My '81 300D shut down while going about 75 MPH. Just quit. Now the engine will crank just fine, but the car won't start. Have established that fuel is arriving at the injectors by cracking open the line where it connects to the injector on No. 1 injector and observing fuel leaking out when cranking.

I can't think of anything else that could be keeping the engine from starting. Wondering if the timing chain may have jumped on the sprocket, I thought I would remove the cam cover and see if the timing marks line up properly.

In trying to disconnect the throttle linkage so that I can remove the cam shaft cover, I can't get the ball and socket links on the throttle linkage to separate. Before I bend everything out of whack, I wondered if anyone has had this problem and if there is an easy way to separate them. (Manual says to use a screwdriver.)

Also, does anyone have any other ideas why the engine won't start, which is the fundamental problem?

would you consider checking that the timing chain has not broken? if so, remove the oil filler cap and see if the cam rotates on starter power. on the linkage. use a wide blade screwdriver and pry.

I've checked with the oil cap removed and all appears to be operating properly inside: cam shaft and chain both appear to be in good shape and rotating properly.

Prying with a screwdriver just results in bending the linkage. I can't figure out why those things are so hard to get apart. There's got to be a better way! Any other ideas for separating them?