1961 220Sb stalls when choke is pushed in.

[badali]

I just started my 220Sb for the first run this year.  I put in plugs and points after going around the block and rough running. The car will run well if I keep my foot on the gas.  I just temporarily adjusted the choke out just a little so it will stay running when at idle.  I'm kind of stumped for now since I think I had the choke in the whole way before and it would idle ok.  The car is a 4 speed on the column.

[Benz Dr.]

Vacuum leak, low fuel level, not enough ignition timing, wrong dwell angle, idle screw turned in too far.  Lots to look for.

[badali]

The points are at 16 thousandth.  I really didn't change anything else.  I didn't check for a vacuum leak.  I'll check everything when I can get back to it.  There was a little corrosion inside the distributor and the old points were burnt.

[ja17]

You probably stored it with Ethanol fuel in it. Try to find some non-ehtanol fuel before storing a car especially one with carburetors. We have "Sheets" fuel stations in Ohio which have some non-ethanol pumps. The ethanol fuel absorbs water out of the air and the moisture is especially hard on fuel systems, especially carbureted. Sounds like you have a brass idle jet plugged. You can remove most of the jets on the carburetors without removing or taking the carburetor apart. Just locate the jets one at a time and clean the tiny opening. I can almost guarantee you it is an idle jet plugged. If you have a BBB it should point out where the idle jet is for you. Give me a call if you need to Brad.

Joe

[badali]

Thanks Joe and Dan.  I haven't had a chance to get back to it yet.  I work weekends...  I'll let you know what works when I get to look at it again.

[badali]

Joe, Are the pin holes at the end of these what would be plugged? The rest of it didn't look too bad.  I cleaned them and put them back in.  I didn't try to start it yet as I ran out of time again...

[ja17]

Yes, those are the idle jets. There is a tiny hole at the end. Clear it and you should be ready to go. A small tag wire will work if it will not blow clean.

[badali]

I just took the car around the block today.  It does run better with the idle jets cleaned.  It stalled when I stopped at a stop sign while fully warmed up.  The points are set at .016.  The book says .012-.016 or metric .3-.4.  Believe it or not in almost 40 years I have never had to use a dwell meter.  So I'm thinking it's time to learn...

[ja17]

Hi Brad. Unscrew the spring loaded idle fuel adjustment screws all the way and give the opening a shot of compressed air. Re-install the idle adjusment screws all the way till they just bottom out, then back each off a turn and a half. Start engine and finish adjusting the them for smoot idle. I assume you know the adjusting procedure? Call me if you need.

[badali]

I finally got back to it today.  It runs and idles great now.    I rechecked the idle jets and ran a tiny wire through them.  They were still a little plugged.  I didn't run a wire through them the first time since I thought they looked clean after I sprayed carb cleaner through them.  Thanks Joe!!

This car has been what got me started into Mercedes back in 1987 when I was 21.  The car always needs a little tinkering and will never be perfect but I really like driving the 4 speed on the column.  A year and a half ago I replaced the transmission and adjusted the linkage and it shifts well.  One of these days I will get to the valve guide seals so I won't have to keep changing spark plugs...

[ja17]

Good job Brad,
Find some ethanol-free gasoline to put in it before you store it for the winter this fall to prevent more problems. You can go back to running your ethanol gas the rest of the time.