I have a 380 SL that would start fine when cold or within minutes of turning off. If it sat for more than 10 minutes and was not cold it would barely start. The local mechanic said I need a fuel accumulator. This was done and no change. Then he added a fuel pressure regulator. No change. Took it to another mechanic and he said I needed a fuel distirbutor. Bought 3 different ones (used/rebuilt) and it fixed nothing. He fixed assorted vacuum lines and electrical connections. I picked it up and it ran OK and seemed the more I drove it the better it got. Then it just died every time I stopped, but would start right back up. I changed the fuel filter as it seemed to be starving for gas. Now it's worse than ever. It will try to start but run for only a few seconds and die. When it finally starts it will only move at light throttle. Giving it any real gas makes it just fall on it's face. I've spent lots of $$$$ with 2 different mechanics that are just parts changing.Can't seem to find a decent one in this area. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Your profile says you're in Bradenton, FL...me too. Who has looked at this problem?

Bob

 

Pauls Automotive and Bill Dole

 

Paul's best MB tech, Mike Tanzberger, left shortly after Christmas to open his own shop in the Whitfield Industrial Park off Talevast/301.
The name of Mike's shop is TanzTech, and you can reach him at 941-727-1363. Mike just finished work on my 560SL that was perfect. He gets the diagnosis right the first time, fixes properly, is very competitive on parts and labor as he's trying to build a loyal customer base, and you won't have to bring it back, and bring it back, and....you know the drill. If you decide to let him look at your car, when you call to schedule the appt., tell him 'Bob Jones suggested you call him'.

When I had the identical problem, it was the accumulator. Since you've done that already, about the only thing left is perhaps to remove and flush the fuel pump and/or change the gas filler cap-a small leak at the cap gasket will allow pressure to escape giving you the same symptoms.

Post how you make out or send meaPM-Good Luck

Bob

 

speedyoh10,
In my other post, I said...'Paul's best MB tech, Mike Tanzberger, left shortly after Christmas to open his own shop in the Whitfield Industrial Park off Talevast/301.'

I must have had a braincramp when I wrote that as the Whitfield Industrial Park is off Whitfield/ 301, not Talevast. Ahh the mind, it's a terrible thing to lose-

Bob