Shutdown valve installed and tested successful. In my two years of Benz diesel ownership, I had no idea that THIS was how the car was supposed to shut down -- instantly, just like a gasser does.
Thanks to everyone who gave advice and hand-holding. I will admit to my normal paranoia, and had my brother-in-law (who is also my "paid" mechanic at his day job) standing by, towel in hand and air cleaner cover removed, just in case. He said he has had to shut down a couple of diesels exactly this way so I "insisted" that he stand by as the quick response team while I turned the key. The bad news is that I got so much Mobil 1 Splatter under my fingernails that I think I need to spray some degreaser on the engine, hose it down, and start chasing leaks. Did notice one interesting thing. The "catalog" calls for two gaskets. When I removed what I have to believe is factory stuff, I found a thick metal washer sitting against metal on the toward-the-front-of-the-car side and then a cork [I guess it was cork, but was as stiff as metal] washer outboard of that. ... Having two washers available, I did washer / metal / washer / shutoff valve. Seems to work. Don -- If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.
