What I am saying is that if the lower part of the filter is clogged then there would be fuel in the tank even though the car stalled. It does not matter that the car was or was not running. I am not a mechanic but all my posts are factual and based on my experience. Some are pleasant, some are not. This one was NOT.

It is not rocket science to drain a tank. Just to be careful and wear protective clothing and goggle. Enough said for me.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

Was there any mention by the OP that the engine stalled with sufficient fuel remaining in the tank?

If so, then I missed it.

Ya I failed to mention that the car starts idling badly once it gets to about half a tank. When I fill it up, its absolutely fine. Right now im around a little less than a quarter tank. Going to run it down either today or tomorrow.

I think im going to do what Yak recommended and pull the gauge sender. My gauge does dance when the fuel gets low so I might as well remove it and clean the contact and see how much crud is on there. Anyone know where the fuel gauge sender is on a TD?

Im getting my motor mounts replaced as we speak! Im really excited. Hoping once that's fixed and the tank screen replaced, the car would ride smooth like a babys bottom.

__________________
1984 300td euro turbo

Nevermind, I found a thread showing where the send is.

Siphoning from the top is not a bad idea. I have one of those siphoning pumps people use to do oil changes. The name of it is escaping me at the moment. Maybe I could use that. Not sure if the diesel will destoy it though.

__________________
1984 300td euro turbo

If it's intended for motor oil, diesel won't hurt it. Just be careful to not spill in the car or it'll smell.

I didn't recall it was stumbling at the half-tank level, I thought it was lower.

How low are you running it prior to draining? At a half tank, I'd have at least three 5-gallon buckets (or fuel cans) with the plastic snap-tight lids. A large funnel and maybe some sort of fuel strainer in case you plan on reusing the siphoned, possibly gungy, fuel. Worst case speculation if it stumbles at 1/2 tank might mean looking for a new(old) tank or a cleaning service.

You have verified the supply and return lines are correctly connected? Supply is lower on the TD tank, return is higher.

BC - he didn't post the fuel level info in this thread. It was my recollection from when he got the car and had a long, expensive estimate from his mechanic. A low-/no- rust euro 300TD w. ABS (I think) in NYC. A rare creature, possibly the only one left alive...

Thanks.

Always helps to have all the necessary info for a diagnosis............damn near impossible to get on here lately.

Hey Yak! Your recollection is perfect. Impressive!

This is the fluid evacuator that I have. LINKIt's only 7.2 liters but might be enough to get rid of the final bits of diesel.

It stumbles at around half a tank but I am still able to keep it alive by being aggressive with the accelerator. Right now it's about half way between the empty and a quarter tank. I really gotta give it juice to keep it alive. Hoping to run it to empty tomorrow.

Yes the fuel lines are correct.

I tried removing the fuel gauge sender but I couldn't. It was way stuck on there. After I plugged it back in, the gauge jumped to the half way mark. I have amost 400 miles on this tank so I'm sure I don't have half a tank. Gonna maybe spray some penetrant tomorrow and see if I can remove it

__________________
1984 300td euro turbo

Im obviously missing something here.

The issue is to drain the fuel tank ?

What is wrong with a good 'ol plain and simple siphon hose stuffed down the filler tube ??

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Nothing! I just didn't have a good place to put 10 gallons of diesel, and I was pinched for time, so I went the expedient but slightly messier route.

__________________
1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png

I have a 7 ft clear hose just for such.

You know you can wrap an old sock around the opening where you insert the hose just enough to stop the air flow then blow pressure on the hose and let the pressure prime the siphon?

And they say I have nothing to contribute!

__________________
84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

It's an evolving thread. E.g. Remove the strainer. Get the fuel out first. Maybe drive it to near empty, but tough to tell with a wonky gauge and rough idle from 1/2 and below; maybe run it down @ idle by feeding the return line. Strainer clogged, that might not work well. Maybe check the tank; etc etc

At the end of the story the strainer needs to come out and there'll probably be some quantity of fuel coming with it.

A siphon would work down to about how much left? If he's got about 400 miles on this tank then there shouldn't be too much left. What's a TD tank hold? 18, 20? He's probably burned 15 or more.

LOL Didn't think of that...

__________________
1984 300td euro turbo

Ok im at the car right now. First things first... im trying to remove the damn sender and its not budging! What have you guys used before? Im using a channel locks and can not get this thing off. Just sprayed some pb blaster on it. God damn this thing is a little *****!

__________________
1984 300td euro turbo

Your answer is right here in the link I posted in Post#5
tank screen - fuel remaining

In this post#3, Brian Carlton gave the socket size.
tank screen - fuel remaining

But to save all that time wasting reading while in waist deep gunk.

You will need a 1 13/16 socket or a 46mm socket.

the socket is a 3/4' drive, and by the time you drop that down to a 3/8' adapter, and insert your ratchet, it will be hitting on the axle or differential. not a lot of room. even tried with a swivel.
I do have a 3/4' breaker bar and still not enough room.

Finally after much agrivation, i got the floor jack under the diff. and remover the 4 13mm bolts and lowered the Diff. then plenty of room.

I think you are working of a TD, and may be different.

swing by your favorite sears and a craftsman socket is around $13. I got mine at a used tool store for a few $.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

This is what you need:

Alternative for 46mm socket on TD fuel sender

__________________
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