This is what I really don't understand though... I'm screaming down the interstate at 85mph and everything is fine, but then I hit the brakes as I am coming off an exit ramp and that's when the air seems to get sucked in... It doesn't sound quite right to me.

__________________
1985 MB 300D/T

Fell off the WVO bandwagon when people started trying to charge $2.50 a gallon for dirty vegetable oil.

It doesn't sound right to me either, there is something going on that we don't understand. I know it's a PITA, but I would probably start by getting rid of all the WVO hacks and restoring the original configuration.

One of mine went through a period of hell with a crappy fuel tank. Always had water problems and plugging filters frequently due to rust flakes, etc. It would run well on the highway, but when I would come off the highway, and go to take off from a traffic light or whatever, the engine would fall on its face (lose most of its power). I have not commonly heard others describe the same symptom, however. Quite often, they will say that with plugged filters, it will not develop full power on the highway, even though it may idle OK. Seems like every one of these cars has its own little quirks.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I agree. Get a set of hardlines from a parts car and at least see if it helps with the problem.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

It looks to me from your picture that there is something wrong with the routing of your fuel lines. The output line from the primary filter should not be going directly to the secondary filter. It should go to the lift pump with the output line from the lift pump attaching to the secondary filter where the line from your primary filter is currently connected.
At least this is the way mine is set up and as far as I have seen, every other one.
How is your lift pump currently plumbed into the system? No filter before it and pushing thru the primary filter to the secondary?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Yep, good obsevation. Fuel line routing is incorrect.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

reason being my WVO stuff. I need to be able to switch between SVO and diesel. I suppose I could throw the strainer between the hard fuel pipe and the solenoid... It would probably give me more working space in that small area.

__________________
1985 MB 300D/T

Fell off the WVO bandwagon when people started trying to charge $2.50 a gallon for dirty vegetable oil.

Where is the lift pump in your setup? The standard set up has the lift pump pulling fuel through the primary filter. It looks like yours has to be pushing fuel through the primary filter. I believe this change could be a problem.
Why would you want it set up the way it currently is?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

AAAaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

What he said.

Also, where is that return line going??? It seems to be heading towards the front of the car, rather than the back.

What the aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh meant, was that the system should be replumbed into its original configuration before doing any more diagnostics because there are too many unknown factors to be discussing without having the whole system in view.
If the problem is resolved by returning to the OE configuration, the additional features can then slowly be added back on to see which one is causing the problem.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Palangi, Craig and Kerry Edwards, of course you are right, and I will eventually get around to pulling it all out... But right now even if I did pull it all out, I don't have any interstate to test on without making a 30 minute drive just to get to the interstate then add in the time to do my testing and the trip back home... I don't deny that it is the right way to do it though. I just won't have time to do it for awhile.


Kerry, the return goes to a solenoid first. I have some excess hose in there that I intend to shorten... eventually...

__________________
1985 MB 300D/T

Fell off the WVO bandwagon when people started trying to charge $2.50 a gallon for dirty vegetable oil.