R107 Starting problem

[justmck]

Can anyone help? My 300sl generally starts first time but has problems if I need to restart after only a short trip?

 

[ALBERT MITCHELL]

albert

Hi justmck

I have exactly the same problem with my 1987 300SL. Starts fine from cold. Run it for an hout or so, switch off. Return to car couple of hours later and I have only a 50/50 chance of the thing starting again. I have no confidence in the car starting and consequently resist using it. Tried almost everything mates tell me e.g. don`t put your foot on accelerator whenturning ignition key, pump accelerator pedal once then try to start. Loads of other suggestions, none of which work.

Have you sorted the problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WG M-B]

The most common culprit is the distributor cap.
It could also be fuel pump relay amongst other things although these tend to also cause cutting out.
Does it miss and pop once started??? Injectors running in cause hard starting when hot!!!

A few different suggestions and all common culprits

 

[ALBERT MITCHELL]

Thanks WG M-B. Once started it does not miss and pop and seems to run very smoothly. It is just the actual ignition start up where the problem lies. The car is in Spain and we return there at the end of September for a few weeks. Not being at all mechanically minded I shall get someone to check the distributor cap.

Many thanks for your help.

 

[WG M-B]

When you next get the problem Albert just listen to see if you can hear the fuel pump buzz when the ingition is turned on before cranking.