My 1991 300E has been acting up and I would like any suggestions on where to start. The car has 126k and had always been dealer maintained according to the mfr's schedule. I have moved to an area without a good MB shop.

The problem is as follows; in warm or hot weather the engine will not start w/o the air cleaner cover being removed. Once it has started the cover can be replaced, it will idle or run until it comes up to operating temp at which time it will begin to run roughly and stall out if the rpms are allowed to drop. Once it has stalled it will not start again until it has cooled down fully.

In cold weather it will fire up immediately and without any tricks. It will idle well until it reachs operating temp then it will run roughly and stall.

Air flow sensor problems or worse????????

This is a problem that has been thoroughly discussed. Try a search, like on "300E AND idle".

Air flow sensor, idle air valve, temp sensor, lambda system, coil or other ignition issue, injectors, EHA, ECU, flakey wiring and more have all been suggested and investigated as causes. Some, including me, never were able to solve the problem.

__________________
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