Hey there,

My 1985 300D has been running like a top, but lately I've noticed its power declining when I'm climbing a grade. On the flats, it runs tip-top. I'm living in a new area so I don't have my trusted mechanic who would look it over for free before I dived in, so I thought I'd check with the online pros.

I used to be able to chug right up a 7% grade for a couple miles and keep it above 65MPH, but the other day I could barely keep it at 45 and the engine started to chug mildly, like it was missing.

Someone suggested it may just be old, tired plugs. They haven't been changed in a while so that's probably a good place to start regardless. I'm going to start fiddling in the next day or so when I have the time, so any other easy things to check would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Chip

Replaced any fuel filters lately?

Sooner or later, someone will suggest that you replace the distributor cap and rotor. Or the coil.

Plugs have nothing to do with power. When's the last time you replaced the fuel filters? Air filter? Cleaned the banjo bolt?

Sixto
87 300D

Between those comments and a little more poking around, I think I have a good checklist of things to work on. I'll report back my results!

Chip

It'll be sooner...........judging from recent observations of the stupidity on here.

Plugs are way down on the priority list, mainly because they only seal the block on these diesels from the casting machining process. What has been stated is what needs to be addressed first, and it will stay with the fuel delivery system through most of the testing/fixing process. Hope it's just he filters, mine was.

__________________
1985 300D-189k The 'UD', Ivory and Pinkamino
1979 300D-211k Dark Gray, Parchment
A 1980 Harley-~166k and
A 1994 Ford diesel pickup-349k and
A 1990 gasser Volvo wagon-145k

Did you cure the problem? I'm starting to have the same problem. I cleaned the banjo bolt, changed fuel filters, gave it an Italian tuneup and it is still giving me the hesitation blues going uphill although a bit better.

__________________
85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

You fellows are not getting junk fuel are you? Just a thought.