I'm always interested in getting the maximum amount of fuel in my tank so I don't have to go to the station again. The station I get fuel at is not on level ground so when I fill up my car(s) they are on an incline.

This being the case what is the best incline to have the 300(T)Ds at to get the max fuel in the tank? I ask because I do not know where the vent in the tank is - and this might make a difference.

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

With the nozzle opening being the high point.

Diesel has a tendency to foam......so I allow a minute or two for it to settle, before I top off.....sometimes get as much as .3 gallon more in.....

.....of course, I don't do this if there are other folks waiting for the Diesel pump.....common courtesy.......

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

With my SDL I get another 1/2 gallon in after the nozzle shuts off. With my Superduty I get another 4 gallons after shut off. I have put 41 Gal in its 38 Gal tank.

As previously stated you have to let the foam disolve to fill completely with diesel. Remember to leave room for any additives you might be adding.

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Later.........Gregg

(86) 300 SDL
(00) GMC Yukon XL 4X4
(97) C5 Corvette
(02) BMW R1150GS Adventure
(00) KAW Nomad 1500 FI

stuffing a tank is not for me.

the fuel coming into your car is coming from underground tanks at probably averaging from 50 to 60 degrees. in winter this wont be a problem but in summer it will expand as it warms to ambiant temp. where is the increased volumn going to go?

it will either stretch your tank or spill out onto the ground, imho.

one day i sat at the diesel pump waiting ten minutes for a fellow to stuff an extra gallon or two into his ford. what a pain.

i just let it fill til it stops. its not as if stopping an extra time or two per year will kill anybody. time wise you will ahead to just let it shut off by itself rather than taking all that time to stuff it.

and you will save whomever is waiting behind you a lot of grief.

just my opinion.

i havent got time to screw around getting maximum fill.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

So, what exactly is a 300(T)D?
There is no way you are going to get enough extra in there to matter, and the expansion point noted above should be heeded. I crammed my wagon full of fuel one day, and the expansion tank ended up leaking through braided hoses and cracks in the tank. (behind spare tire in back of wagon. INSIDE)(wagon only, 300TD btw ) The spousal unit complained about the smell for the whole 1hr drive.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

For the past year or so, I've been topping off the fuel tank all the way out the filler tube (and met a E300D driver doing the same thing, told em' about our forums too!). I can do it because I usually get to the station during the lull periods and no other dieselers are waiting for a pump. I've had no problems with the fuel expanding and leaking out as t walgamuth pointed out (I wonder why the fuel in the underground tanks would vary in temps so much from the ambient in the summertime?) The reasons for no leaks from expanding fuel is probably due to the fact that after I fill it up, I get on the freeway and immediately use up a few gallons going where I need to go throughout the day. I've got my technique down so pat that it doesn't take noticeably longer to fill it all the way up, only 2-4 more mins after it clicks off at most.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Mine does the same thing. I'm thinking about rounding up a replacement unit. I'd like to find a new one, but I might have to settle for salvage.

in my studies of earth sheltered homes i found that ambiant temp when you reach about 8' depth does not vary much year round. in indiana i think it is expected to be from 50 to 60 degrees. if you live far south it would be warmer, north, colder. the tanks may not be completely that far down, but in the summer they will generally be noticably cooler than ambiant temp.

they will seek the average temp of air and deep earth. heat will penetrate earth not really effeciently as earth has a lot of air in it and acts as insulation.

in example, when the temp around here falls to below zero for several days it might freeze to 40" under a concrete slab. in my woods though, with a thick layer of myrtle 12" or so i have often found the ground is not frozen at all. but the ground is also sandy and well drained.

ok too much info.

if you have any other questions i might be able to answer.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.