Emergency help for fuel? issue on trip today

[H. Keith Henry]

I am on what is evolving into a shakedown cruise in my newly-purchased 1970 Pagoda. It performed well from SE Virginia to Iowa, but has developed a miss on the way back. A classic Mercedes mechanic in Des Moines thought it might be bad gas, but two tanks later the miss is still there. I am in Indianapolis today. Any advice for where to turn for help?

[Peter van Es]

Join our Emergency Contact List (https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Main/EmergencyContactList) and download the list immediately afterwards...

[H. Keith Henry]

Thanks Peter. There are no club members on the list from Indiana.

[ja17]

Check the ignition points and the spark plugs. Sounds like the points may be closing.

[H. Keith Henry]

Thanks! What this trip is telling me is that I need to learn how to perform basic maintenance on the car.

[RAY]

Check the plugs general condition, do you know if they are new, and the same with the points.
The plugs should be a light brown/grey in colour idealy but also not crusty, cacked up or oily. Yes check the gaps if you have some feeler gauges.
Could also be an HT lead that has suddenly 'broken down',  check to see if each plug is sparking.
What a pain after it was running so well.

[Jonny B]

As Ray types - for the plugs you are looking at color and condition (clean, dirty, white, oily) For a sign that something is different than the others.
There should be a spark plug wrench in the tool kit.

Be careful when screwing the plugs back into the head. The head is aluminum. Don't try to start them using the wrench. You should be able to use your fingertips to put the plugs in, they should screw in relatively easily, do not force them.

I tried the search function using "spark plug condition" (without the quote marks)

This was the second hit, but there were a number more.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=34844.msg255102#msg255102

[mbpaul]

There is Indianapolis 500 section of the Mercedes Benz Club of America.  Roger Brummett is listed as the contact there.  317-721-2784  roger@metroevelvator.com

[mdsalemi]

Thanks Peter. There are no club members on the list from Indiana.

Just because people have not joined the list doesn't mean they won't offer some kind of assistance. Many people just don't bother to react to emails, requests, etc.

We have nine members in Indiana. Five are full members, four are associate. One of the full members, Wen Gagne, is in Indianapolis. Look him up on our member list and try to reach out, maybe he has a local mechanic who can help.

Also, check here: https://www.benzshops.com/near/indianapolis-in

[Kevkeller]

Try pulling off one spark plug wire off at a time and see if the missing is confined to one cylinder only. If it is maybe it’s not the points.

[Cees Klumper]

It's in general a good idea to learn some basic diagnostics and mechanical work on these, or any for that matter, cars.
Another advice I would offer, too late in your specific case, is to avoid shakedown cruises that take you far from home. Me, I take new-to-me-cars that are old and/or suspicious in terms of reliability around the block first a couple times (so I can walk home if necessary. I have had to on occasion), then if that goes well in wider circles but still within a mile or two, and gradually increase the risk.

Neither of these things can guarantee you won't get stranded someplace, but they help to reduce that risk. Now, but only after quite a few years of shade-tree experience, I can say that it's been more than 10 years since I've had to have any car serviced or repaired by a professional garage.

[H. Keith Henry]

Thanks all. I will try contacting local club members. I should have said, in the first place, that the plugs and one plug wire, were replaced only last week after I first experienced the car "missing." The DSM-area mechanic tentatively concluded that it was a case of bad gas, but after two more tanks the symptom persists. Quite possibly sludge in the tank and/or fuel filter which will probably need to wait till I get home, assuming I get home without a problem.

[ja17]

If your coming through Columbus Ohio on I-70, you'll pass close to Blacklick, Ohio  and I probably can take a look at it for you.

[H. Keith Henry]

Thanks Joe. An offer I can't refuse. I will alter my route to go through Columbus/Blacklick. My present plan, assuming the car is running well enough to resume the trip, is to leave Indy early on Monday, the 30th, which is Memorial Day. If that is not convenient, I can leave a day or two earlier.

[ja17]

Call me 614 312 2865

[ChrisInNashville]

I’m sorry I’m just seeing this. If you can get 45 miles south to Bloomington, Jorn Kallum.  Quality Import Service. 

[Benz Dr.]

I do a 555 until I'm satisfied that everything is working. 5 miles, 50 miles, and then 500 miles on fresh rebuilds. 5 mile trips can be several times until I have all of the tuning done.

The object here is to simulate all driving conditions. Short trips, cold starts, hot starts, longer one hour trips, high speed interstate driving, around town, stop and go driving, night time driving, and if I can, driving in the rain at night. If I can't find any problems during all of that driving, I call it ready to go.

[zoegrlh]

Keith, I know you are worried, it is the person you are. Also a miss in the engine is 99% plug miss. What ever you do, please take to Joe. He is the man. Remember I told you when I visited you when you received your SL that he was the authority. He will have your car running as smooth as ever. Have a safe trip and let me know when you get back, we’ll do lunch.
Bob

[dpreston Virginia]

As a general rule carry an extra set of plugs maybe two. All my misses have been due to fouled plugs, most likely for me too much idling when starting up. Start the car and go don't let it sit and warm up.

[H. Keith Henry]

Thanks again, everyone. I meant to provide an update before now. I had a highly successful trouble-shooting session with Joe Alexander, Saturday morning, May 28. Joe quickly diagnosed my remaining miss as burned points and, of course, he had them in stock! After that, and other fine-tuning at Joe's, the car ran exceedingly well all the way from Joe's garage in Columbus to my home in SE Virginia late that same evening. I had a smile on my face the whole way!