BENZ AID - COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1977 280E Firing Miss/Fast Idle When Hot

My 1977 280E seems to have a miss in it when it's hot. It's got new gas, new plugs and plug wires. Has Electronic Ignition. Fires up pretty easily but idles fast until it's put into gear, emmits a lot of smelly smoke (white/grey). Engine seems to stumble more when it's accelerated. Car sat for a 2 years before I got it. Could this be something with the vacuum system? Is there something that controls the idle speed as engine warms up and the engine timing that might have a leak or rotted off?

Chassis Model Number

W123

Forums

Gas Engine Specific Aid

1983 300SD brake light-cruise control interface

The plate that holds the tail light bulb sockets has one empty hole which lines up with a red lens cover on the tail light lens. I want to add a brake light socket and bulb in that opening to increase brake visability, which is not the brightest on the older MB. But, I read somewhere that if you do not use the proper brakelight bulbs, it will mess up the cruise control, and if I add two bulbs, will it mess it up.

Chassis Model Number

W126

Forums

Body and Interior Specific Aid

1984 300D Blower starting earlier

Hi all and happy holidays. My car runs great and is easy on the eyes too, but something has changed recently. When I left my climate control unit set on auto and the temperature wheel on heat (in the red) the blower would not switch on until the engine and coolant were warm, thus blowing warm air. Presently for some reason the blower fan comes on shortly (10 seconds) after start-up and consequently blows cold air until the engine and coolant warm. CCU? Water temperature sender? If so which one? Any takers on this one.
Mike G.

Chassis Model Number

W123

Forums

Diesel Engine Specific Aid

'83 300SD Oil pressure - slow and low

I have an '83 300SD and when starting cold, it takes some time (5-10 seconds) to make oil pressure. I recently changed oil weight as winter is upon us. I'm using 5w40 now, and at a warm idle it makes just a little over 2 bars. I assume the gauge is measuring bars. When I was using 15w40 it made slightly under 3 bars when warm. The gauge is completely pegged when this engine has any throttle. According to the Mercedes manual this weight oil is appropriate for the temperature range in my area. It is ranging from about -5 at night to high 20's in the day.

Chassis Model Number

W126

Forums

Diesel Engine Specific Aid

1984 300D No smoke!

Hi all and happy holidays. I have read all the posts concerning my make and model and have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge through this great resource. One thing that puzzles me is all the remarks about exhaust smoke. I don't know if I am just lucky but my 300D never spews any smoke upon start-up or running. The only time I can see anything remotely resembling smoke is when I really get on it at night and look at the headlights of the guy behind me. It is just about invisible during the day.

Chassis Model Number

W123

Forums

Diesel Engine Specific Aid

1977 280E Automatic Transmission doesn't lock in park ??

My automatic transmission in my 1977 280E does not lock when placed into park. When the car rolls with it in park it makes a clicking sound. I think there is a part on a transmission called a parking "pawl" and I think it jambs into something that acts as the lock. Don't know how it works on this car but I'm guessing that it must not be fully engaging and is the reason for the "clicking" noise if it's partially engaged. Please let me know if there is an easy fix for this. Thanks.

Chassis Model Number

W123

Forums

Transmission / Suspension Specific Aid

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