My 82 300D is probably overdue for a valve adjustment (I say overdue because the odo is broken; plan to get it fixed while the car is in storage over the winter). It's got lousy accelleration ("feels" fuel-starved) over about 45 MPH, though it still starts immediately and runs fine up to that speed. I've ruled out some of the other common causes for the issue thanks to the forum like the fuel filters and a clogged tank screen, so I'm hoping the valve adjustment will put things right.

Question--will I risk any harm to the engine if I continue to drive it between now and my service appointment next week?

Thanks, all.

Charlie

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)

That doesn't really sound like a valve adjustment issue. How easily does it start when it's cold?

No. Any longer and maybe. Sounds like non valve adjust issue to me.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

The car starts up immediately with one glow cycle--no problem at all. (This morning it was about 35 degrees.)

And it runs just fine around town (under 40 MPH). The problem is very noticeable on highway on-ramps, or accelerating when I'm already going more than 45 MPH or so and the tranny downshifts to accelerate.

Maybe just wishful thinking on my part that it's a simple as a valve adjustment? Here's what I've done so far, thinking it was a fuel problem:

1. Checked oil and tranny fluid--both normal.
2. Changed fuel pre-filter, even though there was no visible debris; no change in performance.
3. Swapped the intake/return fuel lines under the hood to check for a clogged tank strainer; no change in performance.

Any other ideas? Thanks.

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)

Replace the secondary fuel filter.

Also, check/clean your banjo bolts and fuel lines going to and from your ALDA, and the switchover valve on the firewall. My car had the same symptoms until I cleaned out thia system. I could hardly even get up hills. It was terrible and dangerous...

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1989 300E 144K

Not valves. A good 617A will start at 40 dF with no plugs or glow cycle, but NO AMOUNT of plugs will start it with tight valves.

As mentioned, you have either an ALDA system (plugged line, broken line, defective solenoid, etc) or fuel delivery (tank strainer, pre-filter, main filter) problem.

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

Thanks, all.

Tomorrow I'll install tomorrow and at the same time inspect/clean the ALDA system. Will report back.

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)

I would put money on this. I experienced a similar issues a month ago - changed the spin-on filter and problem solved.

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'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
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"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

Excellent--that's an even easier/cheaper fix than a valve adjustment!

(Which I'll still do, of course...)

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)

x2, you are describing classic symptoms of a clogged fuel filter.

Valves would result in hard starting, but adjust them anyway if they're overdue.

Stopped on the way home to fill up with diesel. With a full tank, the problem went away! Sounds now like it's more likely an issue on the tank side... but I've had the tank topped off since this problem first developed and that didn't help before.

I'll still change the secondary filter tomorrow and report back.

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)

It might also be an air leak, do you see bubbles going through the first filter when it's running?

Did you ever change the rubber fuel line hoses near the fuel filter? Mine were cracked and when the car moved, they opened and sucked in air. Replaced those for 3 bucks problem solved.

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Strelnik
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1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Got the wrong filter! (This happened last time I changed it, as apparently this car has a non-standard setup.) Phil knows the size I need, so I'll order one from him now. Likley will arrive tomorrow.

Also will replace the rubber fuel lines. Might have to use up some of the fuel in the tank to see if the problem returns.

Nope, no bubbles moving through the pre-filter.

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)