waybomb

1997 C280 sport, 148,000 miles, owned since day one.

Been on vacation for a week. The car has sat in it's place from last Thursday, 23DEC. Wednesday this week, I started it up, moved it over one parking spot (had granite delivered and wanted to make plenty of room), and turned it off. Tonight, I went to start it up. It started, but idled real slow for a few seconds and died. Then no start, as in an older carbureted flooded carb. Kinda sputtering.

We've had some odd weather in the last week. Snow, hard rain, 10f, 50f, sunny, etc. Can't believe weather had anything to do with this - this car has been all over the country, in all types of weather.

So, I first check all the fuses - all ok. I couldn't tell if the fuel pump ran on this car; never could - it has always been unusually quiet, plus, it was very windy tonight.

Then I got some starter fluid, sprayed it in the grill intake. Kindas started, but not really.

Pulled the MAF connector off. Nothing. Reconnected

Disconnected MAF housing from intake. Sprayed starter fluid in the MAF off to the side, not on the sensor directly. Nothing Put it back together.

Unscrewed gas cap. Had a "whoosh". Started engine up after a few cranks. Ran like it had been flooded, and cleared itself very quickly.

No CEL, and runs as if nothing was wrong.

Any ideas? I'll be taking it to the local Indy for a scan.

Thanks for any ideas.

ps - posted in w202 section as well

rmfnla

"Unscrewed gas cap. Had a "whoosh". Started engine up after a few cranks. Ran like it had been flooded, and cleared itself very quickly."

Sounds like the gas tank vent is clogged.

Ice?

Gunk?

waybomb

Threw no codes. Battery fine. Been starting and running fine since this event. Who knows!?

rmfnla

Maybe the release of vaccuum cleared the clog?

Glad it's working now!

waybomb

Ya, me too. Starting and driving fine.