Why Will My Car Not Run?

Tiny
JHUMPY426
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300E
  • 164,000 MILES
My Mercedes had a problem leaking coolant but I replaced the water pump and fixed it. I noticed sort of a irregular idle but chalked it up to being a problem with the water pump, well a few weeks after I replaced the pump I pulled into my driveway and the car started chugging horribly! I shut the car off and when I started it the next day it hardly ran (chugging) so I turned it off and tried to start it again but now it doesn't start unless you push the accelerator to the floor then it does not stay running if you take your foot off the pedal! I pulled the spark plugs out to inspect them and 3 looked good and 3 were black what does all this mean?
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 3:29 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The black on the plugs tells me there is too much fuel getting to those plugs (flooding). If the check engine light has come on, have the computer scanned to identify trouble codes. If it is missing that bad, the light should come on. Most parts stores will scan it for free, or lend you a scanner. The trouble code should direct you to the problem.
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Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 5:42 AM

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