How´s your idle?

[Greg]

Just a short question about my idle. Motor works and run perfectly fine. I read that it is quite normal for pagodas to have high idle. Mine is just under 10, around 9. It sounds too much by hearing the engine. I don't really want to mess around since car is working fine. What about yours?


Greg

[Cees Klumper]

I think mine is a bit over 850. But I believe I can get it to idle at just about any RPM I'd want to.

[w113dude]

mine is about 850 too, but why don't you just adjust it a bit lower?

[pj]

I'm not so confident as Cees that I can get it to idle at any pace, but I didn't like that my 230 was idling around 1400. Dan (Benz Dr.) adjusted the timing thingy for me, which made the engine run more smoothly, and when I got back to my driveway I fiddled with the screw on the air intake side, and now she idles around 800. Which I like very much. I was worried it might stall at idle, but there were plenty of times this weekend when it didn't.

[Greg]

Ok, I will lower mine. Seems like 850 is the sweet point.

Thanks
Greg

[wwheeler]

If you have an automatic, 1000 is too high in my opinion. It will surge when put into gear. I am not sure if it matters with a manual trans. Mine idles at about 850 as well in park. When put into drive, it is still 850 because the throttle solenoid is adjusted so that it maintains the same engine speed.

[George Des]

If after making all the linkage adjustments and FI pump adjustments you still can't get a good consistent idle, it may be time to check your power brake unit. I just had mine rebuilt and my 230Sl will idle smoothly and consistently at about 650-700 rpm. Apparently there was a very small leak in the power brake diaphragm that was allowing just enough additional air into the system to cause the idle issues.

[Benz Dr.]

 Pretty easy to check for that problem by disconnecting and plugging the hose going to the manifold.

[George Des]

Dan, checking it the way you mentioned is what led me to have it rebuilt. It greatly improved both the braking and the idle. So far, very happy with the rebuild both cosmetically and functionally.