Hey guys!

My mechanic has gone AWOL and I need some guidance while I look for a new mechanic.

My 240 d manual transmission car has all of the sudden lost power. For the past couple of months ocassionally when I wanted to put it into first I would try to accelerate and it would go really slow. Usually, I would just put my foot on the clutch again and try and accelerate again in first and it would "knock it off". But now, after extensive driving it is slow going.

I read that fuel filters could be the problem, so yesterday we changed oil and replaced all filters (including primary and secondary), also replaced a leaky rubber fuel hose that fed into the fuel filter hoping that was the problem. I drove it around for a while after and it is still not back to normal. If there were air in the system I think it would have been out by now.

Hills are slooooooow going. And the top speed I've gotten it to on a flat road is 40 mph. I used to be able to drive this car 70-75 mph easy. When I rev the car in neutral the engine sounds fine, it is when I put it in gear that it just does not have power. Any thoughts?

Slipping clutch?

If the clutch is in any useful shape at all, you should be able to stall the engine when idling in 2nd by putting a foot on the brake and engaging the clutch.

If the clutch is slipping, it will smell like hot brakes as the friction warms it, and RPMS will increase but speed will not. This is a bad thing because it can change the temper of the flywheel if it gets it hot enough.

While it revs in idle, this takes hardly any fuel, as there is no load.
A few things I would look for or check;

Air binds
Kinked fuel lines, check all the way from the bottom of the tank to the engine.
Rusty fuel lines (rusty fuel lines can suck air)
Tank strainer
Clogged tank vent
Check the throttle linkage, make sure it delivers a full stroke to the input lever on the injector pump.
Spring on the lift pump overflow.

If there is no alternative fuel involved, John please move this to DD.

If there is an alternative fuel in use, please clarify.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

Check firewall thingy for cracks. Where the throttle arms come from the injection pump.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Hey guys!

Thanks for the help. It ended up being the linkages. My mechanic has adjusted them for now but it looks like the reason they got messed up was because of all of those little plastic bushings which are old and will need to be replaced. I just did a quick online search and it doesn't look like any sort of kit is sold so I will go by my OEM place tomorrow and see what they have.

If any of you know of a source to buy them, please advise.

In the end it was a silly thing that caused me a lot of distress over the weekend, but I am glad it is nothing more serious!

Thanks again!!

Hi, my 240d was missing those bushings as well, and my indy mechanic just secured them with zip ties about 2 years ago. no issues since. fyi

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Austin, TX
81 240d dd
89 560sel sold

Accelerator Linkage Bushing (Small White Plastic), Brand: Genuine Mercedes [More Info] [view in catalog]
Brand: Genuine Mercedes
Rating:
This part fits your 1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D Sedan

115-072-04-50-M22
$4.50
Bushing, [More Info] Brand: Genuine Brand: X
This part fits your 1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D Sedan

115-072-04-50-INT
$4.25

Accelerator Linkage Bushing (Small White Plastic), [More Info]
Brand: Genuine Mercedes-Benz Brand: Genuine Mercedes-Benz
Rating:
This part fits your 1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D Sedan

115-072-04-50-MBZ
$4.75

__________________
Austin, TX
81 240d dd
89 560sel sold