My 1988 740GLE wagon is running very sluggish, no guts on acceleration at all. I experienced this problem once before, and it turned out that the timing belt had jumped 2 teeth. This time, it has been suggested that the lack of power is due to the Throttle Body being badly gummed up. Does anyone know if this is feasible? Any ideas on how to clean it?

Knock sensor - retards timing when bad/disconnected

You should be able to check the timing pretty easily and that would point out whether the cam has jumped or anything like that. The timing will be WAY off if it's off a tooth or more.
I'd look for other things first, this is kind of an unlikely scenario. Spark plugs, dist cap and rotor, a really dirty air filter or possibly a problem with the black intake air hose folding up on itself- kind of a weird problem but one specific to 740's.
Also make certain the downshift cable on the transmission hasn't broken or gotten stuck or loose.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

Wow. This is the first instance I've ever heard of the intake hose collapsing. I found my hose was collapsed after I inherited my car, which convinced me to keep it and improve it. Man, was it "fast"!

Rene Svastal
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1988 745 GLE B23FT M46 (J-P Type combo). Toronto. 390000Km. Suspension upgraded and lowered . 1982 242 GLT project (B23ET LPT to be included) Also in charge of GF's 1986 244