1970 220D
I put on a water fuel separator about a month ago because my friend Pierre said I had water in my fuel tank.
I get my diesel at the same place just about every time, it is a new truck stop that just about every uses in my area.
I use the car about 50% of the time, I also have a 300SD 1980.
I have not seen any water in the 300SD.
From the picture you can tell I have a rusty tank.
I wonder why I get water in the 220D and not the 300SD?
Kevin

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I think I battled the same thing.....although my fuel never looked that dark.

Has the 220's fuel tank sat maybe half-full for a long time? I'm guessing that since you drive it half the time....this might be a possibility.

Here's a pic of my drained fuel from my thread - scroll down to post #27
bad morning

Again....I say I "think" I battled the same thing - I drove my car until it resolved itself and changed a bizillion prefilters along the way. I was perilously close to dropping the tank and treating with Por15's tank sealer....but the diesel MB gods smiled upon my tortured soul and freed me from my rusted slavery.

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1981 240d - 135k - Arlene

When I first got the car from my dad, on every fill up I had to change the pre filter, it was clogged with bacterial growth. It sat for a while before I got it.
I will try to keep the tank full to cut down on the rust. I would think the oil in the diesel would stop the rust. I would think, between the pre filter, water fuel separator and Mercedes filter I should be getting clean fuel to the engine.

Kpmurphy,

Separate the fuel line from the tank from the fuel line that runs to the engine and let all the fuel and water run out. (There is a rubber hose connection betwen the two). Then separate the fuel from the water and put the fuel back in the tank.

Add some Dry Gas (alcohol) to the fuel system and U will be OK.

P E H

Where did you mount the water separator?

I've been thinking about installing one in mine but W115's have like no room on the driver's side of the engine, unlike the W123's. It seems like a hassle to run fuel hoses over to the opposite side, although I've seen it done.

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1976 240D "Katja"

Remember that the 200D tank is also 10 years older than the SD tank so it has had 10 more years to get contaminated. Also that looks like more than rust in the jar.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Does the car run ok? I think if you had that much water in it it wouldn't run. The percentage of whatever it is in there will be the same as in the tank, I think, so if it is 15% in the jar probably it is 15% in the tank. 15% in the tank would kill the motor and it would not run if it were water.

It looks like old heating oil to me. And if that's what it is no worries, just drive it.

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.

I put it on the left side, that is the only place I could find to put it.
It works fine for now.

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The car started to make a lot of noise and started smoking a lot.
When I first installed the water separator I did not replace the screw on filter, yes I should of, I know.
The rusty water is out of the screw on fuel filter, about 4 months old.
The car runs fine now.
I only have a small amount of water in the water separator.
In the pre filter there are small pices of rust in it.

If the car runs fine I woulld not worry about it. If you think there is some water in there run some deicer through.

The benz fuel tanks are very high quality and not as susceptable to rust as most.

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.