Will not stay running more than two to three seconds?

1983 MERCEDES BENZ 380SL
150,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
DWBACHARACH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
After rebuilding fuel delivery system, replacing injectors, cleaning fuel lines from distributor to injectors, adding new plugs and wire set, the car will start, but only runs for a few seconds. Not sure what my next step(s) should be to address this issue. Thanks, Dave
Jun 21, 2021 at 4:41 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 18,907 POSTS
This sounds like a fuel issue so we need to start with checking fuel pressure and finding out what it is. Especially since you just did all this work to the fuel system.

Here is a guide that will help with step by step instructions on this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Next here is a guide that helps with this issue in more general terms:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Let's start with this info and go from there because once we find out the fuel pressure, I suspect we are going to be onto our issue.

Thanks
Jun 22, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Avatar
DWBACHARACH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks. Not sure where to attach the pressure gauge. There is no port on the fuel distributor and there is no pressure port on any line in an old car like this. Should I attach it on the line from the fuel pump before the distributor? Inline near the idle control module or the cold start control? Thanks.
Jun 24, 2021 at 10:26 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 18,907 POSTS
Unfortunately these are not easiest to test this pressure as you have to have basically separate a connection point and put in a T system as shown in the diagrams below.

These are not the best pictures but basically you have to pick any hard line connection point and put this set up in so that you can connect the gauge.
Jun 24, 2021 at 7:55 PM
Avatar
DWBACHARACH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks. I kind of figured I'd have to build my own lines with a tee and pressure port. I'll work on that. :)
Jun 24, 2021 at 8:51 PM
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds good. Please let us know what you find and if you have other questions. Thanks for the update.
Jun 25, 2021 at 7:54 PM
Avatar
DWBACHARACH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Will do. :)
Jun 25, 2021 at 8:03 PM