300TD Wagon Fuel Tank Removal trick? Can't remove it. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bluetypewriter · #1 03-19-2011, 06:46 PM

Is there a trick to removing the fuel tank on a 300TD? I've disconnected everything and removed all the retaining bolts but I can't get it to drop. The SLS leveling bar is in the way.

Do I need to remove the bar, or is there a trick to all this?

Thanks

whunter · #2 03-20-2011, 01:10 AM

This may help.

leathermang · #3 03-20-2011, 09:33 AM

Ok... it is early in the morning... for those of you who have not sobered up yet.. the picture is upside down in relation to reality..
LOL
And I do not think that is the SLS leveling bar....
perhaps an antisway bar ?

leathermang · #4 03-20-2011, 09:35 AM

Trying to think outside the box...
do you mind telling us why you are removing the tank .... just in case we might could think of a work around to doing that ?

bluetypewriter · #5 03-20-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Ok... it is early in the morning... for those of you who have not sobered up yet.. the picture is upside down in relation to reality..
LOL
And I do not think that is the SLS leveling bar....
perhaps an antisway bar ?

It's VERY early in the morning. Our moon watching party got out of hand and three of our friends had to walk home 4am. :-D

I'm pretty sure it's the SLS leveling bar. The SLS valve is connected to an arm which is connected to an arm which is connected to this bar. This bar then runs to each wheel.

I'll take some more photos later today.

bluetypewriter · #6 03-20-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Trying to think outside the box...
do you mind telling us why you are removing the tank .... just in case we might could think of a work around to doing that ?

Lots of junk in the filters, even after Starton and Biocide. When I drained the tank I saw a bunch of rust and/or algae running through my siphoning tube.

kerry · #7 03-20-2011, 11:51 AM

Why not just pull the tank screen and clean it out and see what it looks like through the tank screen opening?

leathermang · #8 03-20-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Why not just pull the tank screen and clean it out and see what it looks like through the tank screen opening?

AND use a power washer with bent wand to clean it out... ?
Let dry as best as you can .. but remember... if you have a new screw on filter up at the engine it should catch any moisture that might get to there...
could change out that filter a couple of times cheaper than what you are going to go through actually taking this tank out...
I had a wagon... working in that long overhang is a bear...

kerry · #9 03-20-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

AND use a power washer with bent wand to clean it out... ?
Let dry as best as you can .. but remember... if you have a new screw on filter up at the engine it should catch any moisture that might get to there...
could change out that filter a couple of times cheaper than what you are going to go through actually taking this tank out...
I had a wagon... working in that long overhang is a bear...

X2. I don't see how removing it would it would make it that much easier to clean it out. I'd only remove mine if I was going to replace it.

StaggerLee · #10 03-20-2011, 12:11 PM

The bar that attaches to both wheels is the sway bar. When the car is loaded (unloaded) the sway bar moves which, in turn, moves the arms connecting to the SLS valve.

leathermang · #11 03-20-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

X2. I don't see how removing it would it would make it that much easier to clean it out. I'd only remove mine if I was going to replace it.

I removed my 240d tank to pressure clean it...
but when I found how nicely the access holes were situated I knew I would clean it in place the next time... Wagon is different .. not as easy to take out and replace as the 240d 123... so even more reason to try a work around...if possible..

leathermang · #12 03-20-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaggerLee

The bar that attaches to both wheels is the sway bar. When the car is loaded (unloaded) the sway bar moves which, in turn, moves the arms connecting to the SLS valve.

Ok.. that makes sense in terms of what it looks like at that angle in the picture...

bluetypewriter · #13 03-20-2011, 08:42 PM

Okay, so my new plan of action is to clean the tank in place. I ran around town getting what I needed to pull the fuel sending unit and got it out right before dark. It's filthy!

The bottom has an almost sandpaper like texture. That's bad, right?

leathermang · #14 03-21-2011, 03:42 PM

One thing that can work on variable bottom items....
take a long ( like cotton, not rayon,etc ) piece of fabric... which will WICK....
and keep part out the bottom... and use a wire to place it where it is at least partly in the lowest spot...place pan underneath it...
and just leave it for as long as it is dripping... it is slower than a normal siphon tube arrangement... but will work in more varied situations...

bluetypewriter · #15 03-25-2011, 03:23 PM

I've got the the tank mostly dry, thanks to the wick method leathermang suggested. When I look into the tank from above, I can see a layer of silt and dirt lining the bottom of the tank. Time to clean it out.

I don't own a pressure washer, can't find one to borrow, and don't want to buy one. My plan is to hook up a temporary fuel tank in the engine compartment (like this, but with diesel: http://www.dieselgiant.com/injectorcleaning.htm) and drive the 1.4 miles to the nearest car wash.

I'll let everyone know how that turns out.