450SL jettronic problems 1980

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

Hi All
I am new here.
Purchased a 450SL from 1980. Soon after purchase it stopped running. I have now come to the conclusion it is the distributor that has failed.
My question is should I do a rebuild kit, or send the distributor away for rebuild? if I choose the rebuild route has anyone any suggestions.
I have been in touch with a few companies however non have won me over would like to hear other experiences.
By the way I an based in Europe but have no problems paying extra shipping costs.

W

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome

 

[DREAMER NO2]

If i am right the fuel distributor is made of cast iron not aluminium .They have been known to warp .Myself i would send the unit away for service .Do it right once, and forget it ..But if you chose to send it away , as others members who have had it done in the past .

 

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

If i am right the fuel distributor is made of cast iron not aluminium .They have been known to warp .Myself i would send the unit away for service .Do it right once, and forget it ..But if you chose to send it away , as others members who have had it done in the past .

Thanks for the sound words. I am leaning towards sending it away.
Next time you pass Ombersley say hello to that village for me.

 

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

Hello and welcome

And good day to you Sir.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Thanks for the sound words. I am leaning towards sending it away.
Next time you pass Ombersley say hello to that village for me.

Snowleapard I will do that for you ..I pass by most days on my way to Worcestershire ..

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

My personal view is if it older kit, let the people who know and have experience do it. You have a comeback if it goes wrong.
For example my gear selector on my SL is made of ABS which becomes brittle as it ages, My trailing arm rear bush/ball joint is starting to wear.
front ball joints replaced spring 2023.
I've ordered the parts and will let my trusted indie fit.
I recently replaced my oil cooler gasket on the SL, myself ( which was leaking)
Prefer to work just in the engine bay these days while standing.
As you age there is less of a drive to be under a car on axle stands.
For me personally.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

And the same goes for me ..I can work standingup .But other repairs are done by a friend mechanic of 50 years younger than me. ..

 

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

And the same goes for me ..I can work standingup .But other repairs are done by a friend mechanic of 50 years younger than me. ..

My personal view is if it older kit, let the people who know and have experience do it. You have a comeback if it goes wrong.
For example my gear selector on my SL is made of ABS which becomes brittle as it ages, My trailing arm rear bush/ball joint is starting to wear.
front ball joints replaced spring 2023.
I've ordered the parts and will let my trusted indie fit.
I recently replaced my oil cooler gasket on the SL, myself ( which was leaking)
Prefer to work just in the engine bay these days while standing.
As you age there is less of a drive to be under a car on axle stands.
For me personally.

Thanks for the input.
I purchase this 450sl from a friend of a friend, as a non runner thinking it would not be too difficult to get back on the road.
It last ran in 2022 and the guy who owned it had health problems ect, ect. After a full service and all the basic stuff, the car starts but will not run for more than a few minutes. Now I have split the distributor, as you can see from the photo all the rings are no longer whole and two of the injectors are loose? .
Today I have been in touch with SPOB / Mengenteiler in Germany, to make matter worse they have informed me that part of the distributor is damaged see photo with red ring. So what started as a cheeky purchase is beginning to be a head ache.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Looks like you have a long way to go .But i am sure you will win in the end .Do a little rest a little this is my moto. And ask for guidance ..There are some very good members in the know on the forum .Good luck .

 

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

Looks like you have a long way to go .But i am sure you will win in the end .Do a little rest a little this is my moto. And ask for guidance ..There are some very good members in the know on the forum .Good luck .

Yep it will be nice when its finished.

 

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

Just a little update.
After a chat with The SL Shop, I ordered a rebuild kit and cleaned and serviced the distributor myself.
The distributor is now working fine however I think the cold start valve is playing up.
To anybody thinking about servicing a fuel distributor I would say its not a too difficult job you just need plenty of
time and to be very methodical.

 

[peterws1957]

Just a little update.
After a chat with The SL Shop, I ordered a rebuild kit and cleaned and serviced the distributor myself.
The distributor is now working fine however I think the cold start valve is playing up.
To anybody thinking about servicing a fuel distributor I would say its not a too difficult job you just need plenty of
time and to be very methodical.

Good that you have the skills to tackle this job. Probably most owners wouldn't even attempt it.

 

[Snowleopard with Mercedes]

Learning by doing and Youtube.
The worst that could happen was I lost the price of a rebuild kit and then had to send the fuel distributor to a specialist to do the rebuild.
80% of the fun (for me) of having a car like this is keep these cars from the 1980s on the road.