Was running great, then suddenly started to act like it was running out of fuel, then cleared up and ran for a few miles. Sat for two days and when I drove it it ran great for a few blocks and started to cut out again. Then it cut of and would re-start but ran poorly, then it would run okay for a few seconds and start to die again, or run really rough. Any guesses. Fuel filters look new, though I plan to install new ones today. Unfortunately, I don't have my tools, so i'm limited in what I can do. The temp was around twenty-five this morning, if it matters.
One day I'll learn to stop buying cars out of town without my tools.

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

If you just purchased the car and it had been sitting around for some time I would check for growth in the fuel. Is your pre=filter black? When removing main fuel filter pour contents in glass and have a look. Your description is almost absolutly fuel supply issues. Could also be an air leak as well but still amounts to fuel supply problems.

pulled the fuel return line and manually pumped the fuel pump. I also pulled one of the injectors and pumped. However, I never got a flow of fuel from the injector - is that normal? And when you say a air leak do you mean air in the line from an actual break in a line or a pump problem. I'm guessing that the fuel pump is where the fuel line goes in just after the primary filter and has a cap that is spring loaded for priming. Is that correct, (and if so does it need to be turned or just pumped). Anyway, after removing the lines and pumping I put it back together and it ran great, again, for several miles. You think I should anticipate the same problem again?

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

It sounds like your fuel filters were plugging up. Did you change them as Barry suggested, did you find "black goo"?

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Also check your fuel shut off valve for holding vacuum. I have seen them actuall hold the vacuum and not release it fully causing the car to run terrible. But check your filters first.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

I only had time to check the primary filter and it seemed okay with clear fuel in it. I started it this morning and it ran great for about 30 seconds before dying, and then it wouldn't re-start. I had to leave town so I dropped it at a shop to troubleshoot it. My other thought is that there is some contaminate in the fuel. Where is the fuel shut off valve?

__________________
Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/