Thanks again rrgrassi, RichC..
looks like we fixed it: as I suspected, it WAS a pump problem, but luckily NOT the IP. The 12 volt auxiliary pump we had installed to help pump the SVO was just too wimpy. It was clicking but not pulling hard enough. My mechanic installed a big MB pump and the car is back to full power (with SVO). What a huge relief.
Now to deal with the leaky hand pump on the wagon. Runs fine but I'll replace it ASAP.
COld starts are sitll my issue. Neither car came with a block heater, so I'm trying to decide what the next best move is. Not that we have it tough here in LA, gets down to maybe 30 when I get up to go to work at 5:30am.
For now, a dash of diesel helps.

rrgrassi: thanks for filtering/heating info. I hadn't been heating the oil after collection because I figured that whatever water might be in it would have boiled out in the hot fryers. but if you've found water in collected WVO, then maybe I oughta rethink my set-up.
thanks again,
Stanya

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1982 300TD, 265k
1984 300D, 282k