w114 280CE Euro - Brought back to life

[Niko9]

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying to bring back to life my w114 280ce for 3 months now.

the problem was that the car would start but won't hold an idle. initially I thought it was ignition, I changed it to Chinese version and it ran just fine.. just for it to stop running after I changed/ added oil in power steering reservoir and did overall oil change. Everyone was telling me that the oil changes have nothing to do with it.

I've done following

- Cleaned injectors
- Replaced ignition system twice : Chinese version/Petronix kit
- Adjusted cam clearance
- Changed what it seemed new fuel pump.
- Cleaned Tank
- Opened up all wiring harness both from ECU and from overall car wiring
- Changed TPS/MAF Sensors
- All hoses
- 4 Sets of Spark plugs
- Performed Various tests on literally everything

after ordering petronix kit and leads I ve decided to make sure that this time car Will run, and it did but I found out that the battery was not getting more than 12.1 volts charge and it would drastically fall to 8 volts when starting the vehicle.

I decided to address alternator issue, changed it - still nothing, it seemed that the belt was bit loose and on mounting bracket it sat too far. looking from handbook I went and bought another CORRECT belt and next thing you know battery is getting charge..

I drove it for 15 minutes stopped, was over the moon.I was doing some observations and decided to fill up the power steering pump, I kept the engine running and as soon as I topped it off it stalled. and this was it - I cut the power steering belt as there was a puddle of power steering fluid underneath. changed the battery and car starts freely, idles amazing and does not struggle with a thing.


- I assume my starter is not great, nor is the alternator but most importantly the power steering belt was too tight, wrong size, plus there must be a problem with the pump as it is heavily leaking. which I will try to address next..

Any thoughts ?
Regardless - just a reminder that before starting work on your project address all small things first

Electrical - are you getting enough power is the battery charging ?
are the belt sizes correct? take off AC / Power steering belts - you can add them whenever.


this has cost me well a lot of money as well as Time but what can we do.. = thanks everyone who has helped me on this journey

https://ibb.co/P1SvxmP
https://ibb.co/fYSZzxk

[cth350]

Sounds like great progress.
Kudos for keeping at it until you puzzled it out.
Congratulations -CTH

[alabbasi]

I used to have a 71 250CE in that color when I lived in London. I actually hit 115mph on the M4 in it. I know have an Italian spec 72 280CE here in Texas with a 4 speed manual

[rumb]

did the ps pump seize?