First off, odds are you haven't been overly screwed over. It does sound exactly like a clogged fuel filter or strainer. So definitely change those first and let us know what happens.

 

Cleaning the banjo bolt is a 10min job, so hopefully it's that. Also check the line isn't cracked. I've done that and it turned the whole car into a sled till I fixed it.

Does the engine rev normally?
When messing with the throttle linkages I left the nut that connects the rod coming from the firewall to the linkages above the Alda loose so I had no power. It pivots on 2 nuts and is connected to the STOP linkage.

Have you checked the Fuel filters? Air filter?
My inline filter got crudded up quickly.

Breathe easy as well, buddy. The mileage isn't that high, you seem happy with the overall condition. This is probably going to end up being something small and cheap to fix.

 

you did not mention huge clouds of black smoke behind you, so it is not a turbocharger or intake leak.

like they said, probably something really simple.

 

clean the banjo bolt.

there are two fuel filters. one inline one, you'll see should look like this

then another filter that looks like this

If the previous owner thought he was cool and was going to just dump WVO in there, or just completely didn't believe in basic maintence, then odds are these will be clogged.

 

First of all - dont panic. Be thankful you got home. You have a 30 year old car - you dont know where its been all that time. So begin with the basics. Take out the air filter, U-elbow and start it up. Make sure its not clogged in there. Then go to www dieselgiant com and follow the procedures in purging your diesel engine - except dont buy that Purge chemical yet. Use regular Diesel. That way - you eliminate the possibility of a dirty tank/strainer.

If those two dont make your engine rev better - try replacing those 2 filters mentioned in previous posts. Oh - check your oils (tranny and engine oils). Be careful revving the engine with the u-elbow removed. The above steps should get you to at least cruise to 65 MPH.

If all above fixes your sudden loss of power issue - then and only then you should worry about getting more power out of the engine (turbo health/wastegate hoses/alda)

 

Drizzy. Thanks for ruining my day.
That engine bay looks like the inside of a Bugatti. Nice fuel lines and now I feel sick.

 

ahahahaha found those on google.


trust me, mine isn't exactly shimmering.

 

I'll agree with those that mention to calm down and do the cleaning, replacing routine, go from there.

 

Look up how to bleed air out of your Fuel Supply System and how to bleed th Fuel Injection Part of the system (between the Fuel Injection Pump and the Injectors; just loosen the Fuel Injection Line Nuts at the Injectors until you can see Fuel out of them).
Could be:
Plugged Filters (change them, if your Car runs normal for a while and reverts back you have something growing in your tank and that is plugging the filters.)

Plugged Fuel Tank Screen (drain you tank and pull the Screen with a 46mm or 1-13/16 Socket also unless the Fuel Outlet Hose looks really good change that.)

Restricted Fuel Tank Vent (Do not do this on a Full Tank of Fuel or Fuel will blow out and get on the paint; drive with the Fuel Fill Cap off; this allows the thank to vent. If that works locate and clean the Fuel Tank Vent.)

Sloppy Linkage between the Fuel Injection Pump and the Accelerator Pedal. (Locate the throttle arm on the Fuel Injection Pump and Engine not running have some one step all the way down on the pedal and see if the Throttle arm goes all the way to the Stop Screw. If not check the part of the Throttle Linkage that pivots on the Fire Wall as the Rubber and the plastic fall apart.

 

Other odds and ends

Check your Transmission Fluid level

The Valves need to be adjusted on this Engine as the clearances get smaller/tighter in use.

Inspect the Axle Boots and the Drive Shaft Rubber Flex Discs closely for cracks.

Check that your Oil Cooler Hoses for leaks and that they are not getting too close to your Power Steering Belt (caused by a bad Motor Mount) as the Belt can cut through a hose.

 

jeesh. some real stretches here with some things which are not likely to cause the problems described.

Ocham's razer. Start with the most likely stuff.

 

Well HOW IRONIC!!! As I was reading your story I started to laugh out loud since I thought, "Wow, this person is having the same problem as me!" And as I continued to read your story, you then quoted the forum I started when I was freaking out about my own recently purchased '84 300D... Yea, severe bogging going up hill eventually turned into severe bogging no matter what until the car died... You were lucky to get it home and not need a tow like I did!

Anyway, I just got the car back on the road today and drove it 70 miles (at 65-70mph) with NO PROBLEM! IT IS LIKE NEW! Just refer back to that forum you quoted and do what I did. I found my tank to be disgusting, and because of the dirty tank, all my NEW filters became clogged within only a week. Have someone, or yourself, remove the tank and clean it out. Although I am not sure of the overall condition of the car you bought, do not feel bad for buying it. These cars are SO COOL!! Send me a message any time and we can bond over our new experiences with our German cars...

 

For what it's worth, I was having a sever power issue just a few days ago, all resolved by replacing filters.

 

Had something similar to this on an 85 SD I had. Everything was ok until 5 mins into a what normally would be a 20 min drive home after buying it. Car lost power like mad, was barely creeping along at 5 mph. It was dark and i was just praying to get home. Next day, opened the hood, found all the fuel lines to the injector pump were leaking, more like almost completely rotted away. needless to say, replaced those and the filters and the car was alive and well! Probably should have kept it, but decided to keep the 300 D. Good luck and don't panic like everyone else says!

 

check the linkages

 

replace fuel and air filters, and it should be good as new.

 

Wow! Man I can't thank you guys enough for the help! My wallet and I are breathing a little easier now. I will update as soon as I get her cleaned out good. Thanks again!

 

Filters, check tran level (engine running and warmed up on level ground).

Probably no big issue. You can swap the in and out lines from the fuel tank in the engine compartment to by pass the tank filter as well. Obviously if it runs better after that you want to get it fixed but in the mean time the car is driveable.

 

Update

Good news! The banjo bolt was totally plugged up, after cleaning I was cruising easily at 70mph. Thanks so much for the advice!

 

Awesome sauce!

Consensus was it would be something minor. I feel these cars are very trustworthy and dependable.

 

That's what we're here for. Congrats.

 

Awesome...I figured this would end well.

 

The easiest fixes are always the most rewarding.

 

I know this is an old post but for anyone reading this with a similar problem, my experience may help. I bought an 87 300D and had a similar problem. Turns out my resonator was clogged. Since the original engine (W124) did not have a catalytic convertor, I was able to have a muffler shop remove the resonator. Power was restored except eventually my tranny was failing. A slight adjustment helped that. I'm beginning to have some power lag again (a couple years later) so I am going to clean my filters and see if that helps.

 

Flush entire fuel systems with a focus on the fuel tank. Replace all filters and fuel breather vent valve. Run for a short distance than replace inline and spin on filter again.

Make sure you put a new fuel tank strainer in, p.s. that's the fun part!

 

I just cleaned the banjo bolts on my 82 300D and in the process broke the line. I used 1/4" OD plastic tubing to replace it. The line is resistant to chemicals including fuel so it should work fine. I cut the old line off the banjo bolt and this slipped on it firmly even though it is slightly larger ID than the original.