My trusty wagon began idling very rough, like a growl, and when I shut it down it no longer shuts right off. When it does, it sounds like most of the parts drop into the oilpan or onto the garage floor.

This started right after the primary fuel filter plugged on dinodiesel and starved the IP etc. At first I didn't notice the plugged filter and tried to limp it home a half mile. On a slight hill it started to die so I went for neutral and put it in reverse instead. It squealed to a halt and died. I limped the biobenz home, changed the filter, bled the lines and it's running as usual now, except for the growl at idle and the sloppy shutdown.

I tightened the rack damper bolt a bit, gave it a little more alda and upped the idle by @50 rpm, but it still growls at idle and shuts down rough and delayed.

Any ideas? It's my wife's daily driver. She's outta the country for a few weeks and will prolly hand me my butt if I can't get it fixed before she returns.

Thanks

Vac pump about to take a *****? Please elaborate about the sound of parts dropping. What parts?

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1989 300E 144K

The TDT always shut down immediately and quietly. I don't know what parts are making the noise at shutdown, but it's a major 'clunk' on final shutdown -- like a brick dropped into a bathtub. That help?

You may have performed the feat when going into reverse when moving forward. Separated old motor or transmission mount is a good place to check.
Also sounds like engine moved around enough to affect the shut down circuit for the engine somehow. Or get someone else to turn car off with your head under the hood. Listen carfully you might locate the clunk. Pay attention that the header exhaust pipe is not loose and banging as well at the bellhousing area.

Also, check your air cleaner. Sometimes they clunk when the mounts go bad. They make a much bigger noise that one would think. Also, could be your engine mounts, or the engine shocks in particular.

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1989 300E 144K

Thanks all!