Mercedes 230TE 1989. Can anyone identify this problem!

[Hellion]

Apart from the fact it's old that is!

This car is an old work horse and I love it dearly, it has been good to me but has recently developed 2 unidentifiable faults.

1. It bounces like a bouncy castle. Mr Hellion has changed the shock absorbers and the rear suspension accumulators but still it bounces.

2. When the engine gets warm and you drive at more than 40 mph the car kangeroos as though it's about to run out of petrol. Again, Mr Hellion has changed the fuel filter, the leads, the distributor cap and the rotor but the problem is still not solved. There is 'clicking' sound come from a 'doofer' (unidentified part in the Haynes Manual - good old Haynes Book of Lies!) up by the battery housing - it has two vacuum pipes going into it.

We're at a loss - I still drive the car a couple of miles every day to get to work and the engine feels as though it has lots of life left in it yet BUT don't want to take it to a garage for an expensive diagnosis as truly the car is not worth the expense, however don't want to give up on it without asking the wise old owls at answerbank in case one of you says 'Yes I know exactly what that is'! Many thanks

[homer75]

If the car is bouncing then the dampers are either not working or are not secured properly. As for the fuel problem, I would be looking at the fuel pump diaphram - it may be perforated and causing your symptoms.

[homer75]

Bye the way - who is Mr Hellion ?

[Hellion]

We'll give it a try. Mr Hellion is my dearly beloved!

[Hellion]

Just thought, we've put a brand new fuel pump in so I don't think it can be that. Will try the dampeners though. Anyone else got any ideas?

[connor91]

hi mrs Hellion

just a thought, the car is 17 years old, the fuel tank could have a build up of silt, restricting the flow,hard to check,but air line down pipe to tank should dislodge it.also silt in carb, in line filters,check air filter.do what you can before you start paying out.may be condenser shorting out on reving,tryle and error till you find fault.

good luck

[Hellion]

Thanks Connor 91 Will try these suggestions too. Anyone else with any ideas we'll gradually work our way through the list! My gut feeling is this is a simple problem and probably quite cheap to fix....it's just frustrating not being able to identify it.

I don't want to give up on my shabby chic car just yet!!