When I press on my accelerator my car will not move. Even if the car is in neutral the engine will not rev. If I manually depress the throttle it is very sluggish and will not rev unless it is pushed all the way down.
I am new to the diesels and just drove my 79 300td across the country - it ran fine, although it is very slow to get moving. I am afraid I will get rear-ended trying to move in traffic Now, it will not move at all, it idles fine.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it seem to be "starving" for fuel? Need more details. Almost sounds like your fuel filters need to be changed.

When I press on the accelerator it stumbles a bit, but the rpms still will not rise much above idle. Sorry, this is my first diesel, so I don't speak the language very well yet.

Well i'd start by checking and changing my fuel filters..main and inline... see what happens from that point.

Breath. Try and breath. I did a search and see that you fiddled with your ALDA and possibly broke it. Before or after? I ask for the benefit of others. I don't have a turbo, and do not understand an ALDA's operation enough to know if it is a factor.

Had the car been driven much before your road trip? Did this start happening near the end of a tank? If the car was dormant for long awhile condensation could have formed and the newfound warmth from an extended run probably caused an algea bloom. You'd be amazed how rapidly that stuff can grow. As Tom opined: clogged fuel filters. There is a clear plastic fuel filter on the driver side of the engine. Can you see through it, or is there nebulous, dark, diesel impeding matter inside?

__________________
'78 300D 310K Maple Yellow / Bamboo
'87 300D 81K Barolo Red / Safron (RIP @ 113K)
2003 E320 34K Pewter/Charcoal
-------------------------------------

Some of these cars have rubber connectors and mounts in the accelerator linkage. I'd start with checking the linkages.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Thanks for the help, I believe I broke the ALDA, and that is when the problems started, however the car has always been extremely slow off the line. The car has not sat dormant as far as I know. It drove great from Minnesota to Salt Lake with the exception of slow acceleration.

i am new to this also but yesterday i popped some linkage to replace the return lines. today it was sluggish and had a lot of pedal play before acceleration. i opened the hood and found the popped linkage disconnected.

Have a helper operate the pedal. Press slowly to the floor and let up.

BTW, DO THIS WITH THE ENGINE OFF!

Observe what the pedal moves, and particularly at the Injection Pump.

When the pedal is on the floor, a linkage arm at the IP should be resting on a mechanical stop, able to go no further. If there is room for the pump linkage to go further, such as pulling/pushing/rotating by hand, it's not properly adjusted.

Let us know what you find.

Best Regards,
Jim

check the tank screen.

__________________
1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

Thank you for the help

ok- I have readjusted the linkage, changed the prefilter and main filter, and I still have the same problem. I step on the accelerater and it stumbles a little then barely rises above idle. It never gains any rpm. Any other suggestions!!!

I would agree with checking the tank screen.

Hmmmm--maybe the vent for fuel tank as well. Just a thought.

Cheers,

Bill

It's a good thought. Try testing it with the fuel cap removed.

__________________
'78 300D 310K Maple Yellow / Bamboo
'87 300D 81K Barolo Red / Safron (RIP @ 113K)
2003 E320 34K Pewter/Charcoal
-------------------------------------

replaced the ALDA???
If it has not been replaced or repaired; fuel starvation will result.

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Any suggestions as to where I might find a replacement ALDA?
Thank You!!!! You have all been very helpful.