Haha, well it's updated now! Sorry about that, it's been a hectic few days here.

Also TurboBenz is headed up to help me with Norm today, if any of you socal members want to join in on the fun send me a PM and I'll give you directions. The more the merrier! I'm in Valencia, and if you were at the GTG I am less then a mile from the target there.

did you check your exhaust system?
any cracks in the exhaust manifold or restrictions in the pipes will cause a power loss?

__________________
1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

Then why would he regain power every time he changes fuel filters?

He's doing the right thing, I suppose, though he really needs to change the primer pump, as that's probably intensifying any other fuel delivery issues the car has.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

the nut on the bottom of the tank strainer is 46mm. You can get the socket for $5 on ebay, thats how I got mine. I guess VW uses that size for stuff too.

Good luck getting that tank cleaned / filter installed!

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Maybe the thread size is 46mm, but the hex opening is not nearly that big.
Check out what Chad300TDT used to get his out, I just stumbled on this:



Its from this post.
Its a 15/16" spark plug socket turned backwards with an extension.
Slick.
Who says you never need a spark plug socket on a diesel

__________________
1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi
1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now

this must be a wagon / sedan difference.

Here is the sedan tank screen: http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1985%40%401985&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES%2DBENZ%40%4063&modelid=6193%3AMBC%7C1504%3AED%7C10000135%40%40300D&keyword=screen&subcatid=P:240743@@Fuel+Screen&mode=PA

That is certainly 46mm, and different than the screen in the above post.

Here's the wagon tank screen:
http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1627133&itempk=85810&mfr=OES&weight=0.10

dd

__________________
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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Yes the sedans have a giant 46 mm hex on them that needs an equally huge socket. We got one from northern tools and sawed it flat. Works perfect. Cost was like $8 Its a 3/4" drive! So we needed the 3/4" to 1/2" drive adapter too....all of it was less than $20 The sawing job was crooked....(YOU try sawing a GIANT socket in half with a hand-hacksaw! ) I'll clean it up sometime now that I have an angle grinder....can make it smooth and even.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Well there sure is quite a difference between the two screen. I never knew, my experience is only with the wagons. Thanks for pointing that out

__________________
1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi
1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now

This is great, I have an 85 300TD wagon also and have been experiencing what seems to be the exact same problem. I drove back form Illinois to Winnipeg Canada with it, I also have a greasecar kit installed and ran mostly on veg. When the car lost power I would switch back to diesel but it would only give a momentary power boost and still keep chugging along no more that 55 or 60 on good flat open road when its floored. Because it was doing the same thing on veg as it was on diesel I assumed it wouldnt be the tank filter because I have a dual tank for the veg. Its also only been running veg for about 5 months. Im very interested to know what the problem was on Norm and it may give me clues as to what to look for. Any findings yet?
Michael

Norm's issue was solved by replacing the leaking primer pump that was sucking air. He's almost made it home from California without another issue.

I assume you've changed both fuel filters already, and inspected all the lines, and primer pump for leaks?

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

My 84 300D turbo had a similar issue last summer and performing the alda service solved the problem.

http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedesaldaboostsystemservi.htm

You may be on to something.... if Norm had a Turbo.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I think Colin did make it home from CA without any more problems.

__________________
1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

Yes this Alda service will be the first thing I try. When you are talking about the primer pump I assume this is the small twist off Beige (or what is supposed to be white) plastic assembly right beside the engine head? Ive used this a few times when the car satlled and seemed to have air in the line or something. If this is the part in question, I was wondering if there is supposed to be any resistance like a pump should feel when pressing up or down on it? It seems to simply be loose when I unscrew it and I can pump it up and down but I wonder if its actually doing anything. A few times Ive had diesel or veg oil come out onto my hands from somewhere after pumping it but If I were to unscrew it, pull it up, and let go of it, it would fall back down without any resistance. Often I have nothing on my hands after Pumping it 30 or 40 times. I was looking for this part online also and seem to only be finding something that looks quite different like this: http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/D201113591BOS.JPG
And much more expensive than what I would assume. Is there any other name for the part that would give me a better hit?
Thanks all
Michael-Winnipeg, Canada