Car won't start-original heading, I know but:help!

[jameshoward]

Dear All,

Just putting the thing back together after brakes and bearings, etc. The car has not been driven for 2 weeks. Last time it was driven it was reversed into the workshop and stalled. Tried to start it a week or 2 later and it just won't start.

I have a spark. I have a tank of new gas (admittedly the first tank of new gas it's had since it arrived with me - so say about 6 - 8 months) and it's been driven on the new gas and ran very well, albeit that it's only done 3 miles.

It turns over perfecctly well. I have fuel to the injectors. I've made no changes whatsoever to the engine settings.

And it won't start.

Can anyone give me some suggestions as to where I might start the process of getting the thing to run?

It is a 66 230 SL manual.

Many thanks,

JH

[Cees Klumper]

I would start with checking the ignition timing. You have spark but it has to be at the right moment.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[ja17]

Hello James,

You need fuel, spark on time and compression to start and run.  Cees is on the right track, check for spark next. Remove the center distributor wire and hold it close to the engine, while someone is cranking and see if you have spark.  If so remove the spark plugs and "read" them.

Next we will need to find out if the spark is on time and if you have compression.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[jameshoward]

Had spark and fuel, but it seems that compression was the problem. The only way around it was to tow the car behind another vehicle and bump start it. We managed to do this after a few nervous tows. We have run it quite a lot today. The compression was pretty bad. Tomorrow we're going to put a little valve cleaner directly into the pots (via the air intake) and then re-test compression to see if carbon is the problem.

Anyway, had the car out today and did about 30 miles. Rock solid at 80mph and all bearings running well after the job.

Hopefully it will start on it's own tomorrow.

JH