Stalled while driving then restared
 

Hello,

87 300TD 0m603 240k

Conditions: 30 degree Fahrenheit; 1/4 tank of fuel; car fully warmed up (95-100c); on the expressway for about 1 hour and then hit some congestion - had just slowed to about 35mph - accelerated but no power, engine stayed on for about 5-10 seconds then cut out completely - coasted to the side of the road waited 20 seconds and started right up and drove home (haven't driven since). Earlier in the day I think I felt it lose power but didn't stall.

The car had just returned from the mechanic who had run diesel purge through it - both straight from bottle and in the tank - there was still some in the tank when the above happened. PO had changed all fuel filters within the last year.

Qs:
1) Any chance this is not fuel related ... i.e. electrical (I'm guessing no)
2) Could use of the Diesel Purge loosened stuff up and then it got caught up in the filters/injectors (but it did start and run right away after stallling).
3) Cold temp (it was below freezing, but not THAT cold) have anything to do with it?

Of course, I'm only looking for generalities here - I know i can't get a definitive answer on my problems (automotive or otherwise - I've got a few teenagers I've got some questions about too). So really my questions are is there any likelyhood it is not fuel related? and have people experienced problems after using Diesel Purge (beyond any problems before) --- (we used the Diesel Purge to cure some cold start smoking issues and just to keep things clean - I haven't had this problem before - but also only driven the car about 500 miles).

Thanks.

As far as Diesel Purge, I've never experienced anything like that. However, after the treatment, I replace the fuel filters. So, if any algae or any other foreign matter was already existing in the filters, it's possible they got plugged. But to be able to start and drive home is odd. How far was the drive home from where it stopped?

I never had the engine cut out on me when the engine lost power. You can always feel it when it starts to lose power. It was always a clog secondary filter. I changed it on the road side and I am on my way.

I would start looking at the primary/secondary filters. Change them regardless and look at loose hose clamps since a diesel purge was done.

Good luck.

Hey thanks for the quick reply. I'll look at/replace those filters and the lines. It was another 10 miles or so home.

Why was the purge done?

OK, let's everybody understand this about a diesel fuel filter.
TIME/MILEAGE IS IRRELEVANT TO THEIR NEED TO CHANGE!!

a fuel filter can last 25,000 miles, or 6. it depends entirely on the quality of fuel put in the car, and the condition of the fuel tank in the car!

a fungus problem or trashy fuel can plug a filter in 10 seconds flat.

also, if a diesel purge is properly done, the fuel filters are trashed, so they should be changed immediately after the purge.

Thanks again - my mind is at ease a bit now. It really sucks having the car shut off while moving - seems like a common occurrence when I was kid ;) - but today driving is that much more intense and the people behind you are that much more impatient (plus I didn't grow up around New York). I'll get on those filters.

The Diesel Purge was to help treat a smoking at cold start issue and just general maintenance since I just got the car.

X 2 - After I started centrifuging my WVO, filter changes went from about every 6,000 miles to "I can't remember the last time I changed it."

When fuel sender came apart in the diesel tank a couple of months ago, it released a bunch of crud and I had to change the secondary filter a few times and the main filter once.

Just changed the smaller filter in the engine bay - yes, it was pretty bad - and some nasty stuff came out of the lines/filter (ran into some trouble with leaking fuel after...but that's a separate post). Any advice to changing the bigger, canister filter - looks easy enough except doesn't seem to be a lot of room to remove it with all the other lines and such around it?

I keep 2 sets of filters in the trunk with tools to change. Fortunately I've only needed 1 set of filters at a time.