I'd have to vote for Star-Tron too, usually found at Marine West retailers- it works great. You can also get the larger tank cleaner bottle because you can't over-do the dosage. If there is a problem, the primary (smaller in-line) filter will show signs of collecting junk fast. This is my limited experience talking so be sure to weigh all your options with the guru's. If you start by running an alternate source setup from a smaller container (see link) and if it runs fine without residue, you'll know your tank is the source 'o the junk. http://dieselgiant.com/injectorcleaning.htm

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1985 300D / 175k

WISH LIST
29' HackerCraft - Gentleman's Racer...
http://www.hackerboat.com/html/29__gentleman_s_5.html

Two words

CRUSH WASHERS

After 20+ years they go awful flat and let air in . Usual suspects/crush washer locations are:
-Lift Pump inlet/outlet nipples
-Primer Pump
-Banjo bolts (clean them out also)
-Fuel filter bolt

Will the engine even gasp a little after using teh primer pump-this if orginal, may have gone bad

So to continue the saga, I was checking to see if she would start after sitting for the week and she turned over but would not stay running. Initial Start and imediately spudder and die. Decided to check prime on the manual pump and as I pump I notice that the secondary filter looks less than half empty. As I continue to pump it slowly fills to about three quarters then suddenly empties to about one quarter. This occured one more time then stayed at about half and remained that way. Did notice that is seemed to be qathering bubbles in the secondary filter like a foam. So I am presuming that the issue must therefore be the priming pump. I will look into this issue further this weekend as I will finally have a bit of time to play with it. Thanks for all of your replies.

I assume you mean the primary filter since the secondary filter (the screw on one) has a metal casing.
Since you're pulling thru the primary filter, I think the problem is between the primary filter and the tank. From your description it seems as though the fuel line upstream of the primary filter is taking a gulp of air as you pump the primer pump.
I'd hook an alternative fuel source in a soda bottle to the primary filter, pump it and see if the same thing happens. Or, just try running it on the alternative supply to see if it starts and runs ok.

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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

Sounds like you're creating a vacuum in the fuel line when you pump. Most likely a clogged tank screen as mentioned. A clogged tank vent wouldn't matter with such a small amount of fuel being drawn from the tank. Try removing the line from the screen connection at the tank. Make sure you have a bucket or some kind of container to catch the fuel in. If you don't get a steady stream of fuel out of the screen, it's clogged. You'll have to drain the tank to remove the screen or you'll get a bath when it's removed. You'll need to replace the o ring that seals the screen to the tank once removed, so make sure you've got one before starting the job.

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82 300SD 202K
82 300SD 233K
83 300TD 340K
82 300TD 98k euro (parts on the hoof)
85 300TD 282K
83 300TD 197K

When my 300D started doing this, I found that not only my fuels filters and tank screen were clogged, but I had water in my fuel as well!

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Save and enlarge for explanation of financial crisis!

http://www.mobile-phone-solutions.com Advice on cell phone signal antennas and amplifiers.

So I finally had some time the other day and I decided to try out a few things. A few weeks ago I tried disconnecting the fuel line going into the lift pump and trying to start the car on some fuel out of a fesh source. I guess I did not prime it enough as it would not start. I got rather concerned that the issue must be real bad as it was sucking the fuel to empty out of the fuel source but still not starting. I put everything back together and let it set till I could get back to it again. So back to yesterday. I put 8oz of the Startron in the tank along with five gallons of fuel I had and went back under the hood to prime and the strangest thing happened. The pump suddenly got hard to pump and I could see the primary filter fill. I went and tried to start it and it fired right up. Ran like crap for a while then cleared and ran fine. I took it down to the gas station and topped of the tank and brought it back to the house and parked it so I could charge the battery which had went flat from sitting and let the Startron work on anything in the tank. There is a darker color to the fuel in the primary so I am guessing there is a bit of algea in there but it looks like my primary issue is that my fuel gauge is off. I put five gallons in then topped it off with 14 and a half more.