1989 260E Stalling and cool system issues.

A bit of a saga to say the least. If I leave the car garaged for a lengthy time like a week, It will start and drive OK for a few kilometres then it will stall. Sometimes it will restart and other times not.

To add to my confusion I have had an overhaul of the cooling system including a new radiator and now the radiator light is back on despite there being sufficient coolant!

On one occasion when it stalled after being unused for about a month I had a mechanic pull of the cover where the spark plug leads enter (the rotor compartment I guess) and it was very moist.

Is there a possibility of a leaking water seal that would dampen this part of the electrical system?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have been trying to fix this issue for a long time now. The car otherwise is in great condition.

Cheers.

Reply to
Andrew
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Not enough information about the car.

Since it sounds like you rarely drive the car, If the fuel tank is nearly empty, refill it with fresh fuel and add some fuel stabilizer.

As for your distributor and rotor, how old is it? Moisture doesn't get in there unless there is some other problem...

There is alot of things that would cause stalling but it takes diagnostic to get to the source.

Your coolant light is probably because of the sensor wasn't changed at that time. Corrosion build op on the sensor and light comes on.

Reply to
Tiger

I guess it is the 103 engine, where the distributor is fitted directly to the cam shaft at the front cylinder cover. I don't know for the 103 engine, but in the 104 engine (the successor of 103) the cooling water is lead through the front cylinder cover, and a leak in the sealings here could lead to moisture in the distributor (and loss of cooling water).

Reply to
Jens

Jens wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@i31g2000yqm.googlegroups.com:

Thanks, that helps me think I'm not crazy! Yes the distributor is on the front of the engine.

Reply to
Andrew Macainsh

31g2000yqm.googlegroups.com:

As I said, I don't know for the 103 engine - perhaps someone can assist.

But at least it gives you something to trace. It is not that difficult to dissassemble to inspect, but (again for the 104 engine) take care when refitting the front cylinder cover. Use a new gasket towards the timing chain cover below and use sealant in the corners towards the cylinder head.

... and drain water before disassemling.

Reply to
Jens

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