My w123 300d just started dying at stops and dying out while driving. NEVEr a problem in the 8 years I have owned her. It just happened out of the blue..linkage looks good/timing has been good..SIGH! That happened yesterday afternoon, now today she just trys to start w/no firing up..NEVER ever has this happened..

Just changed fuel filters 6 months ago, looks normal in pre filter with some junk in there. My oil may a little low, can that be a cause, low oil in engine?? I was hoping mayby something easy, however my luck has been so good with this car, I suppose a BAD thing (expensive repair) is due.

No leaks at fuel lines/fuel pump/injector lines. Its just weird that for years I can set my watch and stand by this damn car and it ALWAYS starts and runs like a champ. Shouldnt something have shown me that there was an imminant challenge to be foreseen? Do fuel injectors just gum up out of the blue( i do add some cetane and diesel adds)?

Haynes says several things, fuel relay/injectors/timing/valves...AHG!!! I feel like the perrenial Charlie Brown..LOL..Any ideas, I need my daily driver or cant get to work..I will have to have her towed in to indy ASAP if I cant fix or at least try to...



Dakota

W123 300D 193K China Blue "a/c works now, who cares"...!!!

I'd check to see if you have fuel at the injectors while cranking. Could be the IP or the lift pump. Simple test would be see if you have good flow at the return fuel line.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Change the secondary filter.

If that doesn't cure the problem, remove the line from the fuel pump to the secondary filter and run it into a bucket. Crank the engine for 15 seconds. You should have about two ounces of fuel in the bucket in that time period. If not, the fuel pump is the culprit.

BTW, everybody who has a malfunction of the vehicle suffers from the "it never did this before" malady. Kind of reminds me of when a murder is committed in the house down the street............"This never happened in this neighborhood before"..............

Man I can only hope it is that easy. Haynes is scarin me with its replacement or suggested fixes to possible challenges..

I totally understand your "never before" comment, It just sux when that happens..Any other comments would be GREATly Appreciated people. This site forum ROCKS!!!!

I will look into any and all ideas..

Mahalo

Dakota W123 300D China Blue 193K

Do as Brian suggests. You can also set up a bottle of diesel fuel like you are going to do a "diesel purge" to rule out a clogged line from the tank. If you are not getting the fuel from the fuel pump (not the IP itself) I suggest getting a used one to make sure that's the problem. I think new ones are like 150.00 or so? Get a used one for 10bucks at the Upull to check it out.

__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

I went b=vacuum hunting, tightened up all hoses and clamps..Put a bit of WD40 in manifold..cranked Helga up..kick/spit/sputter...EUREKA!!! Started up!

I put in some Diesel Kleen, and still changed out primary and pre filter as brian suggested, ran her out on I-10 for 15 mins @ 80 plus....YEAH!!!

Must have been something loose, I forget how much these babies shimmy and shake...

Thanks to all!!

Dakota


W123 300D "Helga" China Blue 194K

how old are your flexible fuel lines?

They crack on the inside before they show wear on the outside. That's why tightening the clamps worked-- for awhile. You were probably sucking air into your system.

Get some new fuel line, pull an old one on the topside and split it, and check for cracks-you might be surprised at what you see. I sure was!

__________________
Nate Stanley
(Currently Benzless)
1985 F-250 6.9l 170K
2009 SCION XB 36.5K
2003 LS430 78K
2012 Kubota B 2320

lol, its allways funny to see people new to diesel's xD

__________________
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.