1983 300SD. Went to start the car and it started up right away, ran for about 5 seconds and then died. Could not start it. i poped the hood and used the hand pump to see if I can get some fuel going. Sure enough the car started and ran fine all day (Starting on the first try a couple of times). Next morning the car started and ran for a few seconds and died. Went through the same procedure and it started. What is going on?

Did you see air in the Clear plasic lines by any chance?

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Yeah, It could be air in the lines, you can bleed them out by loosening the bolts one at a time on the canister fuel filter housing. And pumping the hand pump.

Also, When was the last time you replaced your filters? They could be clogged.

Or, your fuel pump itself is at fault, not very likely but it could happen.

Thank you guys. I was thinking that the filters may be clogged so i will start there first. The lines seem clear. I guess that I am looking for a more complicated problem as most of us do. Fuel filters = simple fix. I let you know what happens.

Replace the suction side fuel line, too, it's likely leaking air in.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!