merc190e23_16

Hi all, my father has been the owner of a 1986 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16V (Cosworth). I'm excited (probably the most thankful High School senior around here) to be receiving this as my first car this summer as a graduation gift. It has mostly been garaged, with the last service in 2007. So it has many brand new parts, including tires. That being said, we have only started it up and cruised around the neighborhood every 2-3 months to circulate oil and fuel, and to prevent the tires from getting flat spots (it's not registered and has no plates since we've been storing it).

Before getting this car license plates and tuned-up, I just want to ask what major effects old fuel has on a stored car. The strange thing about it is that since the last fill-up in 2009, we have never used fuel stabilizer (my dad fears it will damage the fuel system if left for a long time) and yet it starts up quite smoothly and idles perfectly even at the last start-up yesterday (April 2012) . My dad has also been reluctant to drain old fuel and fill up the fuel tank with premium costing nearly $4.50 per gallon.

And lastly, where can we find a hood insulation pad? This car still has its original one and it is beginning to disintegrate

hmarmaizmd717

If I were you, I would drain the tank, and give it new fuel with an
injector cleaner. Also verify the oil viscosity, color, etc. check the
transmission oil also. You'll like it a lot.

hmarmaizmd

POS

I'd want to drain the tank then fill it up with high octane stuff and drive for an two hour highway cruise. The best hood pads come fom Mercedes, and they don't cost too much. There is a best procedure for getting it on though. Do a search here or on BenzWorld.

merc190e23_16

@POS Premium 93 octane fuel is quite expensive, around $4.30 here in Northern Virginia.

I know I said a lot but my main question is what exactly does old fuel do to the fuel delivery system or the engine of a car? I heard bad things about it, but for some reason our Benz starts up and idles fine on two-year old fuel (only thing is, I'm scared to rev it beyond 4,000 RPM). Maybe the fuel tank hasn't been venting off fuel vapor? I will post a video later on if you guys want proof.

Turnpike

be warned that 16v are the most expensive cars to fix for this time frame...several parts are unique to the car and not easily to be found/had. that being said for what it's worth depending on the condition i'd put historic tags on it...especially if your only going ot be driving it around on the weekends

hood pads can be found on ebay for about $50...

since it's been in storage i'd advise draining and flushing ALL FLUIDS, oil, gas, brake, rear diff, radiator, even the window washer fluids... circulation is one thing for storage, but to start driving it around for long drives is another...don't risk having to replace items just because your too "lazy" (not that you are) to do proper maintenance

i'd also suggest joining us on benzworld.org and 190.rev...there are alot more 16v members on those forums than here..

Spencerm.

Hood pad: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/198.../hood_pad.html

merc190e23_16

Thanks so much Spencerm!

merc190e23_16

I'll join sometime in the future. I gotta get the hood pad taken care of once I get out of school. Thanks anyways

POS

Bad fuel gets gummy and clogs up injectors and injection pumps. Pumps ain't cheap! Get some good fuel on it, put a quart of ATF in the tank and run it on the highway for a while. That'll help clean out the lines

wblynch

Don't crash the damned thing !

merc190e23_16

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks though; I'll take it to a garage to change out the fuel and stuff; the fuel pump and injectors are brand new ones installed in last service, and we put less than 8 miles on it from the occasional neighborhood cruises. I wonder how old fuel hasn't caused this engine to knock and stuff like that; it does idle roughly sometimes but still idles at around 800 RPM so pretty much normal .