1963 220SL

[n/a]

My husband has a 1963 220SL and has problems with the fuel injection system, more specifically, the pump. He is a mechanic and a very good one at that but he cannot seem to get any information on this, even from Mercedes UK. Has anybody any ideas?

[Ricardo]

Nicole
There are several experts on this site who can help with just about anything, but it would be helpful to know a bit more. What kind of problems he is having, the symptoms etc.. The general wisdom seems to be that there is not much for the mechanic to do with the pump and it is usually recommended to have it professionally serviced, if in fact there is a problem with it. Often the problem has to do with fuel delivery/ cold start systems, but it does happen that these pumps need refurbishing, especially if the car sat for a long time. There are rebuilders known to this group, but it will depend on your location etc.
Try to get him to talk to us and he will be glad he did, not that we mind chatting with his boss  
Hope that helps

[n/a]

Hi Ricardo, thanx for your quick response and the lovely wit!
My husband, Anthony is at work at the moment, I have relayed your message to him and he said that the cold start might be an issue. He will give you more info later today.
Thank you again
Nicole

[JamesL]

He may want to have a chat with Tower Bridge Diesels

12 Verny Road London SE16 3DH Phone +44 (0)20 7231 1488.

They know their onions on the FI pump in particular and can rebuild part or all of it, should it come to that. May be worth a call to ask some questions/explain the symptoms and see what they suggest

[glennard]

What is a 220SL?  Economy 230SL or converted 220SE?

quote:Originally posted by nicolejd60

My husband has a 1963 220SL and has problems with the fuel injection system, more specifically, the pump. He is a mechanic and a very good one at that but he cannot seem to get any information on this, even from Mercedes UK. Has anybody any ideas?

[n/a]

Hi, the engine is petrol and it is fuel injection, not carb. The symptoms are that there is high pressure coming into the pump and low coming out. Cold start has no power, when powering it up it clicks, and does not start. After about twenty turns of the key it fires up but misfires and starts building up individual cylinders.

[Ricardo]

Hi Anthony
There is a lot of info already posted on this site regarding the fuel delivery system, cold start system, the setting of the linkages and other aspects of the fuel system. It does take some time to search out these things, but if you use key words like "cold start valve", "linkage adjustment" etc. you will find everything you want to know has already been discussed in great detail...it is time consuming to read through them all, but it's necessary. We want to help but we try not to duplicate all this info each time someone new to the group has similar questions. I hope that doesn't sound like a put down or a put off, it's just that the real experts here, don't always have the time or inclination to repeat themselves again.
That being said, the cold start valve only operates while cranking, and is controlled by a relay and the temp. sensor mounted on the injection pump side of the engine. Some of the inj. pumps have an additional enrichment solenoid mounted on the rear of them which pushes the rack to richen for several minutes. Fuel delivery is quite important to proper running and the best place to test is to remove the fuel return line right at the gas tank to check for flow and volume...1 litre in 15 seconds being the minimum needed. The fuel pressure is less important than the volume as the injection pump is responsible for the pressure needed to open the injectors, not the fuel pump, it's just pumping in a continous loop, but needs to have the correct volume and this is often a source of running problems...a plugged outlet screen in the tank (drain tank and remove the large nut on the bottom to access) a plugged inlet screen in the fuel pump, a plugged fuel filter in the engine bay, or restrictions in the return to tank line can all cause poor running issues. The "pressure" regulator in the engine compartment is in fact a damper to lessen noise and pulsing in the system and not to regulate pressure. But first thing to determine is adequate flow, then let us know what you find and we'll go from there
Chances are the injection pump itself will be fine, so don't run out and get it rebuilt before testing everything else.
Good luck