suntubi

I have a troubleshooting question on my 420. After bringing it out on the road after laying it up for the winter, I started the car and idled it for 20 minutes in my driveway. All systems OK. Then after 2 miles into a test drive, the car sputters and within 100 yards simply cuts out. I could start the car but it would not stay running for more than 1 second or so. The car has fresh gasoline and a new fuel filter installed before the test drive.

Any ideas on what is going on here?

Jer

After having left it idle for months during the winter, water vapor could have formed inside the fuel tank and made its way into the injection system. Try some "dry gas."

yaloha

suntubi, tell me how you made out with your benz, i have the same problem and will try to take care of the water in the tank as well, i didn't suspect that the water could do that to my 600sel

suntubi

Thanks for the note on dry gas. I'll give it a try. The fresh gasoline I put into the car was an alcohol blend (ethanol ). I thought that might have helped with the water in injectors.

Are there any purge points up in the engine compartment?

Would the quick cut out be an indicator that both fuel pumps failed?

Jer

If both fuel pumps failed the engine would not be able to start at all. If you can get the engine to run for a few minutes (like you said), then one of the pumps must be functional.

suntubi

After replenishing the fuel and using some dry gas, still no luck in firing the car up. Anyone have any suggestions on next steps ( besides towing to a mechanic)?

Jer

Check the distributor cap and rotor for corrosion and worn contacts.

yaloha

my mercedes had the same problem,i had to replace air flow meter, catalityc converters were pluged, and the air flow meter conectors had cracked isolation on the wires, check the harness,

Dan 380sel

What sort of cost does all this cost roughly and will this sort out this problem

suntubi

Cost? Rotor about $37. Cap $125 or so, wires could go $80 - $100, Catalytic converter $ stratosphere, flowmeter ???,

But what's money when you drive a classic?