87 300SDL remove tank screen

[aquaman0001]

Hello
Can anyone give a detailed description of how you accessed the tank and removed the tank screen on an 87 300SDL? I believe I might have a clogged screen.
Thank you
A

[Brian Carlton]

Well, I can tell you where it is and how I did not access it.

Get down underneath the vehicle (safely blocked as high as possible), and, above the right axle will be two hoses that appear to connect to the underside of the body. These are the fuel supply and return lines. You'll also see a 46mm hex nut that sits around and above one of the fuel lines. This is the tank screen.

So, before you can remove the screen, the tank must be drained. Naturally, it's preferable to start with minimal fuel. Remove the supply line (the one with the strainer) and get ready with a 5 gallon container. Let all the fuel drain.

Now, the issue is how to remove the 46mm hex nut.

You'll see that it's slightly recessed, so, you can't get any vice grips or channel lock pliers on it. You can't use a box wrench (if you had one that size) for the same reason.

Others have loosened the fuel hose where it attaches to the fitting and prayed that the tank screen came along with it. That prayer didn't work in my situation.

M/B makes a socket for that nut with a 1/2" drive specifically for removing it. The socket is short so that you have sufficient clearance without hitting the axle.

So, I replaced the fuel hoses (leaking) and shouldered on.........tank screen not removable without proper tool.

[fireman1073]

A--

What i did was go to west marine and bought a bottle of startron fuel tank cleaner.

It is an enzyme type cleaner that dissolves sludge and varnish in your fuel system.

It worked well for me, dissolving crud even in the clear fuel lines.

Steve

[P.E.Haiges]

aquaman,

WHen U are draining the tank thru the rubber fuel line attached to the strainer, note the stream of fuel coming out. If its a good steady flow, the strainer is OK and no further work is needed.

If the stream is just a trickle, try one more test: Remove the fuel cap and then note the stream of drained fuel. If the stream changes to a good flow, the problem is not the strainer but a plugged tank vent.

P E H

[aquaman0001]

Thant actually might be where the problem lies. Been using the startron and the tank is almost empty. The low fuel light has not come on yet but getting close. I am guessing all the remaing gunk that has come loose is settling at the tank screen. I might just switch the return and feed line just to get me home. I am ~1 mile from the house.
A

[Hatterasguy]

Brian nailed it. Make sure you drain the tank or you will get a shower! Also if you yank it replace the O ring, that goes around its base.

[aquaman0001]

Switched the supply and return.....
Magic.
A

[aquaman0001]

Hello,
I have an 87 300SDL and had to switch the supply and return lines to get my car running after the tank screen becam e clogged. Does anyone know how high the retun line is in the tank? Want to make sure I do not run out of fuel before cleaning the screen.
Thanks
Mike

[Jmana]

I have always ran mine with the return and supply lines switched, and it seems like 1/8 of a tank is as low as I can go before it starts to get air in the fuel lines. I try hard not to let it go below 1/4.