So, in addition to currently needing to replace ball joints, upper control arms, tie rod ends and my clutch master cylinder, now my 82 240d has thrown this at me.

This morning my biodiesel jelled- it got cold quickly and I didn't have it blended high enough w/ diesel. I was late for a meeting, so I tried to start it a couple of times anyway and killed the battery. Warmed it up, got it jumped and got on the road.

Tonight, driving around in a city, it kept losing power in lower gears, or stopping altogether when in idle. As problems do, it only got worse. On the 2 hour ride home, it was completely intermittent- running fine one minute, losing power to the point of shutting down the next (especially when going uphill).

So, my secret is that I've also been mysteriously losing coolant, a sign of a head gasket leak. Does this behavior confirm my suspicions? If not, what is it? Something as simple as air in the system? I already tried the air filter- that's not it.

I would appreciate any advice or simply encouragement to keep this crazy-ass car.

Thanks guys.

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup

I doubt its the head gasket causing your troubles. I went through something similar to this a few months ago, only to discover I had a combination of air getting into my fuel system and a pinhole leak in my expansion tank.

Have you changed your fuel filters and looked for any air/fuel leaks over there?

If it fails particularly when going up hills, the fuel tank strainer may have been clogged by gelled stuff.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Headgaskets are usually a go or no go item. They generally tend to be fine or bad. I would start looking for either a plugged up filter, or loose line that cold be allowing for air to enter your fuel system. You say your loosing power in the lower gears, or prob at lower rpm. Means that your pump is not pumping a sufficient volume of fuel to keep it going.

Is your veggie burner a total conversion or two tanks? Can you run it on just plain diesel fuel tank and see if you can isolate what system it is thats causing your problem?

Loss of coolant could be a head gasket, but usually you'll have other signs of failure, You may have a small leak in your heater core, or a bad bypass hose on the engine. While overlooked allot, they get old, and start to drip a tad, and before you know it you've lost a fair amount of coolant.

Why to keep the car?? Simple.. they are an amazing car and fun to work on. While not overly powered, cheap to run and very reliable when and eye is kept on things. I have a 123 chassis wagon, and while it's the 5 cylinder turbo, the basic vehicle is the same as yours. I've replaced my guide rod bushings, shocks, joints etc. I've got almost 350K on it now, and it routinely goes between WV and NJ allot. Best of luck with Buttercup!!!