So I did some "diagnostics" on the car today. It died yesterday, over a few miles it started running rougher and rougher until it stopped, will only barely fire when I crank with it floored.

One of the things I did was take loose the ip inlet fitting, and pump the little (still plastic) pump. It didn't pump much stuff, it took over 15 strokes to fill up a quart motor oil cap (roadside diagnostic tools). I am pretty darn sure there isn't an air leak upstream, certainly not one big enough to reduce the fuel to this pathetic little dribble. Do you think my lift pump is gone? If so, do I need just the plunger assembly or more? Would a very dead lift pump not allow the car to run at all (I was under the impression that the IP could at least draw enough fuel itself to run, maybe even drive, just not fast).

Any help appreciated.

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

Pumping the hand primer pump will not tell if the lift pump is bad or not. Since hardly any fuel came out using it. Then the fuel screen could be clogged, empty fuel tank or air in line.

Hook up your purge bottle with diesel fuel in it to eliminate the screen and lines coming from the tank.

http://dieselgiant.com/injectorcleaning.htm

If it still does it then look to the lift pump and primer pump.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

did you try changing the filters?

__________________
1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K

the fuel tank is 3/4 full of ULSD.

The prefilter and fuel filter are less than 750 miles old. I would change them in a heartbeat, however I am at college and don't have a big wrench to take it off. I am looking into borrowing one.

I too thought of the tank screen, especially since I ran out of fuel a while ago, which would put all sediment in there. I didn't have enough fuel lines to make a fuel tank out of a bottle, that'll be done next time I feel like making the three mile bike ride over to where its sitting.

I'm at a loss as to what could take my car from cruising at 80 just fine, to five miles later completely not running. I'll just start eliminating one thing after another...

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

Clogged fuel system is what will cause it.

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

I have a somewhat similar issue with my 87 300d. At an indicated 1/8 tank the car died cruising. Would not even cough when cranked over. On a whim I had my wife drive home and grab 5 Gal can of diesel. I poured it in and then cranked and cranked and cranked... finally coughed and ran, ran smooth the rest of the way home. I'm putting in primary and secondary Fuel filters tomorrow. Car has been sitting for a year or so... Is low on torque and power. Anything else that might be causing these symptoms?

your fuel gauge is inaccurate and you ran out? that'd be my guess, but I have a non working car...

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

Definitely sounds like a clogged fuel strainer.

__________________
"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

lets hope...

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

If you ran out of fuel you could have easily drawn alot of air into your lines. You may not have primed enough with the hand pump. Those are short little pumps and if you've ever bled a bone dry brake line then you know. It can take an awfuly long time to push that air out.

Just my $.02.

T

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

Well it turns out that a lift pump can't draw much fuel if there is a major air leak upstream. I had a cracked hose, that for some reason didn't want to leak fuel, until I mashed it around and discovered it leaking. Replaced the line, now the car runs good.

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

My car stopped running. I changed all of the fuel lines and filters in the engine compartment. Now the hand pump doesn't do anything (didn't really before either). Both before and after the filter/line change their is practically zero fuel in the pre-filter. I am suprised it starts and idles (but nothing more).

It was the lines at the back of the car. All is good now. The lift pump was not bad.

Isn't that nice? Not that you had problems, but that it wasn't anything major. I keep learning that if something is wrong, it is probably something I did wrong, or something you'd expect to fail at least every few years - like fuel lines. The important stuff just keeps going. Good reason to keep a little 5/16 fuel line and a few extra clamps in the trunk.

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

Now take a good look at the belts and hoses. I replace mine periodically -- about every 3 years -- whether they seem OK or not -- and that's ALL of them. I flush & refill the coolant & change the thermostat at the same time. In 25 years as a musician, driving beaters at all hours of the night and day (mostly night), I've never had a stoppage except for flat tires.

It's money well spent to me.