w126 Tank Screen Dilemma - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LuckyEddie · #46 04-03-2012, 11:39 AM

Yours looks like the one that came out of my tank. Now I have a different problem --- my fuel gauge came apart leaving the aluminum tube sloshing around in the tank. It is cleaning the walls of the tank cloging my pre filter every other tank. I am going after it with a wire today --- what a bummer.

charmalu · #47 04-03-2012, 11:46 AM

I wouldn`t think there would be enough room for the tube to come off the assy. unless the rod the float slides up and down on broke off with the sloshing of fuel. not a lot of room between tank bottom and end of the assy.

Always something new to learn on these cars.

Charlie

LuckyEddie · #48 04-03-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I wouldn`t think there would be enough room for the tube to come off the assy. unless the rod the float slides up and down on broke off with the sloshing of fuel. not a lot of room between tank bottom and end of the assy.

Always something new to learn on these cars.

Charlie

It quit working so when I removed it I left the tube behind along with all the rest of the sending unit except for the rod. It all sloshes around when it gets low on fuel and cleans the walls of the tank.

LuckyEddie · #49 04-03-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I just went through removing the tank strainer on a 240D.
I have the 1 13/16 socket, the 3/4" adaptor, the 3/8" adaptor and the wratchet. the axle is too close and no room because it hangs down too far.

Then use a short 3/4 breaker bar and still not enough room.

My solution was to place jack under the Differential, remove the 4 13mm bolts and lower the Diff., then there is plenty of swing room for the tools.

This past month I have removed three of these things, and I concure as to what Tangofox said, that a 19mm on the hose connection will loosen the tank screen (sometimes). 1 out of 3.

I agree about getting a Diesel bath when removing the tank screen. the amount of fuel that suddenly comes gushing out, will depend on how much of the screen is plugged.
I have a large pan I bought at Home Depot, think it is for mixing cement/morter etc... black plastic with curved up ends.
had it lined up, and when the screen was removed, Diesel was on me, the axle, diff. trailing arm, spring, ground etc... good thing my piece of carpet cought some, but was quickly grabbing the oil soak stuff for the asphalt, (kitty litter stuff)

The above picture shows the fuel line with the crimp fitting. cut down 2 sides of it with a Dremmel, then pry it off with a screwdriver. pull off the hose, it is just a barbed fitting. then just slip on your new 5/16" hose and a hose clamp.

Charlie

I cut the socket to fit but I think that there is room to weld a 1X1/4 bar on top of the socket to turn it. Read some of the earlier post for the fellow I cut his socket.

SD Blue · #50 04-03-2012, 06:35 PM

No need to take a diesel bath while doing the tank screen. Clamp the hose with needle nose vise grips, loosen the phillips screw on the clamp and remove the flex line from the hard line. Insert a double-barb brass fitting in the end of the flex line with a length of hose to a drain pan. Release the vise grips and take a break while the tank drains away. I drained mine into a couple of fuel cans and poured it back in the tank when finished.

charmalu · #51 04-06-2012, 01:40 PM

I did drain the fuel tank using a 6" Vice grip on the flex line and drain it into a container with a funnel.

The problem is depending how much of the tank strainer is plugged up, will depend on the amount of fuel that will not drain. there is a 2 3/8" opening on the screen. the 240 screen I pulled was 3/4 plugged.
So I had at least 1 1/2" of fuel that would not drain.

Charlie