S-Class (W126) 1979-1991: 300 SE, 300 SEL, 380 SE, 380 SEL, 420 SEL, 500 SEL, 560 SEL, 360 SEC, 500 SEC, 580 SEC, 300 SD TURBODIESEL, 300 SDL TURBO, 350 SD TURBO, 350 SDL TURBO

please help with my sec problems... any ideas?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2007 | 09:56 PM
  #1  
jonnyoutram's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
merc 126 500 sec 1984
please help with my sec problems... any ideas?

hi, im nwe to this game... just bought a 1984 500 sec, had many many problems most have been fixed for example the notorious high idle problem!!


my last main problem is a miss fire!

the whole ignition system is new...

plugs
leads
distributer rotor arm
idle controll unit.....

then

fuel filter
oil
air
cleaning of k jet fuelling system

this was all done by a mechanc friend of mine and has solved allot but there is still an obvious problem


we think its either the injectors or the k jet fuelling system

i have spent £2000 so far restoring the car and need to be carefull with money now..

the symptoms are:

lumpy idle

lumpy pulling away

clears up just below 2000 rpm on acceleration

trouble starting needs gas pedal(does this suggest leaking injectors??)

what should i do any ideas??

thanks everyone
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2007 | 10:59 PM
  #2  
Yacht Master's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 13
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Vacuum leak, the injectors sit in a plastic cups and over time they get brittle and crack and allow a vacuum leak. The same is true of all the hoses you need to check everything. I would suggest that you take a pic if the engine and hose locations before you start to sort it out. Your mechanic should know how to find a vacuum leak with WD40 spray, this is an easy way to find leaks on the manifold and injector cups, inspect the idle circuit hoses for cracks and poor fit on connectors. The 126 SEC is one of the best cars ever built.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2007 | 07:57 AM
  #3  
Untertürkheim's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
Trouble starting can be the fuel pressure regulator valve (I believe that is what it is called), also may be called the check valve. Basically, on the fuel pump, a one-way valve that is supposed to maintain fuel pressure in the system when the car is shut off. If this valve or the fuel pump is going bad, pressure will leak out of the system and the car will be hard to start when it has beeen sitting.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2007 | 09:34 AM
  #4  
jonnyoutram's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
merc 126 500 sec 1984
but i have already had the vacuum system checked

a leak was found and repaired vacume system pressure fine now, the problem was still there. i have not taken any of the injectors out yet.. do you think its worth taking them out and checking the plastic cup??

how can i test that fuel pressure regulator valve??

thanks
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2007 | 11:42 AM
  #5  
Untertürkheim's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by jonnyoutram

how can i test that fuel pressure regulator valve??

thanks
First, does the hard starting become more or less apparent depending on how long the car has sat since being shut off? If it gets worse with time, then this may be the culprit.

One way of course is to hook up a fuel pressure gague and watch the reading while the car is running, then watch the pressure when the car is shut off and see if it continues to drop over time.

The other, non-scientific way to test it would be to basically prime the fuel lines before trying to start the car and see if anything is better or worse. To do this, turn the key from off to position 2 (run) for 3-5 seconds, repeat 20 times or so before actually trying to start the car. Since the fuel pumps run for a couple seconds in position 2 before the car is started, doing this enough should build up enough fuel pressure to tell you if it is an issue.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2007 | 09:01 PM
  #6  
jonnyoutram's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
merc 126 500 sec 1984
Originally Posted by Untertürkheim
First, does the hard starting become more or less apparent depending on how long the car has sat since being shut off? If it gets worse with time, then this may be the culprit.

One way of course is to hook up a fuel pressure gague and watch the reading while the car is running, then watch the pressure when the car is shut off and see if it continues to drop over time.

The other, non-scientific way to test it would be to basically prime the fuel lines before trying to start the car and see if anything is better or worse. To do this, turn the key from off to position 2 (run) for 3-5 seconds, repeat 20 times or so before actually trying to start the car. Since the fuel pumps run for a couple seconds in position 2 before the car is started, doing this enough should build up enough fuel pressure to tell you if it is an issue.

yes the car starts much better when it has been running and the longer u leave it, the worse it gets...

i tried your method of the 20 times priming thing, it didnt seem to make a differeance.. i dont have a fuel pressure gague.

someone suggested that the lumpy idle and bad starting would be because the injectors are broken and leaking fuel into the cylinders when the car is left, therefore fludding the engine before u even try to start the car...

does this sound like it could be true?

do u still think it could be this fuel pressure regulator? should i try to get hold of a pressure tester??


thanks so much for the advice!!!
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2007 | 09:06 PM
  #7  
jonnyoutram's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
merc 126 500 sec 1984
Originally Posted by Yacht Master
Vacuum leak, the injectors sit in a plastic cups and over time they get brittle and crack and allow a vacuum leak. The same is true of all the hoses you need to check everything. I would suggest that you take a pic if the engine and hose locations before you start to sort it out. Your mechanic should know how to find a vacuum leak with WD40 spray, this is an easy way to find leaks on the manifold and injector cups, inspect the idle circuit hoses for cracks and poor fit on connectors. The 126 SEC is one of the best cars ever built.
is it easy to check the injectors?

is there any way i can check if they are the problem before taking them out??

i have been told it could also be the k-jetronic system thing that sits on top of the throttle body, i noticed someone was saying on another thread that they had to change a valve thing in it to sort a similar problem...

wondering what to do first, should i just take the injectors out and have a look??

what are the signs of them being broken?? or these plastic caps being broken,.. is it obvious?

sorry for being so confusing and difficult.

thank you so much for the advice
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:30 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE