1989 500 SE Throttle Response

[Placey]

My 126 had an off day recently when I lost all throttle response in traffic. The pedal felt OK [ie it was not slack] but the engine would not rev at all, although it was ticking over as normal. I drove to the side in 'drive' at tickover speed. On trying the throttle, I could 'floor it' with no response, but then it worked again and has been fine since.

I am thinking throttle cable or fuel pump pressure but would welcome advice form the forum.

Any ideas? Many thanks.

 

[mercmush]

500SE throttle response

My 560SEL had an identical problem ( I think ) as your 500SE. My mechanic at the time fitted an ''air slide'' and the car has been fine ever since. The air slide cost about £180.

 

[Placey]

Thanks for that. The car has been fine since and I have just come back from a weekend in York with no problems. I shall bare the 'air slide' in mind though. Thanks.

Incidently, I achieved 23.4 mpg over the weekend. I was amazed!

 

[mercmush]

I'm glad to hear that your 500SE got to York and back with no problems but I think it's important to get any problem correctly diagnosed on any car , but especially on an old one because repairs can be very costly.

I'm impressed by your 23+ mpg. My old 1984 500SEC never managed better than 22 mpg and to make me even more envious your SE I think had the uprated power to 265 bhp whereas I had to make do with 231 bhp.

Now that I have a 560SEL that 300 bhp motor really drinks the juice but never mind, we're only alive once.

 

[Placey]

Mercmush [great name by the way!]

How did the 500 compare to the heavier 560 power wise?

Also, do you know when the 231 / 240 BHP became 265 BHP? I have heard it was in '85 but also heard it was only in the last year or so. I used to have a '92 126 500 SE and it felt quicker than my current '89 500 SE.

Cheers

 

[mercmush]

Power comparisons

Once upon a time I could have bored you senseless with deadly accurate chronological information regarding power outputs but sadly those days are now gone ie I had to clear space for my baby son.

However I have an old What Car article from 89 and the 500SEL that they were driving had 265 bhp. It also turned in some pretty nifty performance figures of 143 mph and 0-60 in 7.3 sec. If you felt your 92 W126 was faster it must have been one of those subjective things. Either that or you mistakenly owned a debadged 560 masquerading as a 500 !!?

As for comparing the 560 with my old 231 bhp 500 there is no comparison. The former murders the latter even with the extra weight of the engine and extra equipment. My 500 was a spent force by 80 mph. You could feel yourself waiting for it to get to 90 and then 100.

My 560 only really gets going at 100 ! It has so much more to offer and the engine really compensates for that ageing bodyshell.