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  #1  
Old 03-28-2010, 09:45 PM
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First breakdown/tow in the 300TD. Fuel issue maybe?

So, I had to tow my 1984 300TD home tonight. It ran fine on the way out. Sat for a few hours on a hill. I could get it to crank, but the only way I could keep it running(very roughly) was to keep the pedal on the floor. I'm totally new to these cars but I'm guessing it's some kind of fuel problem? The fuel filter is pretty new, it was changed when I bought the car about 6 weeks ago. It has trouble firing right up on the first time. I either have to try 2-3 times to get it to crank, or keep some pressure on the accelerator to keep it idling when it's cold. Not sure if those starting issues are related to my current problem.

Any ideas?

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  #2  
Old 03-28-2010, 09:49 PM
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Tank screen or..

Tank screen or.. fuel filters would be the first things to check, tor see if the primer pump is leaking. Then check the glow plugs.
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  #3  
Old 03-28-2010, 10:34 PM
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Sounds like an air leak. Try pumping the primer pump a bunch then try starting it. If it fires up then and stays running I'd suspect an air leak either in the fuel lines or in the primer pump. You could also have a clogged tank strainer. For that you can try swapping the supply and return line in the engine bay. If you can run it that way you fuel tank screen is clogged.
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  #4  
Old 03-29-2010, 12:31 AM
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X2 for air leak.
If you keep your foot on the gas, does it eventually (after several minutes) start running properly?
Have the valves been adjusted?
Have the GP's been taken out & bench tested?
Have you tightened all the clamps on the flexible fuel lines?
Does it blow smoke while running rough? If so what color?
Are you running on straight diesel?
Has a updated primer pump been fitted?
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1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #5  
Old 03-29-2010, 01:18 AM
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With an anal enough maintenance regimen....these cars should essentially never leave you stranded. I routinely replace my fuel filters, check the tank screen, inspect line condition....check for leaks.....etc...and I've never been stranded/let down by my car in 7 years/nearly 90k of driving it.....
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  #6  
Old 03-29-2010, 07:17 AM
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I kept my foot on the pedal for a couple of minutes trying to get it to come up to temp to see if it calmed down once it was hot. I got it about halfway to 80 on the gauge (~60?) but it never calmed down and died if I eased off the throttle at all.

I'll try priming it and also swapping the lines tonight and see if I get anywhere. The day before, I tried to tighten up some of those brass bolts around the fuel filter. It looked like I was leaking a little diesel in that area so I gave them all a snugging. Not sure if that could have played into this issue or not.

Thanks for the tips...
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Old 03-29-2010, 07:46 AM
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Brass Bolts?? you must be talking about the primary filter & the fittings on the lift pump. Have you changed the secondary filter, the canister one up front near the power steering pump?
I am starting to think maybe blocked secondary filter or even blocked injector.
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1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #8  
Old 03-29-2010, 07:49 AM
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Is the secondary filter the one that's clear plastic, or is that something else? I am not sure if the secondary filter was changed or not.
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Old 03-29-2010, 07:55 AM
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Bingo !!! We may be onto something here. The plastic one is the primary one. The secondary one is the more important one. Its a metal canister, its up high near the front of the motor near the power steering pump on the drivers side. There is a large bolt through a alloy bracket that holds it on. See if you can find it. You need to fill the new canister filter with fuel before you put it on to save on bleeding.
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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #10  
Old 03-29-2010, 07:59 AM
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OK, thanks for correcting my terminology, like I said, I'm a newbie. Both filters look pretty new. It was around the secondary filter where I saw some diesel leaking and tightened the bolts. The gasket on that filter looks a little bulged out around the edges. Is there a way to check that filter to see if it's good?
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  #11  
Old 03-29-2010, 08:03 AM
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Exclamation

It looks like this. Not exactly the same as this is for a w124, but near enough.
Attached Thumbnails
First breakdown/tow in the 300TD. Fuel issue maybe?-sec-fuel-filter.jpg  
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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #12  
Old 03-29-2010, 08:08 AM
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When you pump the priming pump, its near the primary filter. You should hear a buzzing noise from the IP as the fuel passes through the pressure control valve on the engine side of the IP. If you dont or the primer pump is hard to pump, its a good sign of a dirty secondary filter. Its best to just change the secondary filter any way.
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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #13  
Old 03-29-2010, 12:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by layback40 View Post
When you pump the priming pump, its near the primary filter. You should hear a buzzing noise from the IP as the fuel passes through the pressure control valve on the engine side of the IP. If you dont or the primer pump is hard to pump, its a good sign of a dirty secondary filter. Its best to just change the secondary filter any way.
I had to keep pumping the priming pump for longer than I thought. My 1982 300TD sprayed diesel on me while I was pumping, but eventually I heard the buzz and was able to get it started.

I just drove a very questionable 300TD 450 miles. I highly recommend picking up some latex gloves at the parts store if you're going to me changing fuel pumps on the side of the road.
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  #14  
Old 03-29-2010, 02:17 PM
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Is it safe to buy the fuel filter they sell at Advance Auto? I was thinking of picking up one on the way home in case that's the issue.
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  #15  
Old 03-29-2010, 02:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by byronnash View Post
Is it safe to buy the fuel filter they sell at Advance Auto? I was thinking of picking up one on the way home in case that's the issue.
I used 2 of the clear in-line ones and 2 of the canister ones on the way home.

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