Loss of power up hills - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mismost · #16 06-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Man, that sounds like an 55 chevy pickup I rebuilt years ago....same problem. It turned out to be tons of rust from the fuel tank plugging the filter and once even a piece of oak leaf which would lay flat and things would be fine, then it would flop up and block the fuel flow....simple, but confounding at the same time!

It's crap! It's all crap! I betcha.

Veloce300DT · #17 06-12-2006, 08:24 PM

Tank Screen plugged up, flushed.
Fuel Filters plugged up, replaced.
Fuel lines OK, flushed.
injection pump leaking. (no surprise, I thought there was a problem bigger than filters!)

more tomorrow!

Hatterasguy · #18 06-12-2006, 09:07 PM

Where is the IP leaking? Its its around the base cover that isn't a big deal.

Knowing you and how you keep your car, maybe it is time for an IP rebuild.

Veloce300DT · #19 06-12-2006, 09:33 PM

It seems to be leaking from the base cover. No biggie. The fuel filters however were FULL of crud... My last 3 tanks of fuel were from one specific diesel station not far from my house.... definitely NOT going there again, im going to stick with the Truck Stop on I80 a couple of miles away.

Since I have owned my car, this is the ONLY problem thing that has developed, and rather QUICKLY might I say, caused due in part to VERY poor fuel quality and a leaking gasket. As Hattie mentioned, perhaps its time for a full rebuild. If it is JUST the base cover gasket, a rebuild wouldnt be necessary. BUT if im going to bother replacing a gasket on a replaceable item thats 22 years old, why not just replace the whole thing? Im keeping the car for life. SO tomorrow we'll see what happens....

The IP leak & clogged filters certainly explain the slight power loss I began to notice about a month or so ago, and its gradual development into the stumbling, vibrating, relatively powerless beast my w123 has become. Its rather comforting to know that the fix is hopefully going to be so simple. I tend to be a hypochondriac... every time my car does something weird I automatically think I need a transmission, or a new block... LOL.

All I know is that I will be SO happy to have the old W123 I knew back in my life.. charging up hills at 80mph, able to keep up with traffic flow while mergeing onto the freeways, and a smooth uninterrupted idle.

I cant wait for the drive to the statewide CA MB diesel meet!

I'll report back tomorrow.

Veloce300DT · #20 06-15-2006, 10:37 PM

SO my car is up and running, ALL of the fuel lines & filters are new and fresh, from the gas cap through to the injection system. The car runs BEAUTIFULLY.... Right on par with Mr. Diesels 28K mile 300TD he has up for sale that I drove a couple of weeks ago. Smooth fuel delivery, ample power, and no more hesitation and vibration. It is MUCH quieter too..

The remaining task will be replacing the injection pump, which will happen next week. In addition to the previously mentioned leak, it is also leaking from the tamper free screws on either side of the injection timing adjustment screw.

May as well replace the whole thing since I have gone this far.

I'll report back after the pump is replaced.

OH! my birthday was yesterday, and one of my gifts was a beautiful zebrano wood shift knob, and a gift to myself was the park smart clean park parking mat. So the car now sits in the garage on its mat, with a nice new shiftknob. What a face-lift, I MUST say. It even matches the grain and tone of the existing wood to a T.

Im a happy camper.