Hmmm, this is an odd one. You probably need to check for a leaking cold start valve or dripping injectors (not so easy, alas, nor cheap to fix...).

Try running a couple bottles of Techron or Redline fuel treatment through it, it may cure sticky injectors or a dripping cold start valve.

otherwise, if the injectors are leaking, you will have to replace them, and they ain't cheap, either.

Vapor lock is very unlikely, but not impossible if the dampner is bad, but it that were the case, cold starts would be a problem too.

Check the ignition out, too -- could be a bad coil, I suppose.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!