1984 Mercedes-benz 380 sl problems

Common 1984 Mercedes-benz 380 sl problems

The 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL is a luxury vehicle that has faced several problems over time, as reported by its owners. Some of the common problems include:

• Fuel-related issues: The car may suffer from a fuel-related problem that prevents the engine from running, which is the most common issue reported by owners. This problem could be due to an electrical issue with the fuel line or the fuel delivery system. The engine in this car has Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which is a rudimentary mechanical/electronic set up with a Lamda sensor to help vary the fuel/air mixture. This old-school fuel injection system could have any number of issues that are preventing fuel flow.

• Warm/Hot start issues: The car may have a warm/hot start issue where it starts right up fine when it's cold but when it's warm after it's been sitting for 15-20 minutes, it just cranks and cranks. This issue could be due to a bad accumulator, which is a known issue with this car. The accumulator is a part of the fuel delivery system, and when it goes bad, it can cause warm/hot start issues. The accumulator is located in the back of the car, and if fuel comes out of it when tested, it means that the diaphragm in the accumulator is bad and needs to be replaced .
• Camshaft problems: There have been reports of premature failure related to some sort of camshaft problems in pre-1986 380 SLs. This problem could be expensive to fix, and it's essential to check if the car has this issue before purchasing it.

• Transmission issues: The transmission in the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL may hesitate before engaging its okay after it engages. This issue could be due to a short delay such as a second or two before the transmission engages. Over time, the clutch starts to wear out, and the clutch pack clearances increase, causing the transmission to take a longer time to engage. The reverse gear is usually the most affected by this, but the delay worsens over time as the clutch wears out. If there isn’t much of a delay into forward or reverse gears as yet and the transmission can shift through the gears without slipping, it's essential to get the fluid level and fluid condition checked and get the transmission fluid and filter replaced if the fluid looks old.

• Throttle position switch issues: The throttle position switch, situated at the side of the throttle, may need to be adjusted if the car develops a problem where it revs about 1000 rpm in gear with no throttle. It would be better to get the idle speed control unit tested by a professional to check if the switch closes at idle.

• Vacuum tubes and rubber hose issues: The car may have issues with vacuum tubes and rubber hoses that sit on each side of the intake manifold. Replacing these parts can help the car run better.

• O2 sensor issues: The car may have an empty hole with a thread in the exhaust pipe, where the O2 sensor should be. Installing the correct O2 sensor and ensuring that it is working correctly can help the car run better.

In conclusion, the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL is a luxury vehicle that has faced several problems over time. These problems include fuel-related issues, warm/hot start issues, camshaft problems, transmission issues, throttle position switch issues, vacuum tubes and rubber hose issues, and O2 sensor issues. It's essential to check for these issues before purchasing the car and to get them fixed as soon as possible to ensure that the car runs smoothly.

Is the 380SL a good car?

Power and Performance

Under the hood, the 380SL delivered a level of performance that matched its stylish exterior. Equipped with a 3.8-liter V8 engine, this roadster produced a respectable 201 horsepower and 232 lbs-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate with poise and tackle the open road with confidence.

What is the value of a 1984 Mercedes 380SL?

In good original condition, a 380SL gets about $40,000 on the collector market, and in average condition about $10,000 less.

What size engine is in the 1984 Mercedes 380SL?

Engine 8 Cylinder M 116:

Capacity: 3818cc 233ci. Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 8 cylinders in Vee configuration.

Does the 1983 Mercedes 380SL have a V8 engine in it?

Based on the extremely successful and well-loved R107 chassis, the Mercedes-Benz 380SL built upon the technological developments of the earlier 350SL. It was powered by a 3.8L version of the M116 V8 engine, with a single overhead cam for each cylinder bank and Bosch Jetronic fuel injection.

Is the 380SL a good car?

Power and Performance

Under the hood, the 380SL delivered a level of performance that matched its stylish exterior. Equipped with a 3.8-liter V8 engine, this roadster produced a respectable 201 horsepower and 232 lbs-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate with poise and tackle the open road with confidence.

What is the value of a 1984 Mercedes 380SL?

In good original condition, a 380SL gets about $40,000 on the collector market, and in average condition about $10,000 less.

What size engine is in the 1984 Mercedes 380SL?

Engine 8 Cylinder M 116:

Capacity: 3818cc 233ci. Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 8 cylinders in Vee configuration.

Does the 1983 Mercedes 380SL have a V8 engine in it?

Based on the extremely successful and well-loved R107 chassis, the Mercedes-Benz 380SL built upon the technological developments of the earlier 350SL. It was powered by a 3.8L version of the M116 V8 engine, with a single overhead cam for each cylinder bank and Bosch Jetronic fuel injection.

1984 Mercedes-benz 380 sl car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mercedes-benz 380 sl problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Vehicle speed control problems
• Service brakes problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Mercedes-benz 380 sl vehicle components and the number of complaints received.