Hi again folks,

It looks like the majority of my vacuum problems have been fixed by rebuilding the pump- thanks for all your help!

Now I am very concerned about the engine being very loud at higher speeds and RPMs. I know diesel engines are inherently louder than gas, and that doesn't bother me. What concerns me is that the engine sounds like it is straining to maintain speeds higher than 45 mph. The engine is operating at 3000 RPMs at about 63 mph, which I have learned from this forum is average. But the engine sounds like there is another gear into which the trans should be shifting, although I can clearly hear it shift through all four gears. It's like I am pushing her to accelerate past 45 and maintain higher speeds. I get worried that it's too much and she's going to break down.

Although I've done a lot to the car (replace all filters, oil change, diesel purge), I have not yet done a valve adjustment. Since I bought her only 6 weeks ago, I don't know when one was last done. It's almost winter where I live, so I have garaged the car for the winter. I will be driving her from time to time during the Winter months though. I'd like to have some idea of what might be wrong so I can plan to work on it come Spring. Would a valve adjustment ease this stress on the engine? What else can you suggest?

Thanks,
Avery

'85 MB 300D Turbo, 254K miles