2.3 16v Distributor replacement

[Bob 2316]

please can anyone tell me which system i have on my car. i think its the EZL system but not 100% sure.

i have had the engine home tune type man come round to investigate bad cold start. he has determined that there is insufficient spark getting to Nbr 4 cylinder and concludes that the best thing to do is to replace the distributor cap and rotor arm, which i have purchased from GSF. but after managing to remove one of the screws i am unable to remove the other (isnt it always theway)! i have dripped penetrating oil on it a couple of time a day for a week but still it wont move and can only conclude that it is probably bodged in with glue or something. the head of the cross head is begining to strip now anyway.

i guess now im looking at removing the whole distributor, and replacing that too. but as i have never undertaken anything to do with timing since i was a teenager with a mini 1000 and remember quite clearly how i had wished i had never started the job, im a little anxious to say the least.


i have a haynes manual for 190e (except 2.3 16) and have been reading up on the ignition system. Question is my car of the EZL type of distributor?

if so would i be able to follow the haynes manual instructions on EZL removal and refitting for my car?

Can anyone advise just how hard it is on a scale of 1-5 ?

does anyone have any general advice regarding timing jobs.

i think i will have to get another one from a breakers as even a non MB distributor is 118.50 +VAT and at a breakers i guess its about £40+vat!

Q: do i have to get the part NBR from the distributor for the breakers or are all distributors on 2.3 16 s the same ?

would be grateful for any feedback on these questions, thanx

Bob

 

[sunil sood]

bob,

what year is your car?
is a 190e-2.3?
does it have a catalytic converter?-need to know this before it is possible to tell whether it is ezl or not?

the jammed screw-try using the wd40 oil and use a mole grip wrench to twist the screw if you can reach the top of it.

this sometimes is the only way i have dislodged a stuck bolt or screw-this is what i would try first before replacing the whole distributor.

good luck!

 

[Richard.Wilson]

Hi Bob,
I'm only just getting started with MB ownership after a long break, so others may have more specific experience, but I just got a '92 230TE, and had exactly the same problem when I decided to service it ( the day I got it home!) I managed to snap it clean off at the bottom where it's thin. However, taking of the distributor was no problem at all. I scribed a line on the distributor body and the crankcase, just where the bolt is located. Checked the Rotor arm position, and removed the distributor. Personally I ended up drilling it out and fitting a Helicoil, but I think you might get luckier than me if you don't bust the screw .
I'd remove the distributor complete, carefully cut off the head from the screw, remove the cap, and then you can hold the full length of the screw in the vice whilst turning the distributor body. You are also able to get some localised heat on the thread, so you may get it out in one piece. If you reassemble it with the scribed lines accurately it will be spot on, I strobed mine afterwards and it was right on the money. Just make sure the rotor arm is pointing the right way, it rotates as it engages the worm gear, so be careful, but it's obvious if it's wrong.
Hint....I always take digital photos as I take things to bits these days, better than my short term memory!!!! Good Luck

 

[Bob 2316]

hi its a 2.3 16 v auto 1986.

 

[Bob 2316]

hi yeah i soaked the first one in proper penetrating oil and it worked but the other one looks l;ike it has been stuck for a long time and probably previous owner was unable to shift it aswell. ive had the force of a 6ft 5" 22 stone australian plumber bearing down on it with a huge yankee driver but to no avail and then followed up with an impact drive and an 4lb hammer!!

cant seem to get to cut the head off the csrew as its slightly recessed as there is a black plastic shroud covering the orange distrubtor cap.

i think ill probably go for the second hand option if i can find out if all 2.3 16vs had the same distributor. dont think it has cat though???

best rgds
and thanksd for your feedback

bob

thanx for your feedback

 

[Bob 2316]

sunil
im pretty sure i have an EZL system, by reading the Haynes manual, the picture of the ignition system electronic control unit looks familiar and the TSZ distributer is mentioned to have a vacuum unit on the side of it which mine does nt have.


bob

 

[Andy]

Hi


EZL Refrers to the control unit which is sited on the ns flitch. I would follow the instructions as above. Take the distributor to an engineer who could remove the screw for you. Its a common problem. One screw comes out and the other seizes.

Good luck


Regards
Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com