I did a diesel purge today and replaced the screw on and in-line plastic filters. Curiosity had me crack open the old plastic filter and inside of it was a fine, sand-like debris (which I expected), as well what looked like small metalic flakes. Not a lot of them, maybe less than 1% of the contaminants.
Could this just be metal deposits from the fuel tank/lines? Metal bits from the threads of the last screw-on filter? Minerals (from I don't know where)? Or is my IP or some other fuel delivery component on it's way out?

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79 300D 238K mi

My first guess is this sediment probably came out of the tank at the station where you fill up. A new delivery stirs the sediment and it pumps with the fuel to yur tank unless it is filtered. Do you see a filter on the station's fuel delivery pump? Even if you do, is there a cartridge inside the filter housing?

Wait till you get a better indication of a problem unless you really enjoy buying and wrenching on new parts for your MB.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

sounds good to me. thanks.

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79 300D 238K mi

There is no active device like the lift pump or injection pump before that prefilter. All fuel flow is through it then the mechanical devices. If all that metal was being sent down the return line from the injection pump to the tank could be something mechanical then I suppose.

I understand your concern but nothing is clear cut enough to act on in my opinion. I guess if a guy just had to know a filter installed on the return line would indicate. If new flakes showed up there then there would be a concern. I doubt they would though.

If the particles can be attracted by a magnet, they are probably rust flakes from the tank. If not, possibly sand from a fill up.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I changed the fuel filter on my 97 5.9L cummins which is a canister type filter and at the bottom of the housing I saw the same thing. Small shiny particulates like the size of pepper flakes. Its gotta be something from the fueling station...im in sacramento by the way...
-Stephen

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68 250s SOLD
78 300d non turbo SOLD
1980 240d manual SOLD
1981 300SD 360,000 miles I think she's doomed for a parts car but has a good engine SOLD the engine to spamman
1977 300d non turbo SOLD
1985 300SD california car
1978 240D Manual

Be Happy,They are in you filter,not in your pump! Thank you filter! Don

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

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