Why can I only get 15 gal into my tank? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #16 05-02-2007, 08:48 AM

I can squeeze in 3 more gals after it clicks off. 3.5 sometimes. On my 210, I see the tank filter sticking straight up. Crud settles at the bottom. So, if the bottom part of the screen is stuck full of dirt, only the top will be able to suck fuel. What was done when I modded the tank was that the hose from the sock was crimped off and removed at the other end. That way, the fuel could be drained nicely into another tank. It will splash a little but not gush fuel all over.

funola · #17 05-02-2007, 10:05 AM

If you apply compressed air from the fuel line in the engine compartment, wouldn't that clear the clog in the tank strainer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by estod

Mine is just the same -- and I assume it is because the tank strainer is clogged. One of these days I'll pull it -- but it's going to be a mess because I'll have 5 -6 gals of fuel left to come gushing out no matter how I drive the tank down...

aklim · #18 05-02-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

If you apply compressed air from the fuel line in the engine compartment, wouldn't that clear the clog in the tank strainer?

Well, if the lower half of the filter is clogged, it would bubble out the top half. In any case, where would it go to after you clear the clog? Back into the tank to be clogging it up again in the future? I'd clear the strainer by taking it out and cleaning it or getting a new one

JimmyL · #19 05-02-2007, 10:13 AM

Well, mine does this and it isn't the tank screen. It's been pulled out and cleaned, although it was spotless anyway.
It is only right after turning a corner that it starts to miss.

funola · #20 05-02-2007, 12:26 PM

I must admit I do not know what the strainer looks like and it's orientation. Can you post a link to a pic? Is it a big job to pull the strainer on an 83 300D?

I was thinking of just blowing the strainer clear, maybe even add some solvent to help break any sludge and just recirculate and stir everything up in the tank, suck it out from the fuel line in the engine compartment into cubies, let the crap settle to the bottom and put the clean fuel from the top back in the tank and do the same thing again till all the crap is gone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Well, if the lower half of the filter is clogged, it would bubble out the top half. In any case, where would it go to after you clear the clog? Back into the tank to be clogging it up again in the future? I'd clear the strainer by taking it out and cleaning it or getting a new one

aklim · #21 05-02-2007, 02:18 PM

Mine had the mesh part going into the tank and the bolt part screws in. Draw a horizontal line above the hex nut on the leftmost picture. Rotate 180 degrees about the horizontal axis. That is how mine is screwed into the bottom of the tank

JimSmith · #22 05-02-2007, 02:54 PM

Guys, if the car stalls and stutters right after makiing a turn, the problem is not in the tank. There is a lot of fuel line filled solid from the tank to the injectors and it takes more than a second to clear all that out and start sucking air into the injection pump. I think there may be some other air bubble or collection of water in the filter housing or somewhere else that is giving you the symptoms immediately after turning a corner.

The fuel level gage, reserve light and real fuel level in the tank are only remotely connected on these older cars. Considering what they cost at the time they were new, the gage is really a piece of junk. I have had lots of them become erratic over time and have learned to zero my trip odometer and go by mileage, using the gage as a rough estimate.

The issue of how much fuel is in the tank and when the car acts like it is out of fuel may be more related to the condition of the hoses and tubing between the tank and the in-line filter. As the hoses age they can swell before they start to weep, and may very well make the suction pump starve for fuel when it has to suck through a nearly closed hose. This could also be caused by a kink in the hose or the tubing.

Hope some of this is helpful, and good luck, Jim

Jadavis · #23 05-02-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimSmith

Guys, if the car stalls and stutters right after makiing a turn, the problem is not in the tank.

On the one time that I ran out of fuel it was sputtering at the end of every curve, corner, and turn. There is not that much fuel in the lines. Plus, the design of the spin on filter allows the air to go straight to the IP for convienient purging.

By the way, if you do replace the screen, I sell the replacement o-ring in viton. Great for biodiesel, WVO, and ULSD.

http://www.fryerpower.com/store/page11.html

-Jim

Stevo · #24 05-02-2007, 03:08 PM

Changing all three fuel tank hoses really isn't a big deal if you syphon the fuel out and then jack up the driver side of the car, (tilt tank) do those two, then do the one on the other side, clean strainer also.

JimmyL · #25 05-02-2007, 05:46 PM

Actually mine cuts out a couple of seconds after I straighten out....

Bajaman · #26 05-02-2007, 09:37 PM

I know that I'm sucking air going around corners because I can hear the pump that I have right by the tank start making a racket when it runs dry.

JimSmith · #27 05-02-2007, 10:13 PM

I don't have such a pump on my 240D. I have a system that gravity feeds to the lift pump on the injection pump housing. So I don't hear anything from the tank area. My gas cars have a pump at the tank, but not my Diesel.

I am still having difficulty seeing how a car that at normal driving around town speeds will use about one gallon every 35 to 40 miles is going to vacate an estimated 8 foot long, approximately 0.125 inch diameter tube of fuel, plus the other stuff in less than half a mile, which at those speeds is several minutes later.

Jim

Bajaman · #28 05-02-2007, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimSmith

I am still having difficulty seeing how a car that at normal driving around town speeds will use about one gallon every 35 to 40 miles is going to vacate an estimated 8 foot long, approximately 0.125 inch diameter tube of fuel, plus the other stuff in less than half a mile, which at those speeds is several minutes later.

Jim

Well the lift pump provides much more fuel than the engine needs and is sent back to the tank through the return line. So, it is possible run dry very quickly.