Unless I keep the idle way too high, my 240D is stalling after it gets hot, especially with the AC on, and then won't restart until the engine cools off for a half-hour or so. Also seems to be smoking more than it was. Recently did an oil change and just flushed/changed the coolant, and am working on fixing a vacuum leak at the driver's door lock. Any ideas? Thanks.

__________________
Brooklyn Diesel
'81 240D manual (225,000 mi)

I am assuming you are using Diesel Fuel and not an alternative Fuel.

Random ideas:
Abnormally tight Valve Clearances could be causing the Valves to stay open slightly after they are hot.

While the Valve cover is off line up the Camshaft Gear and Camshaft Bearing tower timing marks with the Piston on the Compression Stroke and take a look at the degrees showing at the pointer on the Crankshaft Dampner. To see how far off your Camshaft timing might be due to Timing Chain Stretch and drive Gear wear.

Another guess something is interfering with your Fuel Delivery to the IP and/or injection of Fuel Into the Engine.
I would try pulling the shutoff Valve Vacuum Hose/Tubing and plug the Hose. To see if for some reason some Vacuum is getting into the system from that worn Vacuum Valve that is attached to the Steering Wheel Lock housing.

Trouble shoot for air leaks.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thanks, will try all of that. But could a vacuum problem only kick in when the engine is hot, as opposed to causing stalls on a cold start as well?

__________________
Brooklyn Diesel
'81 240D manual (225,000 mi)

You are right it does not seem logical but it is so easy to check and rule that out as a possible problem. All you need to do is run the car yank the hose and cover the hose off of the Shutoff Valve and block the hose end with your thumb. If nothing changes than that is not the problem.

If it is a "Wild Goose Chase" it is a very short one.

That is why I said, Random Ideas. I was not entirely looking at the symptoms I was also looking at what else could cause the problem.

I hope someone else has some better ideas. As I am curious to know what the cause is also.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

vacuum has no connection to your idle or starting issues. Sounds like a restricted fuel system, try flushing the tank or running off an aux tank and see if it goes away.

__________________
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.

Thanks, I will try that. It's true that the problem kicked in as the tank was getting down to about a quarter full, but I'm still wondering why a fuel problem would be aggravated by higher temperatures, as opposed to restricting fuel flow from the initial cold start. Any thoughts? Thanks much.

__________________
Brooklyn Diesel
'81 240D manual (225,000 mi)