I have an 81 SD and the wife has been complaining it doesn't want to
idle, low idle speed, lack of power. I had her pick up new fuel filters. I
went to put them in tonight and found the fuel cloudy.....still the color
of diesel, I just can't see the screen through the fuel on the primary.

I am going to pump the tank tomorrow, but what caused it? Bad Fuel?
she got the fuel at the same place she always does, where they have
heavy truck traffic.

any other ideas?

__________________
81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Before you consider draining the fuel tank...

You may be dealing with this issue.

Warning ALL Diesel Owners, Random poor quality fuel

bad smelling fuel, Gag, gasp, choke

###############################

Cold weather starting links

.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Did the Fuel have any unusual smell?

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Its possible the lift pump went bad, thus causing oil to be sucked into the fuel....this has happened to other before...I also noticed the same thing...rebuild kits are available for them.

__________________

Didn't notice any off smells, but everything else
seems to lend credence to bad fuel.

I'll pick up a couple bottles of cetane boost
and see what happens.

this seems to have been going on nation wide
for a couple yrs. I guess I have been lucky so
far.

It seems pathetic that the industry has let it
go on for so long.

__________________
81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project