anyone know how deep the fuel return line goes in the tank. i was just wondering if the lines can be swapped for roadside rescue from clogged strainer or something. does the strainer screw out from under the car or does the tank have to be removed?

They can be swapped. Tank does not have to be removed to access strainer.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Kerry hit the nail on the head. Swapping lines in the engine bay is no problem. The screen is a 46mm on the bottom of the tank. You'll want the tank empty to pull the screen out, or you're gonna have a driveway full of diesel.

__________________

does the strainer come out from underneath?

great! thanks. i love to know how to limp it home if i need to. i have a 2.5 hour commute to work. does the line go past half?

I believe it does.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

under in a sedan, in a wagon it's on top under the carpet in the middle of the cargo area...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I have been saying that if you someone swaps the lines they should have at least 1/2 Tank of Fuel.
But, I actually do not know nor have I read what the minimum amout of Fuel.

Also the Return Fuel comes up from the Bottom of the Tank and there is a Stand Pipe that sticks up from the bottom aways.

Someone who has cleaned their Tank may have seen it and can give some idea as to how far above the bottom the Pipe sticks up.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

i see! i thought it came in from the top. that must be the vent. i havent investigated the vent yet but after reading one thread on here i should. thanks for all the info!

Access to the strainer is under in a wagon. Access to the fuel sender is on top under the carpet in the middle of the cargo area.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

On a sedan the fuel vent comes out just in front of the left hand rear wheel - well nearer to the sub frame.

Diesel911 is correct that you need to have a noticeable amount of fuel in the tank - on my car you need about 1/4 tank to make this work.

To access the strainer you need a monster 46mm socket - funola has been playing about with a DIY one

Daft W123 300D nut and bolts sizes

If you can find one for a cheap price (which I can't) a box socket is the cheapest and quickest alternative.

If you need to drain the tank I recommend you remove the sender (top of the tank under the first aid kit in the sedan) and siphon the fuel out that way before removing any connections under the tank. That way you won't give yourself a diesel shower. That's one club I don't belong to so far!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

a fast easy way to drain the tank is to disconnect the fuel return under the hood and take a hose from it into a bucket and start the car. it will then pump its contents into the bucket. thanks for all the info about the strainer!

Not what I call fast! Good luck with it all.

There's some more information that you might find useful here

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123FuelTank

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

You have missed out on one thing in life Army !!

Do you have a terrible shirt you mother in law gave you that you never put on & your wife wont let you throw out?
Go & put it on, a diesel shower later & you will be rid of it for good !! Works every time for me.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving