hey there. just bought my 3rd 300TD today, (though this is my first turbo) and am having some TROUBLE! I'm planning on doing a cross-country road trip, moving to Oregon in a couple days, so it'll come as no surprise that i'm freaking out about this!

Picked the car up today from a used car lot in south Houston, TX, and drove it home around 15 miles on the highway. she did GREAT on the interstate, but HORRIBLY after exiting and driving city streets.

she began really lacking power, and would hardly MOVE! tried to drive up into a friend's parking garage, and the short incline was too much for her. she stopped moving forward, and even after pushing the pedal to the floor, she wouldn't rev or have any apparent change in effort.

she has 198k on her, idles decently, starts easily, and fluid levels all seem fine (though the oils a little high). all vacuum hoses and connections appear normal, and both fuel filters appear newish. the car dealer replaced all the injectors (i can see they're new), but she smokes quite a bit when started.

don't imagine it's related, but all the dash gauges seem totally berzerk...the fuel level will read low one minute and full the next...the oil pressure goes straight to the top with any accelleration, and the coolant temp is pegged out to the top at all times.

after reading the manual, sounds like i'm supposed to be suspicious of the turbo, and in general, the fuel injection system / fuel injection pump....

the ductwork / "turbocharger intake pipe" seemed loose, and had a bit of oil in it...as well as on the turbo's "compressor wheel" and i can't tell that the turbo is functional (when i was cruising on the interstate, she didn't really "bolt" when i pushed down on the pedal. i tightened the intake pipe clamps, but she'll still barely move, though with some goosing will rev while in park.

what y'all's diagnosis and best guess? what should i do/check? pls lemme know, i'm freaking out about this impending trip!

__________________
-lee
'83 300CDT (286k)

former proud owner of:
'85 mercedes euro 300TD
'80 mercedes 300TD
'77 mercedes 280e
'80 mercedes euro 250
'82 mercedes euro 250