Hi all!
I have been restoring a 1981 380sl...so far so good!
The car just starting doing something strange.
After starting and warming up, it will run sluggish from initial acceleration until about 2000rpms, and then seems to run fine, even at high speed.
It will repeat the problem when braked to a stop, idle, press the gas, and repeat the slow crawl through 2000 rpm and then take off!
I stopped by a generic mechanic shop and they recommended adding Lucas Fuel Ingector cleaner and taking her for a long drive.
Did about 50 mile drive and had to get home. Didn't really notice any marked improvement.
I cleaned the air meter and replaced the main air filter.
I also sprayed a can of Gunk air cleaner around the throttle air meter. It is clean, but seems tight. When I pressed the air meter down, it did stall the car.
Anyone know what the small (air)filter is in the box with the main air filter?
I got a new fuel filter at Pep Boys but haven't installed yet.
Hoping it is something minor...car was running great before, but then I did drive it pretty hard before the problem started.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Chris

 

I have the same problem with my 1982 380SEL. The trick is, it comes and goes. It will run like a champ one day, and then no power. I took it to Mercedes mechanic, and he told me, it was a loose connection to fuel pump. It was a lie, I check it myself before giving him the car. He did adjust my fuel-air mixture and made my car hard to start. I'm still having the same problem. I'm looking for solution. When the problem happens, it feels like fuel pressure related or no timing advance. I will swap fuel pump with everything that comes with it from my other Mercedes (1987 420SEL) and see if this correct the problem.