Problems starting my SL R107

[Leedham69]

Hi guys, I am having trouble starting my 1982 280 sl. I haven't started the car for a couple of months. Tried to start last weekend but the battery was flat so put it on charge, but it wouldn't charge, so I bought a new and replaced it. But the car would still not start, the engine is turning over but not firing. I checked the spark plugs cleaned them they seemed ok. I replaced the ignition coil after speaking to a friend. But the car still wil not start. The lgnition leads look ok.
There is half a tank fuel. Has anybody had similar problems?

Thanks

Marc

 

[Stratman]

Remove a spark plug after you've had another go at starting it.

Does it smell of petrol? Is it wet? If it is, what is wetting it? Petrol or water? Check what's in the fuel filter.

Leave the plug out with the metal part wedged against an earthed part of the engine. get someone to crank it and see if there is a spark. If you don't fancy that buy a spark checker from Halfords and use that.

The engine needs fuel and a spark to run. You need to find which is missing.

 

[Leedham69]

Thanks Stratman. I can smell petrol and the spark plugs were wet. I cleaned them with a wire brush. I will take a plug out and turn it over at the weekend and check the fuel filter.

Thanks again

Marc

 

[Stratman]

One of these might be a bit safer

 

[Stratman]

Something blindingly obvious has occurred to me, somethings which are almost service items on older MB engines, the distributor cap and rotor arm.

If there's a poor or no spark, change 'em.

 

[Druk]

The coil is specific on this engine and is fed through a ballet resistance. Are both working/correct items?

 

[Leedham69]

Thanks for all your surggustions guys.

 

[Leedham69]

Hi guys changed the rotor arm and distributor cap. Still will not start. The spark plug colour is yellow when fireing up. I am running out of ideas...

 

[Druk]

The coil is specific on this engine and is fed through a ballet resistance. Are both working/correct items?

Should read ballast resistance. You're absolutely sure you have the correct coil? Any old coil just wont do on these engines.

 

[guydewdney]

yellow spark isnt right