Hi everyone, new to diesels and don't know what is wrong with my car. I have a 81 Mercedes 300D non turbo, it has almost no power when starting and almost no power at low speeds. Once up to speed it will cruise at 65-70 mph will no problems - will it does slow down a lot going up hills. What could be the possible problems?
Thanks for the help
James

Clogging of fuel and air filters, clogging fuel strainer, or air getting into the fuel system would be my guesses. Also dragging brake shoes (e-brake) or dragging pads.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Welcome to the forum.

The first question that must be answered is what vehicle are you using as a comparison to this diesel?

This diesel has a whopping total of 85 hp. Any vehicle that you have used for a comparison likely has over 150 hp.

So, although checking the items noted above is valuable for any new owner, it's imperative for you to determine if the vehicle has the problem or whether the driver has the problem.

If you do a couple of 0-60 runs on flat pavement, we can determine where the problems lies.

Its a diesel, don't worry you'll get used to it..........................EVENTUALLY.

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

I have a 81 to and they are slow but like mentioned above clock your 0-60mph run so we can get a idea. A video would be real nice as well if you have the capability.

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http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...titled-1-3.jpg
1981 300d

When checking 0 - 60 be sure to carry a calender and a book to read

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1977 300D Lost coolant while someone else was driving
1983 300D Can't run without oil
1985 300SD (gone but not forgotten)
1990 300TE 4matic Sold
1991 Yamaha Venture
1975 Kawsaki 250 triple
1974 Honda 200CL
1951 8N Ford
2008 Wildfire 650C

I believe th 81's still started out in 2nd gear. You can either floor the pedal to engage the kickdown switch to get it to start in 1st or, if, while at a stop, you put the gear shift into first, then back into D, it will start out in 1st gear.

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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

First of all run a 0 to 60 time with a friend and a stopwatch. Remember your only getting about 85HP with a non-turbo motor! Report back. It's kinda hard to help you until you do this!

A valve adjustment would probably help a little. Cant hurt to get the valves adjusted, its very crucial for these vehicles.

besides fuel line problems (which tend also to affect high speeds), the muffler can be clogged up with soot, valves out of adjustment as previously noted, also injector pump timing can be late due to stretched cam chain. Search the diesel forum for your car model and answers to all of these. Check 0-30 time too if you have time, I'd like to see that. 0-30 is critical at stop signs etc. My wife refused to drive a 240d auto I bought her, she said the performance out of stop signs would get her killed. She was right, we bought her a new Cobalt; she has never been a school bus driver like me.

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'80 240D biege "Mercey Bird"
'80 240D light blue "Slug"
'80 300SD dark blue "Theodin"