Author Topic: Need engine help I am stumped  (Read 6942 times)

erickmarciano

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Need engine help I am stumped
« on: June 21, 2012, 16:54:59 »
Hi guys was trying to help a friend who purchased. 280se coupe
The car did not start for 20 years
1-Cleared the gas tank  etc etc
2 - changed the head gasket and had the head rebuilt
Put oil for a while in the cylinder

We tried to start it and it will not
Did a compression test and only got 60 psi
Once I squirt oil I get 120
What should be my next step?
Thanks
Erick
1994 E500 W124
1971 280sl
1989 Porsche 930 coupe
1988 e30 m3
2001 ducati mh900
2006 ps1000
1962 Vespa GS160

Iconic

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2012, 17:00:26 »
It sound like you already spun it, so ....
You need fuel, spark, and air to make an engine run.
I would check to make sure you have those three.
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

erickmarciano

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2012, 19:03:18 »
Got all 3 but have a low compression would an engine start at 60 psi?
Is there a way to free the rings?
Thanks
1994 E500 W124
1971 280sl
1989 Porsche 930 coupe
1988 e30 m3
2001 ducati mh900
2006 ps1000
1962 Vespa GS160

ja17

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2012, 22:30:13 »
Hello Erick,

60psi on all cylinders?
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

erickmarciano

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2012, 23:47:59 »
Yes all cylinders
When I put oil I get 120-130
Thanks
1994 E500 W124
1971 280sl
1989 Porsche 930 coupe
1988 e30 m3
2001 ducati mh900
2006 ps1000
1962 Vespa GS160

Benz Dr.

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2012, 03:38:01 »
I'd say that it's pooched.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

reggie

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2012, 09:22:42 »
You changed the head gasket ?, Low compression on all cylinders, Maybe the valve timing is out ?, Just thinking out loud, ???
1969 280 5 speed zf 180g

ctaylor738

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2012, 13:10:09 »
Agree with the Dr.  If you doubled the compression by squirting oil, it's hosed.
Chuck Taylor
1963 230SL #00133
1970 280SL #13027 (restored and sold)
1966 230SL #15274 (sold)
1970 280SL #14076 (sold)
Falls Church VA

Via Manci

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2012, 15:05:35 »
I am stumped with the words  "hosed" and "pooched".

Thanks for clarifying

Mike

Ron

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2012, 15:51:38 »


I think they mean new rings/pistons, or worse, new block.  Regardless, it needs major work.  Ron
1966 230SL, euro

Benz Dr.

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2012, 17:32:28 »
I am stumped with the words  "hosed" and "pooched".

Thanks for clarifying

Mike

I think maybe slang has different meanings depending on where you live and in many cases it's local in context. Pooched is more commonly used around Toronto and seldom heard where I live.
Hosed has several different meanings. I've heard it used as '' getting hosed '' which means being cheated. Then there's '' hoser '' which is slang for being a Canadian, not in common use anymore. Hose head; a dumb ass. Hosey; trashy looking. Hose bag; a cheap tart who sits at the bar waiting for guys to buy her drinks. Hose; what you pee through. Hose; something women used to wear on their legs back in the 70's.

In this case ' hosed ' means; ruined, screwed, trashed, blowed up, beat, zonked, woofed it's cookies, puked, etc.

I could go on but that should be enough to demonstrate that there's more than one meaning.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

w113dude

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped, Updated info,
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2012, 15:08:26 »
Hello Everyone,

Erick has been helping me with this project, here are some missing information, according to the owner of the car the engine has original 43000 kilometers (European). The car sat for over 20, the work that I have done to the engine so far, taken the head out because of a couple of loose valve guides so I replace them all with new valve seals, the head had no bow to it at all very straight the rocker arms and the camshaft looked new, so my question is if an engine that is so clean with low mileage what are the chances of the piston rings setting back to original position if we are able to start the car with help of some oil on top of the pistons building up compression, has any body had this problem & was able to get it to work?

Thanks
Shaun

ja17

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #12 on: June 26, 2012, 04:20:02 »
Hello Shaun,

Try to get it started. The rings may not be stuck that bad.  The engine heat cycles will help free them up. Make sure the engine is primed with fuel, you have a good strong battery and a fresh set of spark plugs.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

erickmarciano

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Re: Need engine help I am stumped
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2012, 14:03:58 »
What i found weird is when we were crancking the engine it would not turn very fast with a full battery. Are there different size starters that would turn faster?
Thanks
1994 E500 W124
1971 280sl
1989 Porsche 930 coupe
1988 e30 m3
2001 ducati mh900
2006 ps1000
1962 Vespa GS160