I posted on the forum yesterday, how to change the fuel filter, as I'd never done one before. I wondered what bad things could happen to me if I didn't ask a veteran.

Thank God no one told me to take the fuel tank cap off to reduce pressure. That way I was able to take a bath in this stuff, and my engine, too! When I loosened the center bolt, the filter dropped down a bit, but the bold didn't go up. Fuel kept "urinating" out of the lines into where the fuel filter is supposed to be. I couldn't get the filter out since the bolt wouldn't come up. I finally had to tilt the fuel filter, spilling fuel all over the engine, got that out, got the new one in, had a hard time screwing it in. Probably got 1/2 gallon to 1 gallon of fuel all over the engine, electrical components, the serentine belt, my clothes, just everywhere.

When I finally got all that done, I COMPLETELY SHOWERED up, then took the car for a spin. Now something sounds weird, kind of like a diesel truck instead of a diesel car. I'm hoping it's just some diesel oil still on the belt, hopefully the problem will go away on its own. Something is also squealing.

That was fun.

Jeff 1991 300d

Probably just residual diesel on stuff....I'd wash it off a bit/degrease it and it will probably be fine.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

This step was probably omitted because pressure in the fuel system (at rest) is not a normal occurence. The fuel tank should be vented to atmosphere, if the vent isn't plugged.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I read your post yesterday. You made no mention of your tank wooshing everytime you took the cap off. Don't blame us for the problems with your car.

If you are looking for someone to tell you every possible thing that can go wrong before you do a job you have bought the wrong car. Hang your tools up and take it to a mechanic.

Murphy will alway rear his ugly head. You should always be ready for spraying, leaking, breaking, runaway engines, jacks that fail, etc. You name it, it can happen.

Welcome to the forum!

Keep the questions coming...we will help when we can!

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

Classic! Now I bet you will do the next filter change in 5 minutes, practice makes perfect.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

OK, great. now your motor is nice and clean right?
I bet you had oil all over your intake crossover, and probably had oily dirty residue on many surfaces. that should all be clean now. your car was just irritable that's all. it wanted a bath.
if you check back a few days, I made several posts about fuel pressure build up this time of year in fuel tanks. I think it's due to cold overnight shutdowns, and warm days. the fuel tank is vented to allow air in, not out. so dense cold air gets in at night, and when the day warms up, your tank is pressurized.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Shop manual says your 91 300d is supposed to have pressure in the fuel tank,up to 50mbar if the vent system is working properly.(47-0030) if you have the CD manual.
My $.02 Don

__________________
Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

My mistake, I suppose.

Was thinking in terms of my 86 and before.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

That is strange. I have changed my secondary filter on both ofg my cars about four times each now and nothing like this has ever happened.

I suppose that if you had taken it to someone else (1) this would been avoided, but (2) you would have about $30 less.

So I would say you are still ahead. Now you should remember to vent your tank. I normally change the small filter first, then the larger one, and have never had this problem occur at all.

But I did recently have to clean up after a disconnected return line. It;s less nasty if you use biodiesel.

__________________
Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

I always crack the tank cap first, try this on a warm day after the car has been baking in the sun, its like a garden hose!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Who enjoyed the diesel bath more, you or the engine?

Better days ahead.

Regards

Run-Em

__________________
1983 300SD - SPARKY THE DIESEL
2004 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro Roadster
1999 SLK - aka - LIL RED
1956 Chevy Nomad - aka - REAL MAD
1940 Ford dbl dr. Deluxe - aka - ORANGE U GLAD
1998 Kawasaki Nomad bike --