I just bought a 1982 mercedes 300d turbo diesel that ran well for couple days then it acted like it was out of fuel. a couple days later it started up just fine and ran about 2 miles on the highway and done it again. The engine will catch and run for another minute longer if I put the tranny in neutral and rev the engine up (It spits and sputters like its out of gas then levels out smooth again) but a minute later running under a load or in slower rpm's it dies. Starts up fine when it's cold.

Anyone have any idea as to what's wrong with this car? Even advice on how to diagnose the problem would be appreciated...

pull your gas cap and repeat.

if the problem is still there, pull the crankcase vent off the air cleaner and repeat test.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

if the problem is STILL there, pull the brown vacuum hose off the IP and repeat test...

report back which test stopped the problem.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Er where are you in the world?

Do you by any chance live in a warm climate where algae can grow in your tank?

Do you live in an area where it has rained lots and lots?

Is it possible you've got water in your fuel?

Are you just tipping WVO into your tank by any chance?

In each case => Fuel filters; tank strainer; make sure you're running diesel.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Fuel filters and/or tank vents.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

IDK, fuel filters should show the problem all the time. this coming and going problem makes me think vent/shutoff problem.
either way, lets see what he finds.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Change the primary fuel filter. Its a small inline filter at the driver's side inner fenderwall. I've had the crud settle in the filter and let fuel flow after sitting awhile, only to re-clog soon thereafter.

It's a $3 filter, but if you don't have one immediately available, take the old one off and blow the crud out of it backwards. That will get you on the road at least.

Then change the secondary (spin-on) filter soon after, because whoever sold you the car left the fuel system crudded up.

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Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

I'm about to do the tests its just a pain in my you know what cuz I end up having to tow the car home....