Lately my 124 300TD 603 engine has been holding faster idle speeds on cold starts. And if I tap the accelerator pedal, it runs faster and holds that racier engine speed. Tapping the pedal doesn't un-stick it. If I keep the shifter in 2,3,D all is OK. But in Park it races and stay's raced - but does back down a little. I cringed dropping it into gear. I don't recollect this being how it used to be. This doesn't happen if I start the car for the first time later in the day after the sun warms it up. (I live in Southern CA, so references to cold starts means 40-50 degrees)

I'm also pretty sure it idles a little rougher after starts these days. And sometimes it stalls a second or two after starting. That's not how it was. Accelerator linkage doesn't seem sticky. Small in-line fuel filter is clear. Screw on filter is 10k. Any recommendations on what to check?

Overall the car's in good shape - now 362k - I tend to the basics: dino-oil at 3k, coolant and air in the tires. It's always done 0-60 / 12 sec. But it's always been a dog on long hillclimbs, slowing to 50mph over steep climbs like the Grapevine. Probably should have done Gsxr's ALDA-mod (see super thread: ALDA removal........OM603 (shopforum/diesel-discussion/162744-alda-removal-om603-20.html)) or tried Brian's advice and just removed it. But the 0-60 in 12sec performance keeps me from messing with the "Ain't Broke" rule. And the Alda-mod would only impact below 2000 RPM performance. I've always suspected the hill climbing problem needed an IP recalibration. I've also wondered if maybe my #17 head (used on 350) increased the cylinder sizes on my 300 - requiring more fuel than my stock IP. but overall it's been TD good.