Hard Starting 190SLs
Pierburg Pump Solution
If your 190 SL is hard to start after sitting for an extended period of time, you are not alone. Most 190 SL’s have this problem because the fuel source (the tank) is in the back on the car & as the car sits for a period of time the fuel drains out of the Solex’s & drains back to the tank. The factory provided a fuel pump with a hand primer handle to assist, but the newer replacement pumps does not have that function. Also it is not uncommon for your fuel system to have a few small air leaks, which also prevents an easy start.
Here’s a suggestion that I like to provide on most of the 190 SL’s I restore. Install an electric low pressure pump, the one I use is the:
Pierburg Low Pressure Fuel Pump, 12v
Ref: 901.108.407.XX
Pierburg, a division of KolbenSchmidt (an OE supplier to Porsche)
Pierburg Low Pressure Fuel Pump an easy install to help 190SL starting issues.
It is easy to install. I place it just before the fuel filter assembly & locate the pump in area near the master cylinder. It is hidden from view in this location and can be connected to a convenient 12 V source. Install a toggle switch on the 12 V circuit & mount it under the dash on a bracket. After turning the ignition key flip the switch and let the fuel system prime using the low-pressure pump. After 30 seconds or so, turn the pump off & fire up the car. Works every time. This became a standard feature on the follow-on 113 chassis.
Bruce Adams: BruceAdams190SL.com
One Response to “Hard Starting 190SL? Bruce Adams has a cure”
Bruce-My ’59 190 was(is) hard to start after sitting as you spoke of, but then got so it wouldn’t even stay running. I pulled the fuel pump and eliminated that as the problem,put in new gas filter and gasket, several attemts with new gaskets, even using Form a Gasket and other products with new gaskets, still no luck. I finally came to the conclusion it was sucking air around the lever entrys that control main/reserve function,only one I presume, as it was running well before. I finally bypassed the fuel filer assembly and put in a clear visable in-line filter , now it runs great. Two questions : Which of the canister entry lines (upper or lower) is the reserve line and which the main; and is there anyway, short of buying a whole new filter canister assembly that I can restore it’s integrity?
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