240D little/no acceleration
 

Hi, everyone. I think I need some serious help.

My 1981 240D has been running fine until today. I pulled out of the parking space just fine, but when I shifted to first gear and pressed the accelerator the car didn't want to go. I released the pedal then pressed again; it felt like something had been stuck under the pedal but then had moved, and the car went fine until I reached my next stopping point.

After that, even when I pressed fully on the accelerator I got no power. The car wouldn't go faster than 5 mph, which left an unhappy me driving slowly toward home with hazards blinking. I tried shifting to higher gears; nothing. I tried pumping the pedal; nothing. My mechanic doesn't work today and I don't have another car.

Can anyone tell me what's wrong? Seems like a fuel line or pump problem, but my knowledge is limited.

Thank you for any help!

filters
 

have the fuel filters been changed recently? if not you should start there

With the engine off, have a helper slowly press the pedal to the floor and release. As the helper does this, watch the linkage, starting at the firewall.

You should see that linkage at the injection pump moves the lever from minimum to maximum as the pedal is depressed. Be especially on the lookout for the link that does not move, or binds. If the linkage does not move the IP all the way, figure out why not...

It may be as simple as cleaning, lubricating and adjusting the linkage.

Best Regards,
Jim

Linkage/Fuel Filter/
 

Try the linkage and it that seems to be the problem then start unhooking the pieces by poping the balls out of the sockets one at a time...after each disconnection try the accelerator....It might be algae or a plugged up fuel filter....what does the clear manual pump look like...does it have any black substance in it...If you has a gas engine I would have thought it was your convertor...Jim

Good advice given so far. One way or another it's not getting fuel to the engine.

Is there a possibility that it was misfueled? Check if the fuel smells like gasoline.

Injection Pump, and Primer Pump
 

The primer pump could have a bad seal. I have had this happen to me in my 240d and the same thing happens.

Also, The injection pump may have an internal problem, however, you need to follow the good advise listed above and change filters and check the clip on the trottle linkage to make sure it has not slid out of it's socket. This will have an intermittent impact as well dependent upon where the linkage has vibrated to.

Good Luck!