My newly acquired 300 D left me stranded 20 miles from home on Christmas Evening. I was drivin right along and I noticed it gradually lost power. I pulled off the interstate and the poor thing started shaking very hard and then it died before I could get off the ramp from the interstate. I tried starting it several times. It would turn over and run for a second or two then shake like crazy and die. I heard a significant amount of rattle over by the air intake housing, above the turbo. It felt and sounded like it was starved for fuel. I changed both fuel filters and it did the same thing. I finally got her towed back home and I am gonna try to figure out what is going on with it tomorrow. Does anyone know what is going on here??

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http://www.libertyagrifuels.com
1984 300D Turbo
1980 300SD Sold
1983 300TD Sold
Dagger 16 ft. Legend Canoe (for the weekends)
Marin Northside Trail Mtn. Bike

Remove the fuel filler cap and try to start it again.

If that doesn't do the trick, then remove the outlet line from the fuel pump and insert it into a clear jar.

Crank the engine for 15 seconds and see how much fuel you get in the jar. Report back.

I agree, sounds like a fuel problem. Do as BC states, the opening of the fuel cap would be to listen for a hissing sound, a vacuum will be created if your vent is clogged. Bell shaped affair in pic.
You may also want to rig up a diesel purge thing to isolate the problem.

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83 SD

84 CD

Are you sure the rattle wasnt valves? If it was me I'd check valve clearances too. Also check the priming pump closely for leaks, return lines as well for leakage.

How cold is it? Gelled fuel?

The slowly losing power is a sign of fuel starvation I'd take fuel cap off swap the fuel lines at the lil plastic filter ruleing out the screen in the tank and look at the return lines maybe put a little piece of plastic clear line see if it's getting air into the system somethings eather restricting or allowing air to get into the system would be my vote. Unless it's gelling didn't mention how cold it was etc.. not likely but possible?

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2004 Infiniti G35 3.5L 6mt Coupe 73K miles 25.6mpg ytd
2001 Green Audi TT 225 AWD Roadster 71K 6sp 30.9mpg >>STOLEN<<
1982 300D Turbo 231K 120hp? 28.1mpg YTD

Same thing happened to me. As mentioned, I switched the fuel return line with the suction line thereby bypassing the screen in the tank and drove off.

Cheers,

Bill

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Cheers,
Bill

Thats a good idea, however I don't think I made my fuel supply line (the rubber piece) to my pre-filter long enough to reach the return... So I'd have a problem.....perhaps I will replace that next time with a longer piece.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Are you sure you have fuel in the tank?

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.