Gents - After rebuilding my 230SL engine it actually started first time (after lots of starter cranking and encouraging fuel to the pistons by cracking the injector pipes etc). I was overjoyed until I realised I cant get it to run anything like smoothly. Reckon Ive spent 4 full days chasing this and Ive learnt loads about the car.. ;o) .. but havent sorted the problem yet.
The symptoms :
- White smoke from exhaust on tickover then more on rev increase
- Plugs fowl up quickly with unburnt fuel
- Cant adjust air or fuel controls to compensate for rough idling
- Ignition timing adjustment make no difference
Note,
- CSV not leaking - checked by looking thro the air venturi with fuel being pumped
- WRD seems fine - I used the stethescope approach and the air valve seems to shut down ok
Ive read heaps of excellent threads which have been real useful to get me to where I am now. My suspicion is the camshaft timing.. on investigation it was about 8 deg behind the crank TDC. Ive improved it to around 4 deg after the crank now by using an offest key (and aim to order more offset keys on Monday to get to 0 deg). However, the bad news is its still running like a dog
(. Is the cam timing that critical - would 4 deg have the effect I am seeing...? Or any other suggestions that I need to check out..?
My other half thinks Ive moving into the garage (not a bad idea cos theres a beer fridge here).
Cheers