300CE starting and running problems....

[mjcapri]

Hi and thanks for reading this. I'm new to the forum and have recently bought a 1988 300CE. It's in good condition generally, especially for it's age but I'm having a few problems....
Firstly, it's a bit reluctant to start. It turns over ok but doesn't fire as quickly as you'd expect it to. When it does fire it's rough for a few seconds and then settles down.
Secondly, once the engine is warm the rough running (misfire I assume) returns and the engine cuts out. last time it did this I removed the distributor cap and gave it a wipe out, thinking it was damp. The car started but by then the engine had cooled anyway so that wasn't really conclusive. The cap has a couple of 'fag burns' on the inside which obviously isn't good but would that cause this sort of behaviour? I'm thinking the engine bay's been steam cleaned before I bought it so dampness is definately a possibility.
Any ideas as to the cause of the problem(s) would be much appreciated, this is my first Merc so I'd rather ask you guys before I start replacing things. Ironically I work on Mercs for a living, but they are of the Actros variety - slightly different lol.

Thanks again,

Mark.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

The cap can cause the problems as you describe. If the contact points look corroded then you could well do with a new dizzy cap and rotor arm.

Check the brass contact in the centre of the rotor arm, these can get oil on them from the cam seal and this gives running problems.

get your new bits from euro parts or gfs, they will be so much cheaper than mb.

 

[Xtractorfan]

If i were you i would be changing/renewing the distributor cap, leads and plugs and any other electrical item that is servicable..and contributes to the smooth running of the car, my next port of call would be the fuel system and then the air or vacuum system ..

 

[mjcapri]

Cheers guys. Hopefully it will be down to the electrical components you've suggested and nothing more serious. I use euro car parts sometimes and they are pretty cheap. I'll let you know how I get on!