Diesel Engine Specific Aid

Intermittent vacuum loss 1984 300SD : Car won't shut off, no power brakes etc. Goes like that for a few days or more of driving then everything works normally for months on end...Back to the same problem. Occasionally when I'm heading for the engine shut off the car will slowly die before I get to it. Driving me crazy. Building good leg muscles though. Thanks Jon

After doing some engine work, I could not get the engine to shut off. I checked all the vacuum lines and connections, which were ok, including testing the fuel shutoff valve and checking the line to it for grease (none). From previous testing, I know that the vacuum pump works well. I thoroughly studied the "Vacuum System Troubleshooting" manual. I noticed that there is one black vacuum line which remains unconnected, the one with a damper from the vacuum transducer which supposedly goes to the automatic transmission vacuum modulator. When I plug this line with my finger, the engine stops.

A couple of months ago I replaced my injectors with new crush washers. Now, after a compression test & valve adjustment the centers of two of the washers were missing (and one was broken, about to fall out!) The injectors were torqued with a true torque wrench to the right amount. Where did those centers go? Did they simply disintegrate like happened in my '78 diesel VW or are they destroying my engine? Unfortunately I also have a new noise at certain RPMs and when shutting down.

I recently replaced my exhaust manifold on my 617.951 diesel and couldn't find new copper locking nuts anywhere so I reused the old ones with red thread lock. It's been about five months since then and I noticed a little oil around the front of the gasket, I checked the front nut that I can get to and it was loose enough that I could turn it with my fingers.
My question is, where can I find new locking nuts and what is correct torque for these nuts? My Chilton manual said 18-21 ft lbs but that doesn't seem very tight. Thanks for your help