Fuel Tank Size?

[Cummmins]

Does anyone know how many gallons the factory fuel tank is? When my fuel gauge is on "E" I can put 14 gallons in it. I think I read somewhere that the tank is larger than that. I am wondering if my gauge or sending unit is a little off. When I filled it up, completely full, the gauge didn't quite read full.

[charmalu]

Tank should be 21 gallons in your 85 300D. Your sending unit is probably the problem. remove the First Aid kit, and under it is the fuel tank and the sending unit. You will need a 46mm or a 1 13/16" socket.

There is probably some crud that needs to be cleaned out of the tube and contacts.

Here is a thread and a couple links that will help you.

W123 300D Fuel tank sender question

Charlie

[vstech]

easy thing to check is the tank condition.
remove the trunk carpet, and then remove the false wall, barrier between the trunk and the tank, and look to see if the tank is collapsed...

[Cummmins]

21gallons!! That would be awesome! That would be around 550 miles per tank if I drove 'till I ran out of fuel as I average 26-27mpg around town. This should be pretty easy to check as the interior is completely stripped with the exception of the dash and drivers seat. Thanks for your help, guys.

[charmalu]

The reserve light will come on when you have about 4 gallons or less left in the tank. Don`t remember the exact amount.

Now if you happen to pick up a 80 - 83 240D, those years have a 17 gallon tank from the factory. the 82 and 83 have a plastic tank, not sure on the 81 though.

The tank from the previous years 240`s and all 300D and maybe the 280E have the 21 gallon tank that will swap into the 240 with the 17 gal tank.


When I swapped in a 21 gal tank into our 80 240, we went 634 miles w/o filling up, could have gone more, but that was our destination.


Charlie

[Cummmins]

Good to know. My low fuel light is not coming on. I would assume that it has something to do with the sending unit (replaced the bulb). I haven't had a chance to spend any time with it yet, but i could look down between the back of the tank and the wall between the tank and trunk, and the tank did not look collapsed.

[cooljjay]

Originally Posted by Cummmins

Good to know. My low fuel light is not coming on. I would assume that it has something to do with the sending unit (replaced the bulb). I haven't had a chance to spend any time with it yet, but i could look down between the back of the tank and the wall between the tank and trunk, and the tank did not look collapsed.

The no fuel reserve light is because of the sender....either there is a lot of gunk on the contact or the copper wire in the float has broke....both are very common....