Yesterday, my '81 300TD started accelerating very lethargically. It would eventually get up to speed, but it was much slower than usual.

Today, it simply was not going to get above idle, period. I found that when the throttle pedal was pushed, the firewall side of the regulating lever with damper (in the top center of the photo, just to the right of the little inline filter) turned, but the the engine side didn't. It looks like the damper is shot. It is very soft and has many cracks. If I pulled on the linkage I tied the rear red rope to, it would move the linkage and the regulating shaft moved, sometimes. The front red rope was to operate the throttle to get us home. In addition to the regulating lever damper seeming to be worn, the linkage is very stiff.

Questions: Is the damper shot and in need of replacement or is it supposed to be that soft?
Or, is it just stiff linkage in need of lubrication?
Or, both?



Thanks.

Mike
Tucson AZ

For those of you following this one. Thanks to an amazing 1-day turnaround from Fastlane, I got this one solved this morning. The part is called Throttle Bushing - Pivot Mount W0133-161742. Best $56 performance part I've ever bought. It's like a new car. I've had it since 2006 and it has ALWAYS been sluggish off the line. I thought it was just worn out and turbo lag. Turns out it was linkage-related. Easy-peasy to swap out. I also lubed all the linkage points.

Those bushings are a nice replacement for a failed original. Did that with my ole 300D (w123).

I have my main throttle linkage on my 124 300D held together with two zip ties. Darn plastic ball sockets. I have a new linkage to install.

I call that adding chip to these things lol..

__________________
Jesse.
'80 300sd modded everything begging for more fuel.
'98 f-250 psd, d60 elocker front, intake, exhaust, dp tuner F5 etc..
'70 f-250
'83 242 Volvo project
'66 volvo amazon
'10 fuso FE-180 service truck, welder, compressor, 3500lb crane, oil tanks, etc...

Just did this repair on mine - amazing. The bushing in the firewall had started to crumble. Like a whole new car - very peppy!

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1985 300 D T - Rauchsilber (Smoke Sliver Metallic) with MB Tex Quartz 155 = Cream interior - 320K and counting!

1999 E300 TD - Silver - Just got her 3-13-15 !

the 2nd '83 300SD - Brown Metallic - traded away

1985 Limo Diesel aka "Stretchy" - Sliver - Blue Int - Sold but still in Athens

1983 300SD - Brown Metallic - Sold April 2008

1982 300 D T - Royal Blue with Tan interior - Sold

Gives whole new meaning to "drive by wire"

Glad you got it fixed.