Wow I just did something extremly dumb, but you guys will get a good laugh out of it...

It all starts with my lovely VW Golf, yeah I love that thing. Anyway it had a flat tire so I figured I would put on the spare and drive to the tire store to get it patched...since were fresh out of plugs or I would have done it on the car. Anyway I noticed the tire well had accumulated about a half gallon of water, I have no idea how but it was pretty full. So I decided to drill some drain holes, I put a 1/2 bit in the drill and started drilling...after the drill popped through it hit me and I'm sure the look on my face was priceless! Well it seems VW puts the fuel tank below the spare tire well...unlike the Mercedes I am used to...so guess what? Well my drain hole worked perfectly...most of the water drained out... into the fuel tank... The car also won't run now because the fuel filter is full of water, damn I was just getting the water out of the tank from the PO leaving it out without the cap on for a year. Now I have to start again.

Luckly the tank only has about 5 gallons in it, so its not leaking if I jack it up a bit.

Any idea how to fix this? I'm thinking about using one of those temp oil pan drain plugs with a ton of RTV. Change the fuel filter, and add a ton of dry gas. I don't think to much water got in the tank since there is a gap between the spare tire well and tank...but a quart probably found its way in.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think its time to get the VW replaced.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Sounds like something I would do.

I assume that your proposed repair method requires drilling. Is it safe to do that on a tank full of gasoline vapors? I would worry about that and about getting filings in the tank.

HA!

I wonder what kind of surprises theDON is gunna find on the SDL?

lucky guy

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lol... I guess you've been spoiled with the fuel tank in the SDL being in the car.

Yeah I plan on drilling out a 2in hole with a hole saw in the steel spare tire well. Than I'll drill a larger hole in the tank for the plug, probably 5/8 or 3/4. I'm not to worried about a bit of plastic getting in the tank, the fuel filter will handle it...its the water that's going to be fun.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Well I drilled holes in the SD to drain, the SDL's to nice of a car for that kind of hack repair...I fixed the leak on the SDL.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

remove the fuel tank and drain it.

This sounds like your subconscious talking to you Hattie...it is sabotaging the VW in the hope that you'll junk it and get another MB.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

RTV wont work. Gasoline will dissolve the sealer. Use an epoxy for fuel tank repair. POR15, Plastic Weld or something of it's ilk. JB-Weld might work. I don't remember if you can immerse it in gasoline.

Well I just changed the fuel filter and the car still won't start...damn looks like I may be yanking the tank.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Your half-way there, now just drill a hole in the bottom of the fuel tank

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Hat- your not a moron, stop thinking about yourself like that, its bad for your self esteem.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Thanks for the laugh, good to hear you are taking it in stride. I would think you would need to drop the tank to drain and repair it.

Reminds me of the time my neighbor asked me if I had any windshield washer fluid. He a Ford Escort wagon and was attempting to fill the rear window washer reservoir. I found he poured an entire gallon into the rear fender well because the filler hose was disconnected.

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'86 300E 5 speed
'71 Triumph TR6
'46 Cushman Scooter
'41 Ford 9N tractor

Than throw a match at it and call Allstate.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200