300 TE starting problems

[donteus]

Hi All

firstly, be gentle

got a W124- 300 TE, 1989 at home, drove it for a year myself, but was then given a company car, so it has sat for 2 months, but have now persuaded the wife that it is a top car, and she has agreed to use it.

so, went to show her it, and have a drive, and it won't start!!!!!!!!

had an intermittent problem over the last 6 months or so, that if the car was left unused for a long weekend, it was very reluctant to start, lots of chuffing, trying to fire etc, then it would come back to life. also stopped in the town centre once, got it started (runs great over 2000RPM) but as soon as I put it in gear, it would cough, splutter, then die.(auto box)

got all the gear to do the full service (weather permitting) but what else do I need to look at? is this common?

BTW can hear the fuel pump on start up for about 2 seconds, and fuel seems to be getting to the engine as when it does start, I get a massive cloud of exhaust smoke coming out the back.
cheers for the help

 

[Brian WH]

Hi All

firstly, be gentle

got a W124- 300 TE, 1989 at home, drove it for a year myself, but was then given a company car, so it has sat for 2 months, but have now persuaded the wife that it is a top car, and she has agreed to use it.

so, went to show her it, and have a drive, and it won't start!!!!!!!!

had an intermittent problem over the last 6 months or so, that if the car was left unused for a long weekend, it was very reluctant to start, lots of chuffing, trying to fire etc, then it would come back to life. also stopped in the town centre once, got it started (runs great over 2000RPM) but as soon as I put it in gear, it would cough, splutter, then die.(auto box)

got all the gear to do the full service (weather permitting) but what else do I need to look at? is this common?

BTW can hear the fuel pump on start up for about 2 seconds, and fuel seems to be getting to the engine as when it does start, I get a massive cloud of exhaust smoke coming out the back.
cheers for the help

Firstly what is the service history, has it had any prior to your ownership. It certainly sounds as if it needs one.

With it standing for two months it may be suffering from damp in the plug leads and distributor area. A good clean of the leads and spray with WD 40 or dampstart will help. Also the plugs may need changing. Check the air filter for damp also and general condition. Do this before the service to eliminate the poor starting problem.

If it was running OK before the lay-up everything else should be OK after the service.

 

[lookskyward1]

I've had similar problems with my 300te. The last time I serviced the car was January this year, when apart from the normal parts changed, I changed the fuel filter, plug leads, distributor cap and rotor arm.

The last time was after a two week holiday, it started and drove OK until after about one mile I stopped at traffic lights and it just cut out and would not idle, if I got it started it would run on the throttle but not idle.

I pulled, cleaned and reset the plugs and put in some fuel system cleaner to no avail. I even tried jump starting her even though the battery appeared OK.

In the end I towed the car home and recharged the battery overnight. The next day after re-fitting the battery she started no problems, I left the car to warm up at idle and once warm topped up the fuel tank. Since then I've had no problems......... :bannana:

All I can think of is there may have been a bit of water in the fuel???

I'm going to give the car another service shortly so hopefully I will not have the problem again. Next time I leave the car for a while, I'll remove and charge the battery up??

Good luck