Hello all.

My 1979 242DL automatic is having a weird issue when starting.
Sometimes it doesn't start right away, and when it does it sputters and struggles to start and the engine shakes. It doesn't happen always, just randomly! It is not dependent on whether or outside temperature, it happens at first start and also when the engine is hot! My mechanic has check the injection and electrical (it needs a new engine harness) and has been trying to figure it out, but no luck.
The gas tank and sending unit are new and is getting plenty of fuel. I used injector cleaning on two full tanks and drove them both till empty, but nothing helped.
Does anybody have any ideas than can help me out?
Thank you very much in advance.

 

could be a gummed up idle air valve, a wonky temp sensor or a fuel pressure issue. When was the last time it got new plugs/wires/cap/rotor? have you checked for vacuum leaks?