I would try connecting the INPUT from the primary filter to a gallon jug of clean, fresh diesel. With all the stuff you saw in the fuel filters.....well....would you like to try to take a guess what's in your tank? Hard fuel lines?

Also, your model may or may not have a fuel tank screen. I'm not familiar with a w124 300TD

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Given the conditions of your filters, you could try an alternate fuel supply. Put diesel in a soda bottle, run your suction and return lines into the bottle and see if it runs any better. If so, there's probably a fuel restriction upstream from the engine compartment.
How strong is the stream of exhaust coming out the tailpipe? If it's pretty strong, seems to me that there can't be much of a restriction in the exhaust.

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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

After thinking about it a bit, do you think that the injectors are clogged considering all the trash in the filters? Would this cause these symptoms??

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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...

Daw_two and Kerry - Great idea! I do think there is a tank screen in the fuel tank. Bi-passing all that will either eliminate the fuel as a problem, or find the problem. I will try that in the morning.

Since the rpm is in the 700 rpm range the amount coming out the exhaust seems normal. I hit all three chambers on the exhaust with may fist to listen or feel loose stuff inside (indicating internal deterioration), but nothing shook or rattled. Unless there is a big clog.

Is that first one a catalytic? (pic) what is the second one called?

Attached Thumbnails

   

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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...

A muffler.

Don't cut to find the problem, ... you an MD?

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

A muffler? So it has three mufflers including the one in the back?

Thinking out loud here - Could a clogged EGR valve or bad ECU unit do this?
I heard someone talk about a "flapper valve" in the intake? What or where is this? Is it even on this engine- 603?

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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...

That model does have a tank screen. I would replace it given the rust issue.

X2 on running the car from a jerry can of diesel.

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87' 300DT (Grey w/ red leather)
87' 300TDT (silver w/ palamino tex) SOLD

2012 VW JSW TDI (on tdiclub.com all the time "btcost")

Well - I had it running this morning and actually got it to rev up to 2000-2500 rpm somehow and held it somewhat steady for a couple minutes. However, if is lifted of the pedal slightly it would shut-down immediately. I thought the whitish smoke would clear, but it did not by that point.

Before this I opened the butterfly on the MAF thinking it isn't opening while running (still not sure if it is) and put a screwdriver in there to be sure air flow was getting in. Still rough, stalling too easily, and smoking.

I don't think the exhaust is constricted anymore as the car ran the same with the bolt put back in the exhaust manifold, and decent flow coming out the exhaust (visual and my hand on it)

I disconnected the in and out lines from the fuel tank and put them in a clean jar of diesel to see if the issue was flow on the tank side. However, when I tried to start it, it would not. So then I put about 15 psi in the return line with my air hose to see if there was any restriction. When some pressure built, diesel came out the the other line (Light flow). Seems okay

Put it together, cracked open the injector lines (saw few/purged bubbles). Won't start at all now. Charging battery again.

Now I'm thinking it may be timing or IP timing, or a slack chain. I took off the valve cover and the insides look great so far! Dark oil, but no signs of sludge, water, and almost no wear on the cam, timing chain, and sprocket teeth look good. I see the spring for the chain tensioner, but don't know how to test it yet. Car has 143K with #14 head. ihope it is not bad. i have no history on this car so I'm in the dark

Compression test will follow it think, but the engine will be cold. I guess as long as all the numbers are close it should be okay.

Any other ideas out there?? I'm new with these cars, but have learned a lot in just the last week from you guys and these threads.

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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...

I'd still be focusing on a fuel issue myself.

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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

I haven't done anything for a couple days (work). I checked for timing chain slack - the first time round when visually lining up the cam marks, it was right on zero. I did it again, and lined up on 1 degree. Very happy about that. So the chain is not worn.

I spun the turbo blades and checked for movement. All tight and spins nicely

Going back to fuel I guess. I supported a jar of Diesel Kleen to the deliyery and return line. Was able get it to start (difficult), but choked our soon after and will not start again.

I cranked it enough, I think, to get the diesel Kleen in the system. Maybe tomorrow someting will get freed up.......magic right?

This is killing me now. I read somewhere that the ALDA could be faulty and to remove it to see what happens. Sound right to anyone?

What is the best way to check and see if the injection pump is producing enough pressure to the hard lines/injectors?

Or my IP is bad somehow or clogged? anyone?

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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...

PM sent

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

I also think that this a fuel issue. I am leaning towards air in the fuel.

I am going out on a limb here. I am guessing that the PO was using biodiesel in the car. Biodiesel is highly solvent and will clean your tank right up sending everything into your filters. The biodiesel can also be corrosive and eat through the rubber fuel lines. I think that this may be your issue and you may want to start looking for your fuel leak. On the older models the return lines can be a culprit but I am not sure it would give you the extremely hard start, but it could give you the white smoke. Not knowing about all of the fuel lines on this model I would suggest replacing the rubber fuel lines to see how it may improve your situation.

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1998 E320 150,000
1980 300SD 240,000
1965 190D 79,000

I just joined the 87 TDT club myself. Congrats. Let me know if no one offers you the cds. I just got them and can copy and pass them on.

Re, fuel return lines leaking, I had a 91 Jetta diesel that had a big crack in the reuturn line plug on the last injector -- you know the short piece that just has the metal plug in it. You couldn't really see it. The car would not run. Not really sure why -- sucking air maybe through there. Pulled that thing off, cut new piece of hose and put same barb plug in and it started and ran good.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Biopete - Not sure what cd's you are referring to- Let me know. I still think it is fuel as well, but there may be damage to the IP too.

I will be checking for leaks and likely get some hoses as well for good measure

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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...

Referring to the Factory service manual cds. Can't buy em from mercedes anymore.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius