Hi,

I have a 1988 190E 2.3 with a 1990 engine in it. The car starts like a dream, but dies after it warms up. It seems to be after about 15 minutes or so. When I try to start it after it dies, there is black smoke from the exhaust (indicating excess fuel?)
Any tips for keeping her from dying ? Shes almost to the point where I can use her as a daily driver. For the 15 mins she stays alive she drives nice.

Thanks,
-- Steven

 

Sounds like my problem on my '88 190E 2.3 minus the black smoke. I'm at a loss though, let me know if you figure it out and I'll do the same.
-Daniel

 

Well, I think I have a diagnosis. I really believe that your felpump/injecotrs are putting too much fuel into your engine and are flooding it. Either a flooding problem or a radiator problem? Check your radiator and make sure tha tit not only works but htat he sensor that truns it on/off (thermometor toggle) is actualy working.

 

Thanks a lot Travis, I'll check those out and let you know what works. The radiator is new but I haven't looked at the sensors, the fuel system was just flushed and I've got a new fuel filter so it should be clean. What would cause it to put too much fuel into the engine? As far as electric, I've got new plugs and relatively new wires and will replace the distributor and rotor later this week. I hadn't thought about what you had said yet, my money was with the fuel pump. Thanks again for the advice!
-Daniel

 

I have seen on a large variety of cars- from Geo's to Mercedes diesels, the sensor that thruns the radiator on and off fail and no longer work. The failed sensro is often tuff to diagnose and often missed allot in the begining. Rather than buying a new sensor (possibly over $300!) you may want to consider jsut going to radioshack and getting a toggle swithc and jump wire,and jsut turn the radiator on and off each time you turn the car on and off. I have sone this before on mercedes's and it works fine. good luck.