Flushing Fuel Tank on 01 SL320

[rajinder_1]

Hi
Does anyone know how you would flush the whole of the fuel tank on a 2001 SL????
As per my previous threads ive got some sort of fine sand/sludge that does not mix in with petrol in my tank and it was a full tank as well???

Raj

[flbenz]

I'm going through the same process/question with a much older car - 76 450sl.

So I don't have the exact answer to your question but some observations. It wouldn't seem that your 5 year old car has rust corrosion problems in the tank.

So if that's the case there's probably no need to consider pulling the whole tank and re-lining (see other threads on that).

On my car I've been able to disconnect the fuel line hoses and just drain all the fuel from the bottom. An alternate would be to siphon the fuel out.
If the car has just been moving a lot of your sludge/sand will get suspended in the gas when it moves (thus easier to drain) - it settles out when the car sits overnight, or longer.

I'd try draining from the bottom, then adding another gallon or two of new gas and letting that drain out more sludge, too.
But you do have the pain of a few gallons of bad gas then, and it's a messy job.
Be careful if you do this and disconnect battery, work in a well-ventilated area, etc.

Remember, unless you have a horrible problem your fuel filer should catch this stuff.

[rajinder_1]

Guys,
Tanks is being flushed!!! not removed from car but they have used around 2 gallons of clean petrol to flush out some of the crap, also will be changing fuel filter £55 from MB!!!!!! for a filter!!!!!! so they bought aftermarket £30!!!! they advised that they wont remove the tank but to replace filter after 500 miles another £30 ......
what do you think???? will it be ok???

Raj

[flbenz]

It sounds fairly reasonable. Changing filters twice is a bit much but it's much cheaper than engine or injector problems.
Better safe than sorry.