Diesel engine starts but then dies - why???

Russell, could be a few things. If your on that much of a slope it could well be the low oil level sensor on the sump. Does it start and run fine when on the flat? Getting fuel from the tank on that angle wouldn't be a problem unless there was none/ very little in there. But if this happens on the flat as well it could be an electrical problem. Hope this helps a bit.
Cheers,
Hughesy

My 80 series does the same thing, drops idle to nearly on stall speed when stopped on a steep slope. I think the pump having to struggle to move fuel uphill like you say.Cheers,
Wazza
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It sounds a lot like the oil pressure sensor cutting the fuel out. The sensor is set to do this on the 2H and other engines when the oil pressure is insufficient to safely run the motor. Get the vehicle on relatively flat ground and it should stop. Also if it is really cold and the oil is not flowing well, the 2H is prone to doing this at start up. The answer on cold days is just to give the motor a few revs ( approx 1200) at start up. This is usually enough to get the oil through the motor and get it running. If this does not work then I cannot help. You should hear the click of the cutout relay in the glovebox area if it is a low oil pressure problem.

The oil pressure sensor cut out will normally let the engine run unsay it has trouble starting as well then I would look at the fuel and in particular I would change the filter.
Incidently most of those sensors can be tested by simply pulling the wire off and trying it under those conditions. If the sensor is stuffed it will run perfectly when disconnected and shut down when connected.

Don't leave your sensor disconnected !!

Russell.
Its amazing the people who don't read the question before answering:
You have two seperate problems, the first is in your starter, the contacts in the soleniod burn away in these starters, the repiar is easy and cheap just take the plate of the back of the soleniod and remove the plunger, you will see 2 copper 90deg strips replace those and your first problem is fixed. the second is most likely your fuel filter, replace it and bleed the air out using the hand pump and your away. Eric.