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Old 09-27-2009, 11:14 AM
johnbonds
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mount Pleasant SC
Posts: 56
fuel tank internals

Has anyone cut open a fuel tank for a 123? The book sez that there is a reserve in the tank. Is that in a separate compartment (like the ancient VWs), or is it just an electrical indication of low fuel condition with the light on the dash?

Here's the reason for the question. A couple of years ago I had a serious algae problem that ended up at an Indy shop, where they finally got the lines cleaned,etc and then pulled it around the shop to get it started again. (I've been fighting that black junk ever since, now on my 2nd tank treatment with Staron, and it's getting better all the time.) But after getting the car back from the Indy, I ran out of fuel, with about 1/3 tank showing on the gauge. I got it off to the side, took a cab home to get another car, the wife and a fuel jug, and got it running. Went immediately to a nearby diesel source and put in 14.3 gallons. Would not take any more. I've since been refueling every 300m on the odometer, 10gallons, 30mpg+/- pretty steadily. But I've wondered ever since--what's happened to that additional tank capacity? If there is a reserve compartment in there, is the drain for it clogged entirely--or is the internal compartment just full of algae carcasses?

I can't find a diagram of that anywhere.

John Bonds
Charleston SC 240D 4sp, daily driver, 200k

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  #2  
Old 09-27-2009, 11:58 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbonds View Post
just an electrical indication of low fuel condition with the light on the dash?

That's it.

If it runs out of fuel at 14 gallons, there is a likely problem with the tank screen.
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  #3  
Old 09-27-2009, 12:46 PM
Yak Yak is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
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There's a WVO thread that has pics of tank internals here:

http://www.greasebenz.com/node/4

If that doesn't work do a Google search for "wvo mercedes fuel tank cut"

I'd take the manual's description of "reserve" with a grain of salt. Yesterday I was changing fuel lines on my '83 300CD. I've driven about 20 miles with the low fuel light on and the gauge a tick above the "R". I thought it'd be nearly empty with the light corresponding to the R limit and had two 2.5 gallon buckets to collect fuel. 6+ gallons later my tank is empty. The excess went into my oil change collection pan.

Doing the math from the manual and looking at the gauge "R" = about one-half of one-quarter tank.

I'd agree with the clogged strainer diagnosis, with a possible but unlikely clogged vent line as a second option. Draining the tank and cleaning the strainer is probably the best fix. Other people recommend biodiesel (or blend) to "clean" the tank with a side effect of clogging the strainer.

PO rant: I think the PO/mechanic used a pipe wrench to torque the strainer onto the fuel line fitting and used the 19mm fuel line fitting to torque it into the tank. They came out together and the soft aluminum strainer housing is scored and gouged. I can't separate the old strainer even when clamped in a vise, using PB lube, and tapping the wrench with a mallet. My car will be down for the count until the new screen gets here on Wednesday because I'm not re-draining the tank.
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Old 09-27-2009, 03:03 PM
NY300SD's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 133
sounds to like the indy got the feed/return lines mixed up.
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"Poor Krusty, he's like a black velvet painting come to life." -Lisa Simpson


1995 E300D 216k black/mushroom

1982 300SD (sold)

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  #5  
Old 09-28-2009, 01:23 AM
johnbonds
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mount Pleasant SC
Posts: 56
tank internals

That's an interesting possibility. Thank you! I'll check it.

John Bonds, '82 240D daily driver
Charleston, SC

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