Engine tune

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Douglas
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Joined: 21.03.2023
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Hello, 

Firstly, I would like to thank you all for being so helpful so far. Especially Gav who has been most helpful in sourcing a replacement exhaust

I have a 1988 280GE that I recently bought and have been slowly restoring it. 

I bought this car knowing it needed a bit of work and have enjoyed the process of figuring it out so far!

It's been interesting seeing how much I remember from working on motorcycles growing up and how much of it actually translates. 

When I bought this car I recognized a few issues that I was gonna have to resolve sooner rather than later.

 

  • Higher than normal idle ( idle screw already at its lowest) 
  • Engine cuts out on low fuel when turning corners or stopping quickly ( fuel pressure or pump issues?) 

 

I was wondering if there is any resource that already exists for working on these two issues I have and getting the engine working as well as it can be

Here's what I am planning. I would be so grateful if anyone has any more info suggestions or change of order etc!

 

Perhaps there's already a post somewhere that covers a restoration such as this 

 

 

  1. Check the fuel system pressure 
  2. Fuel pump test and change, 
  3. Fuel pressure accumulator test and change ( this is probably the culprit for the issue of fuel cutting on corners right?)
  4. Fuel filter change 
  5. Fuel injectors and seals check and change
  6. check alternator
  7. Check spark plugs and ignition coils 
  8. Valve adjustment
  9. Any belts that may wear change
  10. Ignition timing 
  11. oil, coolant, and filters change 
  12. engine compression check
  13. KE Jetronic tune - the senor plate and mixture adjustment  I really need to do some reading and get some advice here to figure out what I am trying to achieve and how to do so. By this I mean to say, other than obvious signs. it's not in a good way such as a rough idle. How do I know what I ought to be aiming for here? Would this be when a C02 test and a duty cycle are required? Is this the right path I am reading into?

Thank you ever so much for pointing me in the right direction. I work as a photographer if I can repay the favor to anyone in any way. Happy to part any wisdom I have in that department!

 

 

 

 

gav.helme
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Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
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Re: Engine tune

Before you touch anything check all the vaccum hoses and especially the idle air hoses

There are about 5/6 of these depending on spec / year etc all about 3/4" diameter

Any cranks or splits in these and the idle, low speed running and fuel consumption will be all over!

Douglas
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Joined: 21.03.2023
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Re: Engine tune

Thank you Gav!

 

After that would you suggest I continue with the steps I mentioned?

Jdring
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Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
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Re: Engine tune
Douglas... Do a search website for K-Jet. There are a few threads talking about tuning. The 280 and 230 have the same. In particular there are links to an online guide called 'smell the petrol' or similar, and several YouTube clips which cover it. Perhaps your fuel pickup is too high in the tank. You'd have to be very low on fuel for it to be sucking vapour, although it has certainly happened to me on roundabouts if my low fuel light is on. So I don't think a good accumulator is the solution. The solution is not to let the tank get so empty!