About a month ago, my '78 300D's engine suddenly shut off as I was backing into my parking spot. Had trouble starting it up again and was advised by a mechanic friend to replace the fuel filters, but it still wouldn't start. He came over and we managed to get it started after practically flooring it in park for about 15 seconds to get the engine to run at all and also not shut off. Every once in awhile, when I'm driving really slow (5mph or less and stopped but not in park) the car will shake a whole bunch and the engine will shut off. How do I go about diagnosing and fixing this?

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1985 190D 2.2L 717.411 5-speed
1983 300D Euro OM617.950

It sounds like an air leak into the fuel system.
Maybe you could tell us a bit more about the car.

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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

Could also be a faulty ignition switch sending vacuum to the shut off valve. Pull the brown vacuum line off the shut off valve at the back of the IP between the IP and oil filter housing and see if the problem goes away.

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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