Author Topic: 1970 280SL Idle question  (Read 1101 times)

Mullera

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1970 280SL Idle question
« on: September 16, 2022, 03:15:53 »
Actually 2 questions.  Motor completely rebuilt well
1. Car starts and ldles perfectly.   Starts at 1000 rpm . During warm up idle goes down to 750 rpm at exactly 180 degrees.  Put in gear idle goes down to about 550 rpm.  Vacuum dashpot on Venturi does not work and I think it’s just the good condition of the motor that I do not stall out . Next , on a drive , temp needle rests on top of the 180 degree hash mark , . Change to neutral and idle is 1000 rpm again ,not 750
As during start up .  Just will not come down to 750. Don’t mind too much as it is just an idle issue but it should work correctly.   Any ideas why it goes up to 1000 and will not come off ?
2 . Can one fix  a  vacuum dashpot as above    ?     All the the tolerances are correct .
Thanks
Allan

Cees Klumper

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Re: 1970 280SL Idle question
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2022, 19:01:23 »
Have you checked whether any of the linkages are maybe not totally free, meaning something is preventing the idle from going back to 750 rpm after everything heats up really well? With the engine idling at 1,000, can you get it to go back to 750 by pushing the linkage back to the stop by hand?
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

ja17

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Re: 1970 280SL Idle question
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2022, 14:43:43 »
Make sure that the mechanical advance mechanism and the vacuum retard mechanism in the ignition distributor are working correctly. You can get an inconsistent idle if these are stuck or defective and not working correctly.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Mullera

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Re: 1970 280SL Idle question
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2022, 03:36:17 »
Thanks for your advices.
I will check both and report back .
Next to snowing here now so will take a few days !

Berggreen

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Re: 1970 280SL Idle question
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2022, 23:47:47 »
Hi Allan

After checking the linkage and ignition advance, also check the linkage solenoid, which pushes on the linkage, when you move from Park or Neutral into gear.

Ideally, it should, after warm-up with warm engine, idle in Park/Neutral at 750-800 rpm at around 4%CO, and when you then move into gear the linkage solenoid should be adjusted, so that it compensate for “loss” of rpms and prevent the engine from stalling by pushing on the linkage to increase rpms back to 750-800 rpm.

You adjust the solenoid by increasing/decreasing the length of the pin pushing on the linkage.

Cheers,

Christian
02/1971 MB 280SL (aut.) - olive green 291H
11/1970 MB 280SL (man.) - silver 180G
12/1977 MB 350SE (aut.) - deep green 825H
03/1969 Volvo 1800S (man.) - dark green 94