I posted in the New Member section, but figured I'd get more help here. I just got a 1987 420 SEL and it has a few problems. It idles at 2100, the wipers dont work, the sun roof doesnt work. My main question is how doI tune down the idle. Do i need a new idle control valve? Also, it has about 167,000 miles (how long can these cars go) Thanks,</P>


Chris</P>

 

I guess I was wrong. Thanks

 

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Hey give it some time, its only free advice, some guys don't have time to come on here every day, </P>


is your car carb or injection?</P>


well looked after merc engines have been known to do 400,000 plus miles.</P>

 

Hi, I have an '86 just like it. I had similar problems, too. Sometimes the Forum takes time, but I got some great info here.</P>


Idle speed: It could be: air leaking aroung rubber injector seals (cheap and easy to fix); Idle air valve sticking or solenoid out; Idle control circuit which is located under carpet in passenger footwell. Probably either item 2 and/or 3. You want to fix this, will tear up the transmission.</P>


I have mine idling about right now, though I think my idle air valve sticks sometimes.</P>


More later, Randy</P>


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More info: wipers: Check fuse and switch.</P>


Engine and miles: mine has 143K and runs perfect; it idles very smoothly. You will want to check the timing (cam drive) chains for wear.stretch. These engines will last a very long time, but are expensive to fix if not cared for. Hey, quality is not cheap.</P>


My sunroof doesn't work; now that I have the mechanicals sorted out, I am about to tackle it. Exactly what are your symptoms: doesn't run, motor runs but roof doesn't open/close, or ? The motor is in the trunk, mounted on the driver's side quarter panel; it operates the roof through a cable sort of setup which goes through the roof frame to the sunroof. My motor runs but the cable is broken. There is a wrench that comes with the car, sort of a T-handle, looks sort of like a sparkplug wrench, it can be used to close the roof manually from the trunk if the motor fails, but won't help if the drive cable is broken. I have access to factory repair info and I will look up somethign for you, but it is not clear about what to do with my particular problem.</P>


regards,Randy</P>