Assuming you have the new style pump (black plastic shell), is the fuel running down from inside, down the shaft - in other words, can you see where it is coming from?

I ask because there are two little hose clamps on the short bit of fuel hose that runs from the clear filter into the lift pump assembly, and these can come loose and result fuel in the area.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

had a chance to look better, pretty sure it is right at the pump and not the 2 hoses, and no not black, clear/opaque plastic, maybe original for all i know.

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"NEW" 1984 300D TD needs some love

Bergsma sells a couple of solutions to this. The first is an "improved" primer and is not too unreasonably priced then the second is a auxiliary fuel pump kit that would assist the lift pump, he says it is especially useful when bleeding lines or putting in new filters and claims if your lift pump is worn that this would help improve performance some as well as make service intervals on fuel filters to be longer. That kit costs around $200+ once you get the pump for it.

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

Congratulations on your lovely collector item .

Seriously, that is the original style pump. Install a new one. There is a DIY in the tech articles, it isn't difficult apart from the tight quarters.

Make sure to remove the existing copper washer when you take off the old pump, and make sure you install the new one with the washer that comes with it. If you forget and leave the old washer there (easily done), it WILL leak from word go.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22