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230sl idle

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69tr

Jedi Trainee
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I backed the 230 out for a wash and ride on July 4. When I tried to start it again it would not start. I changed plugs and condenser and set the points with a dwell meter.(Could not find points locally).

The car started but idles rough, very rough. I cracked the connector connections at the cylinder and got a lot of air bubbles from the line on #5 & #6. The others had little if any air bubbles. Any one have any idea where the air is coming from since the system is pressurized all the way from the tank?

It seems that if there were a leak out side the tank there would gas leaking out. HELP.

Thanks, Pete
 
Guess I'll just have to come take it off your hands....hehehehe
 
I found that you cannot adjust the idle mixture with the engine running.

We did get the mixture adjusted so that the car idles a lot better. There is a hose that runs from just above the air filter directly to the intake manifold with an adjustment at the intake end. We adjusted this to get the idle better.

Right now we have the idle set at about 800 RPM in neutral. The RPM fluctuates about 200 RPM and the engine will not run when I put the car in gear.

The problem does not seem to be isolated to one cylinder. I pulled the plug wires one at a time and the result seemed to be the same on each cylinder.

I am thinking vacum leak. Any other ideas???

BTW, Tony, don't temp the bride with an offer. She finally got a cool little car but I don't know how patient she will be if I don't get it running pretty soon.


Thanks, Pete
 
Well, Virginia isn't that far away & I do have a trailer....hehehehe
 
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Outta curiosity: Which injection pump does that thing have on it?
 
If you've sprayed for vacuum leaks and not found/fixed any. Sounds like you're in for a pump rebuild. Big symptom is the air in the pressure line.

The pump is kinda like a little engine, with pistons acting as pressure producers for each cylinder. They wear in their bores.

Might do a google search for pump rebuilders or MB clubs. Used to belong to one, decades ago, that provided a very proficient magazine that had lots of references, rebuilders, parts suppliers, etc.
 
Ron's right. Likely the bores/pistons in the pump are worn. Tolerances in there are "tight" to say the least. What it sounds like is you're experiencing vapour lock. the lines will get warm enough to vapourise the fuel in 'em and the pump is worn to a point where the output pressure can't overcome the vapour. If you 'crack open' the injector lines at the fittings and spin the engine 'till you see fuel coming out then snug 'em back it'll likely fire off and run again for a bit.

The dreaded Kuegelfischer, I'm guessin'...
 
I have made some adjustments on the linkage. Some guys on the Pagoda forum were very helpful with some information. Now the engine has smoothed out a lot but I can't get the RPM down to where they need to be.

I have not had time to work on the car for a few days. When I get back to it, I am going over the adjustments again with a clear head. I also have some more information. As for now, the car runs pretty good but it idles at about 1100 RPM.

I am going to ride it to a BBQ this weekend to see how it goes. In the mean time, I guess I will be checking for someone to rebuild the injector pump.

I need to try to keep the MB running until I get the TR6 back on the road. Need at least 1 convertible running until winter!!

Thanks again, Pete
 
Ah the Beloved Kugelfischer!

They were fun!!

We ran them on the Martini Mk21(If I remember the numbers right) Formula Three in 1972, They had the Novamotor engine. Not a bad little 1500 cc dohc British Ford motor, but had to suck through a 26 mm restrictor, which is awfully small, just over an inch. Fuel supplied by Kugelfischer. Not bad on a race motor.
 
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