Thanks guys. I think I'm leaning to doing the method Robert suggests, i.e. run the tank to near empty and then just drain it all, move the whole unit to the work bench and do things standing up rather than on my back. And if I'm going to go to all that trouble, I may as well replace all the rubber hoses I can get to. After 20 years, they ought to be about due.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles