Hey guys, great forum here with lots of useful info. I tried to search for an answer before posting but I came up short on any definitive answers.

I bought a 91 350SD (engine replaced my MB @100,000K) and it ran flawlessly from the point that I picked it up in Oregon, drove it to Alaska and ran great for most of the winter.

The problem I have found is the IP is started leaking, which I will fix as soon as I get home from a trip im currently on. However the car will not start if it has sat with the nose up (like a driveway) for more than a minute or so.

So my issue is fuel starvation....is this caused by the leaking IP??? Im assuming it is allowing air into the system....or is there a lift pump that has gone bad?

The car starts just fine on level ground.

Also what are the symptoms of bad Transmission Mod valve? I was stranded a few months back on the highway when the trans decided to shift into neutral out of the blue, then acts normal, then shifts late....early etc..... im being told its the modulator valve.

The trans has the classic static leak when sitting.

Sorry if these are newbie questions, im well versed on toyotas and other vehicles, but the MB and any automatic trans is sort of a mystery to me.

Thanks in advance


Luke