LatitudeDancer

Helping a friend with a 380 SL that won't start. Had a friend with one of the Euro 500 SLs and remembered the weird Mercedes intake that is similar. Instead of a 'normal' butterfly valve in the throttle body throat/intake, these cars have the 'floating' valve that, from the outside, seems to magically just float up/down to allow air past.

I remember the one on the 500 SL was lightly sprung shut, so if the engine was off and you pushed it open with your finger, it would return shut. The valve on this 380 SL will stay open if you push it open. If you get a grip on it with your finger, you can return it to any position and it will stay there. Attached is a picture of it chilling open. It's supposed to return shut and is therefore broke somehow, correct?

Spray starter fluid in there and it'll run a few seconds burning off the fluid, then stalls.

roadster Kev

Whoa dude ... your buddy's got a dirty intake ... that dirty air filter is telling me she needs some tlc.
Yes that valve closes by itself on my 380 ... I think it IS majic .
If I open it when it is running it stalls... maybe your buddys is just dirty.
Don't use quick start on it anymore (it dries up the engine)
Use 2 stroke gas in a spray bottle instead and close the throttle body before you crank her over.