Hey guys,

I've just revived my 81 380SLC from the dead after a timing chain incident a few years ago. The car has not ran for a couple years until this week. Here is my newest problem, the mixture was set extremely rich (there is a reason for this I would not like to discuss - I'm an idiot) anyhow, I've leaned out the mixture and it is running much better. How can I tell where the mixture should be set? Do I need to adjust the ignition timing as a result of the mixture change?

The other problem: the engine idles around 1200 whether cold or hot. But when I put the car into a gear (either d or r) the engine goes low and dies immediately. Any ideas? Before the engine rebuild and two year hiatus the transy always went into gear roughly but the engine never died. The kick into gear is rougher now, but it is getting better the more I drive the car.

 

can please provide the VIN or engine type/number?

 

Hey sleepwalker, thanks for the response.

The Vin is WDBBA25A6BB003025

I have another question while I have your attention:
There is an increasing amount of gasoline in the oil. Even though I've leaned out the mixture, when the car first starts after sitting a while there is black smoke. My question is, what happens to the fuel in the injector lines when the engine stops running? Could it be possible the injectors are dumping the gas into the combustion chambers? I read in the manual the injectors are supposed to close and the fuel pressure drops in order to let them. Am I looking at injectors stuck open or a fuel pressure problem? The engine is firing on all eight cylinders while the car is running.

Thanks for your help
Nick

 

i am sorry but my experience is not so much on your engine. if it is in front of me, i can easily find the problem...but via posting, too difficult.

i think the governor (warmup regulator) is the part that you need to test more.

the injector can leak too after some time. just locate the leaky one.

 

Had same issue with my 1984 380SL, check fuel pump regulator (damper) under air cleaner. Line may be off or just need replace. Change oil ASAP!!!!

 

Not much help here...I have a 1986 420SEL thats running rich also ( 4.2 L ). I had it at a dealership , they fixed it for about 2 months then it went bad again. They then said they may have to do around $2000 work to find the problem. Thats when I know they didn't know what they were doing. I would rather find it myself. (with someones help!) This car only has 30,000 miles and set alot. Any suggestions would be appreciated......Gary