Its a clogged fuel filter that usually gives me the hesitation hickups on my 190d ,so natural thats what I checked first .Not the case this time ,filters clean as glass, I began to look under the car for any line leaks and found none.It turns out to be pressured fuel seeping passed the fuel cap by the way the rear body panel evidence showed .Changed the cap with another tighter fitting one.Would this give my car a slight stumble during idle? Is something else like a clogging tAnk filter at fault?

When I had a hesitation at 60mph with the cruise on and a slight stumble during idle, the injection pump was failing. Hope that is not your problem.

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Present
1987 300SDL
1991 300SL
1990 560SEL
2001 ML320

Past
1969 200D 1979-82
1983 300SD 1984-85
1972 250C 1982-02
1995 S350 2011
1997 S320 2012

If it is possible get a separate container of clean Diesel Fuel and run some Fuel Hoses so you can draw and return Fuel from the separate Container. If it runs OK like that it is possible you have an issue from that point backwards.

However, that does not eliminate the possibility of a Fuel Supply/Lift Pump issue because you have shortened the distance the Fuel has to be moved making it easier on the Fuel Supply Pump.

It is also possible for your Plastic Filter to be clean and smaller stuff to pass through and and clog the Spin-On Filter.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel