280SEL Fuel Tank Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ImBroke · #1 05-30-2022, 11:34 AM

Ok, so the only way to clean the tank is to cut it apart. Now that I have it apart, here's the question. How important is the fuel return surround for the screen? I think it's probably for anti sloshing of the fuel, but fuel cannot get to it, because it's so gunked up underneath of it. There are two tabs holding it down. I'm thinking of ripping it out, and then replacing it and rebending the tabs to keep it in place.
Question #2. The right side is the return, but what is the other hose for? There is nothing in the tank, so I'm not sure where it goes.
Thanks.

meltedpanda · #2 05-31-2022, 10:50 AM

one is exit and one is return.
And yes on the baffle, the screen traps the gunk the baffle keeps it from sloshing back out. How effective , not sure

cth350 · #3 05-31-2022, 02:12 PM

What you're doing is common surgery. The pot is presumably there for helping with vapor lock, hot fuel cavitating.

Plenty of folks have removed it without issue. Sure beats the price of a new tank.

-CTH

ImBroke · #4 06-03-2022, 08:25 PM

I figured it out. The return line was totally full of gunk. I removed the baffle thingy, soaked it in Carb Cleaner, and it came out very nice. I cleaned out the return line, so that's good to go. Tank is welded back together. Two more coats of POR-15, and I get to leak test.

meltedpanda · #5 06-03-2022, 10:14 PM

Good!

ImBroke · #6 06-06-2022, 10:11 AM

Tank has no leaks. Now to clean the supply and return lines to the fuel distributor.

Tomguy · #7 06-11-2022, 12:45 PM

I would have leak tested before POR-15, because if it's responsible for the no leaking situation, it won't be for very long. Hopefully it's not! Good fixing / restoring of an old tank - too many people resort to tossing in a replacement tank because it's "Easier" - but never cheaper.

ImBroke · #8 06-12-2022, 09:04 PM

I sealed it and then put the POR-15 over the top.

ImBroke · #9 06-12-2022, 09:07 PM

Supply line is clear, but the return line from the fuel distributor is plugged somewhere. Trying to figure out what I can rod through it, but so far no luck finding anything. Weed Eater line doesn't have the toughness to go through, and chemicals are having no effect. I really don't want to make a new metal line. Since it's just the return, I was thinking of cutting a piece of the metal line out and replacing with rubber fuel line.