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  #1  
Old 01-26-2012, 09:03 PM
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Tank draining.

Hello guys. I posted here about purchasing a wagon that has been sitting in New Mexico. The car has been sitting since 2007. An older woman owned it and the car is straight as an arrow and the interior is perfect. The mileage is 142k tan on tan or as some would say yellow on tan. The car is very nice. I have searched and have not found an answer. How do you drain the fuel tank? Is there a drain plug on it or do i have to pull the tank? I appreciate it and i will load pictures this weekend i did get some but they were taken in the dark. I believe she will be a good car and needs a name. Thanks Robert

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  #2  
Old 01-26-2012, 10:56 PM
Benzguy300
 
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Location: Fontana Ca
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There is a plug in the bottom of the tank. you don't need to remove the tank if all you want to do is drain it
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  #3  
Old 01-26-2012, 11:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by benzguy300 View Post
There is a plug in the bottom of the tank.
Isn't a little difficult to come to that conclusion without knowing the model of the car in question? Or do all wagons have drain plugs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bdblk12v View Post
An older woman owned it...
Older than what???
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  #4  
Old 01-26-2012, 11:26 PM
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Its an 81 300td w123. To say older woman I would say in the early 70s in age. I wasn't trying to offend anyone just stating that the car has been taken care of. Thanks
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  #5  
Old 01-26-2012, 11:58 PM
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No need to drain it. Just burn it. Diesel stays fine for decades. The only concern would be fungus but not in NM.
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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
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  #6  
Old 01-27-2012, 12:54 AM
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How full is the tank? Is it pump Diesel or was it run on WVO or something else? You never know with little old ladies With due respect to kerry, I'd pull the fuel supply hose at the tank, assuming it's towards the bottom like in sedans, and collect the first quart or so. Might be clean fuel, might be water and rust, might be nothing. I'd like to know before sending it to the engine. Likewise, I'd replace the big fuel filter just in case water's been sitting in it for 5 years. If you're as paranoid as I am, start the engine from an external fuel supply.

Sixto
87 300D
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  #7  
Old 01-27-2012, 02:49 AM
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I highly doubt there is wvo in this car. I'm fairly sure its gonna be straight diesel in it. I didn't know diesel lasted for decades. Your right I don't want to start it up and find water in the system and make a whole lot of problems. I will drain some out and see if there are any supriseses. I will pull the filter and check and replace it also. Thanks for the responses and advise. I hope to get her running and driving. She is too nice to let sit.
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  #8  
Old 01-27-2012, 08:33 AM
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Congratulations. And pictures please when you have a chance. Those of us up here in the Northeast need to see what it's like to live in the dreamland of finding such a car under our noses
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  #9  
Old 01-27-2012, 08:51 AM
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There is a write-up on on either this forum or dieselgiant that shows you how to remove the tank. The person who wrote it up literally cleaned the inside of the tank at a car wash and used a shop vac to dry it. ..then he did a mineral oil blow through of the lines.

Even if you dont do the above, I think if you pull the tank filter, you will accomplish two things. You will drain your tank and be able to replace the filter if there is any algae on it.
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  #10  
Old 01-27-2012, 08:56 AM
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I will post pictures for sure. I have tried to buy this car for the past 4 years. The paint is a lil sun faded but I'm sure there is no rust in the car. Where we are at we get maybe 2 snows a year and they melt off in a couple days. I'm excited don't know much about having a wagon but I will see. I think 142k is pretty low mileage and hoping for the best. It needs some cosmetic items and cleaned up but I bet she will shine like a diamond. She is missing the hood star the front bumper rubber on the front the hood plastic release and the door trim is a little loose. I'm sure she will fix up nice. Thanks
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  #11  
Old 01-27-2012, 09:01 AM
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dieselarchitect
 
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I'd treat it to some fuel conditioner and add biocide in case there is some bacteria in the tank, which is highly unlikely. MOst probably in a dry place like that I would do as Kerry says, just put a battery in it or throw on some jumpers and try to start it. I might put on a new fuel filter just for kicks if it looked particularly dirty.

If it ran when parked it will most likely just start right up. Why was it taken out of service?

Draining the tank on a diesel is a filthy stinky job and totally unneccessary most likely.

A gasser is another story. The modern gasoline will go bad in a year.
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #12  
Old 01-27-2012, 10:34 AM
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I would dump some Startron in the tank, put some spare filters with tools in the trunk & drive it. You may not have a problem so don't make work. There will be enough to do anyway. Do change tires. The current set will come apart because of dry rot - even if they look new - hopefully not while you're at speed.

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