Stalling when idling in drive position

[n/a]

as I had mentioned already in the "idle solenoid" thread, my 280 stalls when I shift from N to 4 if I don't accelerate strongly or after a few seconds when I come to stop position (in 4 position). Once the car is running, it accelerates a drives very well. This problems appears as soon as the car is warm (and it has been 30.C 86.F in the city this past week).

the mechanic I left the car to this weekend told me he is waiting for a part: an idle valve. Does this sound right??
Could it be also the injection that needs to be cleaned??
how serious (and harmfull for my wallet) can this be??

Fabrice
(Frustrated not to have his 280sl for one of the 1st sunny weekend in New York for the past 3 months!!!)

Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[Cees Klumper]

I had this problem when I first got my 280 SL. It was a US model, but in fitting a european 280 SE engine, the emission controls etc had been removed. Apparently, the shop who did this neglected to change to the correct (different) distributor and this caused the car to stall after it warmed up, when I put it from neutral in drive. This happened to me when I picked up the car from the dealer I bought it at on the very first day, and it caused some very embarrassing (and frustrating!) moments in downtown Amsterdam. It was at first remedied by all kinds of adjustments to the mixture, timing etc. but this never really solved the problem, until a correct distributor was fitted (advance rather than retard, or vice-versa, I don't recall).

'Idle valve' does not ring a bell with me, unless he means 'idle solenoid' as we have been discussing. The injection system should normally not need to be 'cleaned'. You might run Techron (by Chevron) through it because it can't hurt but don't expect something like that to cure this kind of a problem.

Are you sure your mechanic is sufficiently knowledgeable about your car to be able to diagnose correctly? This is always Vital Step no. 1.

[rwmastel]

Could the stalling be caused by a lean condition?  I ask because this "idle valve" could be the valve on the injection pump that controls extra air to the engine until warm-up is complete.  This could be:

1. Stuck closed.  Adjustments were made for when the engine is cold, but when it warms up this extra air continues to be supplied, causing a lean condition.
2. Stuck open.  No adjustments made for when the engine is cold, but when it warms up there is still air supplied, causing a lean condition.

Just a guess.

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420

[n/a]

Merci beaucoup!!!!
Cees, no, I am not sure 100% about the mechanic, but his shop deals 85% with Mercedes-Benz.
My 280 sl is an original Us version, but I am still in the US...
I am still in the early days of owning: 1) an antique car; 2) a Mercedes and 3) a car (living in manhattan, this is the first car I've owned since I moved from paris to new York...in 98!!!)

So I am still "shopping" for a good mechanic.
I guess it will take me a few more weeks / months to figure that out... for the moment (I keep my fingers crossed, I am still within my "post purchase budget", and still have a little room to go!!
I am intending, however, to leave the car 2 weeks in a shop close to Philadelphia specialized in concours restoratiom of mercedes (such as 300sl), they might even be too much into details, but I guess it can't really hurt to have their take on the car.

as for the car, i should get it back sometime next week, I'll see how it runs!!!

Rodd, i will ask exactly which part it is and let you know!!
I just hope it is not that 300$ solenoid piece!!!!

Lastly, Cees, I can picture the embarrassing moment in amsterdam.... I had my moment 2 months ago, stuck with those silly shoe they put on the car when you exceed your parking time by 2mn, except I had 1h30mn to catch my plane!!!!!...stressfull souvenir...but isn't everyone riding a bike any way?

Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[n/a]

Rodd,

this might be it, but we are waiting for this valve. I hope to get it soon (maybe today...) and finally have my car back. I feel like something is missing, when I can't go at night and have a look to my car...

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[n/a]

I got my car back, working properly!!

The part (still waiting to have the exact par number to post) was the thermostatic valve on top of the injection system (I hope I am not mixing up, still learning about mechanic). Well, the car doesn't stall anymore and works very well (for now!!). Cost (parts and labor) was close to 250$, but included some cleaning of injection pump and the exchange of a couple of hoses that were leaking.

thank you for all the input and help.

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City