thats next on my list.

Thaks Mark.....
 

Thaks for the tips Mark.

Plugs are recent (Bosh) but did'nt help. I think you may be on track with the cap/rotor. The car did sit alot and even though it only has 50K, I figured I would replace them along with the wires. Although I did put some injector cleaner in, I'll try the brand you mentioned.

Thanks for the "gas door info".

Beleive it or not, Your car was what prompted me to buy the CE from my Uncle. I was doing a search on the web for the "larger 2- door" that I saw (SEC I think,,) and came across several CE's including yours. Nice car and nice choice of upgrades. I've got a set of Euro Headlights for mine, "newer style" taillights like yours. I'm just trying to decide on Wheels. I'm leaning toward a 5-spoke but not sure how I feel about the looks of them on the car as opposed to something like a stock 8-hole. (Thanks goodness for TireRack..).

I've got a 91 Jaguar XJS V-12 that was my "weekend car" but they are just so "un-cost effective" and "slightly less than reliable for long trips". The Benz is so much more "solid".

yes jags, beautiful, but beasts on maintenance. :)

BTW Names Alon not mark. :) but thats ok. theres a first for everthing.. :) hehe

Definately check the cap and rotor.

ALon