Originally Posted by 1stbenznc

Kanoa,

Thanks for this summary and diagnosis! I just bought a non-running 1987 300tdt with 143k. The guy/mechanic that sold it to me said that there IS fuel coming out of the lift pump (he replaced it), but nothing coming out of the injection lines to the injectors - just like yours and some others here. He didn't seem to know too much about diesels and was going to part out the car!! I hope I can get it running,..... and it does run, shift, brake etc

Attached is a picture from earlier this week when I got her home. It was a several hundred mile trip each way

I will be checking the return line for fuel first, bleeding air next, checking the banjo return bolt after that (not sure if mine is the serviceable one) to check the spring length. Not sure where the vacuum lines to the shutoff valve is???? pic of it??? Does my car have a primer bulb?

Worst case, I did find a good used IP for $200 that I bought the day before I bought the car. I hope I don't need it, but it is nice to have an extra.