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  #1  
Old 12-19-2011, 04:28 PM
Alex
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Parksville BC
Posts: 20
380SL 1981 erratic idleing on 1/2 tank

Good Day all,
My 380sl 1981 has a nasty problem:
-When the gas tank is more than half full than the engine runs fine.
-When the tank is less than half full than the engine runs erratic, from 500 RPM to 2000.
Finally shuts down, and than a gurgling sound comes from the tank like it is sucking air back in. After that the engine is very hard to start. The problem goes away when I add 40 liters (the tank is that more than half full). The previous owner already knew this problem.

I figure it must be a dirty filter inside the gas tank, if there is one. Things are fine when the filter is completely submerged, after that the trouble starts.

Any help would be appreciated.

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  #2  
Old 12-20-2011, 02:47 PM
meltedpanda's Avatar
Certified Benzaholic
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central Ky
Posts: 6,265
or vacuum lock. there is a line that exits under the car, check to assure that it is not blocked, or yours may go to a charchol canister , make sure that is it venting correctly. Also the gas cap must be proper to vent as well
Try running it without gas cap when the issue arrises and see if that cures the issue
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  #3  
Old 12-22-2011, 04:29 PM
Alex
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Parksville BC
Posts: 20
Meltedpanda,

Thank you for your answer.
I will have to trace the mentioned venting lines. My SL has a charcoal filter.
The filler cap is hard to remove, and have to check that one somehow.
I siphoned 3 liters of gas into a tall clear flower vase, and no sign of water.
Reading further the many answers on-line, one was interesting. The strainer in the tank is fully submerged when the tank is between full and ¼. That may explain the trouble when the tank is less than ½ and parked on a slight slope and the Internal Tank Filter (strainer) is clogged (which I suspect). This does not explain that gurgling sound.
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  #4  
Old 12-22-2011, 09:57 PM
meltedpanda's Avatar
Certified Benzaholic
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central Ky
Posts: 6,265
try removing the fill cap next time the issue surfaces
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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #5  
Old 12-24-2011, 06:34 PM
82 380SL & 96 SL500
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 245
No filter in the tank. However there's a "swirl pot" which you can see in pics at this link.

Help: Anyone familiar with fuel tank internals? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Though it should allow gas to enter even at low tank levels, it could be partially blocked. It could also be the tank screen if you haven't cleaned or replaced it, or a half dozen other issues.

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