Hi guys just bought an 85 300D with unknown miles, clocked apparently stopped at 186k in 1998 sometime. When I started to drive the car I couldn't get it over 40 mph. I changed the fuel filters and it seemed to be fine right after I changed them. The day after I changed it it got very sluggish in the morning. The fuel guage my be off, as it seemed to run better after I put five more gallons in the tank that already read 1/3 of a tank, bringing it to 1/2. Any ideas as to what I can do to keep the car from running sluggish, besides changing the fuel filters?

Did the smaller clear filter look black. You seem to have a problem with fuel and I believe it is the strainer in the tank. This will go away if you fill up but only until the fuel is used down to you 1/3 tank then it wil resurface. The best way to address this is to drain then tank and clean/replce the strainer. If you don't get black stuff in the filter then remove the filler cap to the fuel tank and blow air into the hose that connects to the small filter. This will clear any obstruction that might occur. Do so pnly briefly so as not to blow fuel out of the tank.

If you clean/replce the strainer and find it gunked up then be sure to add an algea killer to your tank.

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1977 300D Lost coolant while someone else was driving
1983 300D Can't run without oil
1985 300SD (gone but not forgotten)
1990 300TE 4matic Sold
1991 Yamaha Venture
1975 Kawsaki 250 triple
1974 Honda 200CL
1951 8N Ford
2008 Wildfire 650C

The accelerator pedal linkage assembly often wears or disintegrates to the point that the pedal does not open the control fully on the injection pump. Much of it has to do with the pivot block that mounts on the firewall. The plastic in that thing wastes away and then does not turn the linkage rod fully.

If you push down on the linkage at the injection pump, you can watch how it operates and see how far it goes to get into the fully open position. Then have someone press the accelerator pedal to the floor and see if this section of linkages travels all the way to fully open.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

If you have removed and cleaned the tank strainer, which on my car gave more problems when the tank was below 1/2 full, then do a Diesel Purge. Check out the excellent illustrated description at dieselgiant.com.

The odds are you will not need to replace the strainer. You can almost certainly clean it with dish detergent, degreaser and an old toothbrush to new condition.

To remove it, use a bolt with a 22 mm head and a good pair of visegrips.

After this, a valve adjustment might help.

Good luck!

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Just a comment....don't forget to check and replace your air filter (if necessary)......

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

for the feedback and any other ideas you may have. Just put more fuel in the tank, and it is continuing to run sluggish. How difficult is it to clean the screener in the tank?

First I would see if it is needed. Remove one end of the fuel line at the tank and see what kind of flow you have.

well if you just got it you had better adjust those valves pronto. filters will only get you so far.
check on turbo boost as well. clean banjo bolt, adjust ALDA, etc etc.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Ditto what he said!

I bought my car in Sarasota FL, and drove it back to Ohio. IT TOOK what seemed like FOR-FREAKIN-EVER to get it up to highway speeds on the way, and onces it was, it ran wonderful. Got home. Took it over to a friend's garage. He blew out the boost line and banjo bolt - IT WAS (and still is) A DIFFERENT CAR !!! What a difference...

Good luck.

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Dale