Due to illness in the family, my '86 240DL has been sitting in the garage for a year. Of course, now it won't start, even with a new battery. Should I repair it? I'm sentimentally attached to this car. Advice appreciated. Thanks!

(Sorry for the repost, I think this is where I should have posted first, Thanks again!)

 

If the car was in running shape when parked, then it should be worth a little effort to clean it up and get it running again. Give the time off, a few things to try. crank without fuel (ie no fuel pump relay) and even consider adding a small amount of oil into the spark plug holes to help build compression (like a wet compression test). Consider draining the fuel and adding new. Check for spark - ie wires ok? rotor/cap? Got fuel pressure? is the relay good? is fuel reaching the injectors? Likely you have some rather basic fuel/spark issue to sort out. These cars have a cult following now so if its in reasonable shape there's a market of buyers - thus the car has value.

 

Thank you so much! Going to rally my dh this weekend and try to get Bertha going again! I really appreciate your help, Sheila

 

I wouldn't bother draining the gas, a year is not that long to get contaminated. Make sure the new battery is strong, and squirt some starting fluid in the intake--that will tell you if it is fuel problem or spark.