Hopefully not a problem...

[bsimaz]

Well now that spring time is here ( or rapidly approching) I'm sure we will be seeing more questions as people pull their cars from winter storage.  

Hence,  my post...

Took my car out for the first time in a few months and had a heck of a time starting it.   It would start right up and idle fine for about 3-5 seconds then stall.  Seems like no gas.   It would start right up again and then stall.  It would keep doing that for about 5 minutes until it warmed up then run fine.    

One thing I did notice (not sure if it's related to the starting problem),  I took apart the air filter and host from the intake manafold and found the inside of the hose wet from what appeared to be the look of water and oil mix.   It looks like it is coming from the vacuum hose that is connected to the distributor cap.   I can see fluid in the vacuum line moving to the intake when the engine is rev'ed up.  Where and why would there be fluid in the distributor cap.  I opened the cap and everything looks good under the cap.   I did not take the distributor apart and look deeper yet.  I have not noticed this before.

As always,  Comments and direction is always appreciated.


Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

[bsimaz]

Thanks for the reply.   I'll check things out when I get home.  

Just a reminder to all bringing out their cars for the spring.  When I was cleaning out the intake manifold I put a opened the air intake and wedged a paper towel in there to soak up any remaining condensation.   Well, I forgot to take it out when I put back the air filter and hose.  After one attempt at starting it, and the engine rev'ing quite high, I remembered I had left it in.  [:0]  To my relief the paper towel did not get sucked in the manifold.   All turned out well.  

So remember to double check when putting things back together.  I know I will.


Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

[bsimaz]

Update...

First, Thank you for the advice and solution.  Dr. Benz was spot on.

Yes, my warm-up thermostat was pretty stuck.   Very difficult to get out.  there was some build-up around the side and even a little sand between the upper and lower part.   A few very small drops of Marvel Mystery Oil and patentce finally got it out.  Cleaned and oiled and replaced.   Car runs better than before.   Must have been a problem for a while.  

Question:  What does the small adjustment screw on the top of the inside piece do?  Does that have anything to do with idle?   My car seem to idle higher now than before.  Around 1400 rpm.   I know that there is an idle adjustment on the fuel injection pump.  I did not notice if that small adjusting screw in the warm-up thermo was in any certain posion.   I bottomed out the screw when re-installing it.

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road