Tent Find in Colorado - 230SL #1930

[Eurosport Classic Motors]

Uncovered in a tent, deep in the Colorado countryside, 45 minutes off of paved roads.  It took dirt/gravel roads to get here.  This 230SL #001930 sat since 1992 with a supposed 1,000 kilometers since a complete motor rebuild.  Speedo/odometer reads in kilometers.  Same owner since 1979.  Full set of photos shown on Facebook Group “Mercedes-Benz SL (W113) Pagoda”

This is my first Pagoda and have been waiting forever to get one.  Any advice on what to do next & where to start is greatly appreciated.  Just arrived to its new home in Allentown, Pennsylvania last night.  Most exciting car purchase.  I’m happy to be part of this group.  Thank you for accepting my request to join.

[JamesL]

Welcome
What a find!

There’s various threads on here answering your question in detail as others have brought their cars back to life from hibernation but essentially
Drain and flush the fuel system, change all the filters
Drain the oil, change the filter
Drain the radiator/engine, flush
Plugs…
Then you can think about firing it up

Then you’re onto brakes, tyres and the like before you can drive it

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Michaeal, great advice from James. I would also drop the gas tank and have it cleaned tip top. Then I would remove the top engine cover and have a very close look at the piston and valve area’s.  Having the battery checked and or changed and checking the spark plug conditions is a given.

Considering the time the car has been stored and not knowing if any long term storage preparation has been made for this tent storage I would include those steps.

Good Luck,*

Dieter

[Shvegel]

The first time you put a battery in and turn the key listen for the whine of the electric fuel pump if it isn't whining it is burning up.  They are very expensive.  At least one of the pistons in the injection pump is almost certainly stuck.  this means the rack that controls fuel is also stuck.  I have what I think is a preet good system to get it unstuck.  PM me if that is the case.

[Bonnyboy]

After you drain the oils and put new oil in take the valve cover off - remove plugs - put some oil in the cylinders and use a breaker bar to turn the engine by hand (big nut at front of engine) - pour oil over all the valves and as you turn the engine by hand make sure the valves are all moving like they should

I also loosened the fittings at the end of the fuel injection lines just a little so when I cranked it over with a new battery I could see if fuel was coming out of each line.   

Once the fuel tank is clean with fresh fuel, measure the flow of fuel going back into the fuel tank (check the archives for the proper volume) - the very last hose  before tank - then you can see if you are getting the proper / volume of fuel going through the system.  Expect you will need a new fuel pump - sometimes AdsitCo  has them on sale.

[Eurosport Classic Motors]

Thank you all very much for your advice trying to help me.