Tank filled this morning

The car was being driven on the highway 65-70 mph when there was a pulsing in the power and then little or no power as the RPM's slowed the car did not shut off. Exited the hwy and took a side road. After exiting the car ran normally.

I was not driving the car so this is second hand from my wife. She said that the temps stayed at 80 and the oil pressure pegged at the top. Yes, she is that good!

When she got home and told me about it I went out to the car and all seems good. Starts normally and revving does not hesitate. Filters are about ready for a change (truthfully, it's probably well past a proper date). It did not rev up on the hwy at speed, so I think it is safe to say it is not a transmission slip issue, it is definitely a power issue.

So, fuel system, no? Culprits?

Filters (either, or both)
Strainer
Bad fuel (this is my normal filling station, so they could have received a bad batch, but I've never had this problem before)

I cannot recreate the problem until I take it to the hwy since it doesn't seem to happen anywhere else.

Suggestions? Opinions (car related only please)? Step by step procedures with HD pictures? I'm asking for possibilities and/or stories of similar situations that were rectified with a perfectly working car like it was in the 1980's. (It is a wish list)

Thank you all

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1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

I have seen intermittently sticking fuel pump valves cause similar symptoms.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

When the Fuel Filter start to plug in normal use it starts to limit your High rpms first.

Of course contaminated Fuel can plug up filter fast stop you within Minutes.

I would change the Fuel Filters and properly bleed the system and see what happens.

It is possible for it to be the Fuel Tank screen but the typical first step for a loss of Power on a Diesel Engine is to Change the Fuel Filters and even the Air Filter.

More info on how:
DIY Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thank you TF, I hope that's not the case though

Diesel 911

Then I doubt it is contamination. The car was filled and drove round trip about 30-40 miles and then back again. On the return trip home leg is when it happened so it would have been about 50 miles into the new fuel.

I thought about the tank screen, but the car is an everyday driver and I use an additive semi regularly due to the low sulfur diesel. That stuff (the name escapes me at the moment) is suppose to keep any growth from happening and I can't see how any condensation or water would get into the tank.

Thank you for your reply as well.

I will change the filters promptly and then road test it to see if I can replicate the scenario.

I will let you know the results when I get them.

__________________
1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

Have you updated the primer pump?

Check the throttle pivot mount, may be getting ready to separate..

Could also possible be the vacuum switch on the ignition..

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Agree, Start with the filters; if it still does it, you can swap the return line with the main line and see if the problem goes away. This basically will return the fuel through the tank screen, and take fuel from the return line. I'm not for certain where the return line normally enters the tank, at least quarter tank should be fine.

I had this issue last year and discovered the tank screen was covered with muck and sludge. Power loss and then it would catch as the demand for fuel decreased after I let off the throttle.
Hope this helps.

To get a feel for what your filter might look like, consider taking out the fuel sending unit. Remove the firstaid kit, disconnect the plug and unscrew the sender. Carefully remove the lower nut to remove the aluminum tube to expose the element and float. Any crud accumulated could indicate similar crud on your tank screen. Carefully clean the wire element and reassemble. Should be able to reuse the sender seal, but might want a new one on hand just in case.

Mike

This the 80 or 84?

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Most probably the one not marked "SOLD."

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Hah.


I would highly suspect something ALDA related, particularly if power cycling fixed it.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Yes, it is the 84!

On the wagon, after removing the sending unit, you can see the screen on the bottom if you use a bright enough light, and depending on how full the tank is.

Last time I was in there, maybe 7 mos-yr ago to take apart and clean the sending unit, the screen looked really clean.

Thank you for the feedback. Filters first.

__________________
1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

I do not know which one is updated, I'll have to research that. My 80 had the white pump and this one has the black push button type.

Pivot mount looks to be solid and I'll have to look into the vac issue, though I'm not having any other vac related problems.

__________________
1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

If the Black one is Rubber coated and you only have to push down on it that is the New Style Hand Primer.

There is an aftermarket Company that still makes the Old Style Hand Primer and it has a hard Plastic Knob that is Black or Brown so the Color is not always the best way to define if you have a new or old style Hand Primer.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I definitely have the push down primer that doesn't need to be loosened and tightened like the old style.

__________________
1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

My vote is still overboost. Has it happened again?

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42