123 Aux fuel tank question..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hip001 · #1 03-22-2009, 08:58 PM

I just found a 1981 240D 4 speed in the salvage yard with a like new 2nd aux fuel tank in the trunk. It has a lable on it saying it is manufactured by "Bird Automotive Division". It is a custom fit type and aluminum. I'm guessing 20gal or so. It was connected to the main tank by a big fitting on the bottom of it to the main tank drain plug(I guess). Is this something out of the norm or something neat?? to me it looks like the pressure/weight of the fuel in the main tank fed fuel over to the aux tank doubling the fuel capacity. What would something like this sell for?? Also do the diesel Benz all 123 use this fuel tank or do they change from year to year?
I'm currently shopping for a 123 (240d 4spd) so I'm keeping it but if not I will sell it.
Thanks,
Hip

#2 03-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Its good for extending range. I had an 18 gallon version and was able to get 800 miles out of both combined. It made the butt of my car sag like a 300TD with no SLS and hurt my economy hauling around an extra 150lbs of fuel. I ended up getting rid of it a long time ago on craigslist for $50.

Here is a picture of my old tank. (Ignore the junk in the trunk and the window sticker...)

Hip001 · #3 03-22-2009, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the info!

charmalu · #4 03-24-2009, 01:53 AM

Yeah I have one in my 85. mine holds 12 extra gallons. has it`s own fill cap as the one FI has pictured.

I have the 2 connected under the car into a Y connection, but added a small Ball valve to keep the aux tank shut off until I get the main tank down some, usually about 1/2.

I only fill it when we are going on a long trip, I hate to stop for fuel any more than I have to. does add weight to the vehicle and takes up some trunk space.

when I first added the tank, I figured as fuel was being pulled from the main tank, the aux tank would feed into it. well it does, but feeds into it faster than the fuel could be used and would be coming out the over fill tube, that is the reason for the ball valve.

Charlie.

#5 03-24-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

but feeds into it faster than the fuel could be used and would be coming out the over fill tube, that is the reason for the ball valve.

Thats exactly what happened with mine.

charmalu · #6 03-24-2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Thats exactly what happened with mine.

The first 3 tanks or so were no problem, but were on a trip and when we stopped I noticed fuel on the back end and under the car. took me a while to finally

realize what was going on.
Charlie

Mark DiSilvestro · #7 06-26-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hip001

I just found a 1981 240D 4 speed in the salvage yard with a like new 2nd aux fuel tank in the trunk. It has a lable on it saying it is manufactured by "Bird Automotive Division". It is a custom fit type and aluminum. I'm guessing 20gal or so. It was connected to the main tank by a big fitting on the bottom of it to the main tank drain plug(I guess). Is this something out of the norm or something neat?? to me it looks like the pressure/weight of the fuel in the main tank fed fuel over to the aux tank doubling the fuel capacity. What would something like this sell for?? Also do the diesel Benz all 123 use this fuel tank or do they change from year to year?
I'm currently shopping for a 123 (240d 4spd) so I'm keeping it but if not I will sell it.
Thanks,
Hip

You're lucky to find that tank intact. These days, many salvage yards, like my local Virginia Beach Pick-N-Pull, punch holes in the fuel tanks before putting the cars out in the yard.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Hip001 · #8 06-26-2009, 11:00 AM

Yes even the people at the yard were amazed. Looks like they cut the connecting line between the tanks and drained it that way instead of drilling holes in the tanks. So upon reinstallation I'll have to repair that one.

charmalu · #9 06-26-2009, 12:48 PM

Our PNP`s poke the tanks full of holes also. sucks if looking for a tank. I thought it was some calif law maybe, that Jy can`t sell fuel tanks.

Last week I was in Portland, OR., and hit all 4 LKQ U-pullits. I talked to this kid that works where they get the cars ready for the yard. he said they do it to get the tanks to drain faster. how much faster will it drain vs removing the fuel cap? I think it is BS.

most of the holes in the tanks are in the lower portion of the tank, and if there was much fuel in it, they would have a mess.

I haven`t looked under cars with the tank underneith, think I will check today. have a PNP run to do

Charlie

Mark DiSilvestro · #10 06-26-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Our PNP`s poke the tanks full of holes also. sucks if looking for a tank. I thought it was some calif law maybe, that Jy can`t sell fuel tanks.

Last week I was in Portland, OR., and hit all 4 LKQ U-pullits. I talked to this kid that works where they get the cars ready for the yard. he said they do it to get the tanks to drain faster. how much faster will it drain vs removing the fuel cap? I think it is BS.

most of the holes in the tanks are in the lower portion of the tank, and if there was much fuel in it, they would have a mess.

I haven`t looked under cars with the tank underneith, think I will check today. have a PNP run to do

Charlie

I suspect there's also a liabilty issue. They gouge several holes so any fuel residue will ventilate and evaporate, preventing some ham-fisted customer from accidentaly jamming a prybar through a fume-filled gastank, and incinerating themselves!

Happy Motoring, Mark

charmalu · #11 06-26-2009, 07:25 PM

Iam back from PNP. talked to the manager, and said the same thing the kid in Portland PNP said. speeds up the draining of the tank. he said he has 10 guys preping the cars and they do 50 a day. so they don`t have time to wait around for the tank to drain. plus environmental issues.

does a W126 gasser have a larger fuel tank than a 84SD? think they would
since they get lower milage.

Charlie