I recently purchased a 1998 300TD (diesel) and drove it home from Virginia without issue. Unfortunately, I let the gas get down to very close to empty and a couple of days later it started having problems with cold starting (would start up immediately, then die after about a second...then I would have to sit and 'crank' it for 20-30 seconds to get it to start up again). If it was warmed up, this wouldn't be an issue.
I talked to a friend who owns a diesel (this is my first) and he said it sounded like I had fouled my fuel filter and I should replace it.
I bought a new fuel filter which I completely filled with diesel. I looked for some type of a 'bleeder valve' for fuel/air but didn't see anything. I took the old filter off, put the new filter on, and it took about a minute or so of cranking for the car to start. Then it 'cold started' just fine (and has continued to start fairly easily since that time).
The problem now is that when the engine is cold, now it doesn't have power...it's like it is completely starved for fuel...it hasn't completely stalled yet, but it will come fairly close to it (especially when going up hills or under load). After it has 'warmed up' or driven for 5-7 minutes, this doesn't happen any more.
Any ideas what may be causing this? I looked in multiple threads, but didn't see anything that seemed to line up properly (could be looking in the wrong place also).
Thanks,
-Scott