I decided to tackle a simple thing today: Changing my spin-on filter. So I did. Took off the old one, took new one, filled with gas, tightened it on, end of story.

Got in the car and cranked it, turned over fine, stumbled a little at slight change of fuel/air, then all was great.

Then I started it again and decided to look under the hood to make sure my seal was tight.

There's fuel springing -- fountaining -- from the primer pump. I can't manually tighten the primer pump any more than it's tightened, so now what the...? Is my primer pump shot and I have to wait here for a new one? Or is it something I did in changing the spin on? It's the poker chip old-style pump, and fuel is spraying for under the poker chip.

__________________
1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc

ok, well, remembering the climbing adage that if you can't climb up, climb down, I loosened the poker chip and now it's stopped leaking. The poker chip is bobbing up and down, which I assume it will do as necessitated by the actions of the fuel pump, but it's not leaking as far as I can tell.

Am I good to go? I will order the lift pump repair kit and a new primer pump, as now I am good and chastened about having neglected to do that. I suspect the primer pump was overtightened last time I changed the filters (when I had to take it to my indie for a new hose clamp on the inline because it was leaking badly there). My hypothesis is that an air burp overtaxed a too-torqued primer pump. Yes?

Is it ok to drive this afternoon? Got a wedding to go to 30 mi away...

ps please be nice as I am a very stupid girl and thus, well, stupid.

__________________
1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc

This forum gives credit for trying. Just be sure you have no leaks. Carry a fuel can with you.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Brilliant!

I wouldn't worry about the lift pump proper, just change the primer pump from poker to black-button--they're about $15.

Consider leaving your fuel tank cap loose to reduce system static pressure, and--as mentioned--bring more fuel if you have a jug handy.

Just a stupid girl? Why, are you married???

__________________
James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

hahah.

I get the feeling that even though everyone says this model burps itself, it really doesn't. If I think back, I've had fuel leaks 3 or 4 times after filter changes. I've always had the changes done while getting work done at a shop, consequently never really followed what was being done. But then had to take it back -- can remember THREE separate occasions, and now this, where I freaked to find fuel leaks after a filter change. I've ordered the black button, and it's on its way! Next time I change it (soon, because I did a biocide shot about 400 miles ago), I will prime and burp with the new primer. Hopefully no more fuel fountains.

__________________
1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc