linkage to injection pump
 

having an intermittant problem with my 83 240d relating to the failure of the linkage to return to the idle position. engine races. getting worse. today had to use the key to stop the engine from running away. popped the hood and indeed the linkage was stuck. pushed it back to idle position with little or no effort. drove on without any further problems. any ideas as to how to prevent further incidents of this type? thank you.

Couple things - take apart, clean and lube all of the pivot points on the linkage. The one on the IP is a pain to get to but it can be done. Don't skip that one. Next start breaking it down to try to determine where the sticking is. You may want to start behind the gas pedal. Look at EVERYTHING between the pedal and the IP. You should be able to find the problem - something is hanging up/binding.

thank you, sir. recall once that gilly suggested using automatic transmission fluid as the pivot lubricant. do i recall correctly? if not, what should i use?

I use ATF on this application and usually go through the pivot points clean/lube procedure every time I change the oil.

maybe that is the root of my problem. lube every oil change. mickey le dunce' lubes only after a valve adjustment. thank you.

The atf is pretty thin and does not stay in there between valve adjustments.

ATF works quite well and isn't nearly as sticky as other lubes.

Recently found a hard to see spring on the i.p. control arm that was broken that helps push the linkage back to idle.