Anyone know Mercedes 190E?

rnln · 05-04-2009, 01:06 AM

My sister has a 1993 190E. I chose it for her years ago when she gratuate. It's kind of a memory car for both of us.
around 2 years ago, she bought a new car and left this car sat since then. Last weekends, I went to help clean it up to sell it for her and found a problem. After jumped the battery, it started right away and idle a little low, around 700rpm, then it came down to 500rpm (in several seconds) and stalled. Restart again, same thing.
Today, I went to see if I can fix it. After cleaning up the cap, rotor, spark plugs, ect, no help. It started right up and idle nice for several seconds, and stalled. If I keep my foot on the gas, or tab it when the rpm comes down, it won't stall. I leave the pedal alone, rpm will come down to 500rpm and stall.
I even open open up the air box lit and let it idle, same problem. Then I tried to tab the gas pedal and shift, it stalled too. When I kept my feet on the gas pedal to have the rppm above 1000 while shiping, sometimes it will stay on but it shake hard when I shift, sometimes it stalled too.
Anyone know what the problem is?
Thanks in advance.

onewhippedpuppy · 05-04-2009, 07:11 AM

Plugged up fuel filter?

If you don't find an answer here, mercedesshop is a great MB resource.

speeder · 05-04-2009, 09:12 AM

I typed a longer response and it got lost but if you are in L.A., PM me and I'd be happy to come over and help you with a proper diagnosis.

Dueller · 05-04-2009, 09:56 AM

Old gas? Gummed injectors?

rnln · 05-04-2009, 10:01 AM

onewhippedpupp,
just did. Hopefully I can get some responses there.
Thanks.

Speeder,
I will try the fuel filter and will contact you if it doesn't help.
Thanks.

Jim,
so a can of b-12 in the gas tank would work? Or do I need to drain tha gas tank?

fingpilot · 05-04-2009, 10:01 AM

Same Bosch FI as we have. Look for vacuum leak in an old cracked rubber line, or even leaking gasket in oil fill cap. Or any of the above. Gas shelf life is 60 to 90 days now. The look and smell of old gas will scare you.

biosurfer1 · 05-04-2009, 10:07 AM

Before this problem, how are the 190E's in general? I've been throwing around the idea of getting one for around town driving.

Dueller · 05-04-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnln

onewhippedpupp,
just did. Hopefully I can get some responses there.
Thanks.

Speeder,
I will try the fuel filter and will contact you if it doesn't help.
Thanks.

Jim,
so a can of b-12 in the gas tank would work? Or do I need to drain tha gas tank?

How long has the gas set in there?....according to Tim Hancock modern gas gums up in fairly short order. Does the gas smell like old paint? If so drain it and put fresh gas in...maybe a does of Techron or something similar with fresh gas. When I resurrected my old BMW after it sat for 2 years I drained the gas, put in fresh gas gas with something a mechanic recommended (B44?) and the thing started off running rough but within 5 miles was purring like new.

+1 on the fuel filter

onewhippedpuppy · 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

Before this problem, how are the 190E's in general? I've been throwing around the idea of getting one for around town driving.

Supposedly a well-maintained 190E can be a pretty reliable car. The build quality is impressive, even though it was the MB base model. If you can find one, the 190E 2.3-16V is a smoking deal. You can find nice drivers for around $6k, they're basically a 4-door E30 M3 (for $15k less). Plus, unlike most MB products, you can find one with a stick.

rnln, the other question would be, how did the car run before she parked it two years ago? If it ran well then but runs like crap now, I think the suggestions here are pointing you down the right track. You should also consider changing the other fluids as well, before you have additional issues. Sitting is doesn't do a car any favors.

fingpilot · 05-04-2009, 11:14 AM

I'll second the general impression of the 190E's. I have had two of them, both went to 200K before anything major.

Two words..... Oil change, oil change, oil change. Every 3K miles, less if a lot of idling. Dino oil.

The '89 had fewer computers to glitch. The '91 had issues with windows, particularly the window buttons and regulators.

Both were my Las Vegas-LA comuters.

speeder · 05-04-2009, 11:48 AM

How long sitting? I personally think your wasting your time or chasing your tail changing parts before you know wtf is going on. The first thing to check, ALWAYS, is whether the charging system is kicking down 13.2 volts. If it's not, (and you don't know it), you can play internet pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey for 5 cents a guess for the next week. "Changed this, changed that, still won't idle. Anyone else wanna guess?"

Don't mean to be an ***hole, this just always drives me nuts on the web. The time to seek expert advice is after you've done (or had done) a proper 15 minute diagnosis.

rnln · 05-04-2009, 12:57 PM

biosurfer1,
kind of reliable. DD is ok but might not be for you and me unless you want to stick in there a v8. AC is similar to an older 911's AC. It is definitely under power but if for around town lick grocery shopping, then it's comfortable and still small. Built quality is very nice. I like it, but different prupose compare to a 911.

Matt,
$6k? I am not sure if this one is a 16v or what but I think I am happy to see it goes for $2k and I don't have to be under it again.

.
Before this, the car was my sister's DD back and forth several miles day. It was nowhere near my 911 regarding performance but it's consider running well.

fingpilot,
yes, power windows' switches. Motor is always good but the switches are bad in most of german cars, that generation. My old BMW had the same issue. but all it takes was taking it apart and clean it.

Speeder,
Thanks.

What I will do is checking charging system, drain gas, replace fuel filter. Let's see how it goes.

Thanks all.

onewhippedpuppy · 05-04-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnln

Matt,
$6k? I am not sure if this one is a 16v or what but I think I am happy to see it goes for $2k and I don't have to be under it again.

.
Before this, the car was my sister's DD back and forth several miles day. It was nowhere near my 911 regarding performance but it's consider running well.

If it's a 16V and you're selling for $2k, consider it sold!

I doubt if it's a 2.3-16V, they're pretty scarce. It's basically a 190E with a Cosworth engine, made to compete against the E30 M3 in DTM. They're pretty sweet cars.

fingpilot · 05-04-2009, 01:50 PM

I did forget to mention that both of mine were the 6-cylinder. The 4-banger was atrocious on power and vibration.

legion · 05-04-2009, 01:55 PM

Don't forget to add the idle-stabilizer valve to your list of things to check.

rnln · 05-04-2009, 07:35 PM

Matt,
Oh I know what you were talking about. I know that 16v model. I have seen several of them around. No, mine is not

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

My buddy at work has a 190 (4-banger) which exhibits the same symptoms on startup. I can find out from him if he's found the trouble-spot, but IIRC, most 190 2.3 4cyl cars have this issue with a too low an idle.

However, if you find a solution, I am sure that he'll love to know what the problem was...

-Z-man.

rnln · 05-04-2009, 09:30 PM

z-man,
If you can ask him, that'll be great. If I can fix it, I will post here.
Again, thanks guys.

rnln · 05-05-2009, 09:06 PM

Alright guys, $500. Do you guys think I can sell it as is?

speeder · 05-05-2009, 09:24 PM

Sent you a PM, where are you located?