190e - thoughts most welcome!

[JamieD]

havea 190e 2.0 auto 1992. has low miles (69k), passed the MOT with no fuss and drives very well apart from a massive lack of power... when not in gear the engine revs up to around 2500 rpm, then takes about 15 seconds of frustrating waiting for it to get any further - it then hits about 3500 and vrooms away quickly (normally) to red line... if you rev the pants off of it, pop it in gear and go it will pull away quickly, but if you ever let it idle for more than 10 seconds it very very very sloooow again

I was told by the previous owner that it had been sat in a field for 2 years (before which it had a front end crash and was rebuilt - bodywork and radiator only).

Have been running with reddex - changed sparks, rotary arm, air filter, fuel filter, oil and oil filter, but still no joy. I've been told to check;

-the cat converter (possibly blocked).
-possible gearbox fault as usually starts in second (thought this was a normal 190e thing).
-fuel distribution
-voodoo curses (thanks mum)

any boffins out there have any ideas? Am reluctant to take to a garage as I cant afford to pay out much...

 

[G3maw]

Hi Jamie D,
Several causes could be at work - but the overriding background to this situation is more than likely to be DAMPNESS. Since the fault appears when you are trying to accelerate it could be that the air sensor flap ( inside the top of the throttle body immediately beneath the air cleaner ) is sticking due to the effects of damp/humidity after a long period of inactivity. Remove the air cleaner and GENTLY test for free movement of the circular flap downwards. Note any tendency for any initial resistance caused by a build-up of damp related surface corrosion inside the throttle body housing. A squirt of WD40 should help. This flap relies on incoming air pressure for its movement and it is this action which critcally regulates the metering of fuel for the injection system. A beautifully simple mechanical system that is normally very reliable as long as it gets used..........

 

[JamieD]

thanks G3 - have now tried removing the fuel distributor, and the air inflow sensor, cleaned them (air flow was ful of grit and sand!?) and replaced - doesn't seem to have done the trick though...

are there any common vacuum leaks on the 190e that could be to blame?