1963 230SL EURO. Shutters and Shuts off Chicago IL

[ribarra3]

Hello All,

 I am new to this site, and I've been having problems with my fathers 63' 230Sl Euro. The engine does not want to stay on more than 4 minutes, sometimes she doesnt even stay on after 30 seconds. I have changed the fuel pump, points, condensor, plugs, cables, and i have exhausted all avenues. I've read your forum topics here and there but have not found issues relating to my 63 injection pump. Can someone please help. Thanks!

[Jordan]

While not an expert on these cars it sounds like it may be fuel delivery problem.  You say you changed the fuel pump, did you change it with a used or new one?  Have you checked the filter in the fuel pump?  Have you changed the fuel filter at the engine and have you looked at the filter in the tank?  Do you know the condition of the inside of your fuel tank?  If there is a lot of rust and other crud in your tank it may be plugging up your flower pot and/or filter.  Have you checked the fuel flow rate at the IP?  Just a couple of things to start with.  There are a number of other threads addressing these issues.  Good luck, I know from experience it can be very frustrating trying to find the source of a problem.  Keep at it, you'll get there. 

[Largeowner]

Hello Jordan,

One other thing you can check.  On 230SL's the lubrication to the injection pump is a closed system.  It DOES NOT circulate oil from the engine.  When I bought my 230SL three years ago I had similar problems.  It would run fine until the fuel tank was half full, then it would shudder and stall.  When I suctioned the oil out of the fuel injection pump it was thick, old and dirty!  I replaced the oil, ran it for a week, then replaced it again. 

The runability problems completely disappeared!

Large Owner