I can't get the tank strainer out.

1982 300TD wagon.

The big hex plug under the gas tank won't budge. I welded a big nut to a bolt to make a removal tool. But the damn plug won't turn. I don't want to pull too hard and either twist the drain or tank bottom. It feels like the tank it's self is going to give out.

Am I doing this right? Are the threads backwards? Is this NOT the tank screen?

Do I use a big pipe wrench and try to grab the outside of the plug and twist?

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1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

It should turn counterclockwise as you are under the car looking up towards it. Use the proper sized socket with an extension and breaker bar.

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Jim

Is it common for these to be super tight?

I can't use a socket. I need a monster allemn wrench. The plug has a hex insert. The outside is round with no place to put a socket or wrench.

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

I should count my blessings......when I went to unscrew the fited rubber line the strainer came out first. And your description does not match what was on my car, but then I don't have a wagon.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Recipe for monster allen wrench (MAW):

Grab a bolt with a head that fits tight in the hex. Tighten a couple jam nuts on the threads and you have a tool you can use with a breaker bar and cheater bar. Tanks aren't that difficult to come by in the South where the salt can't get them. Crank on it, counterclockwise. If the jamnuts won't hold, jam them with the MIG welder.

The wagon strainer is different than the sedan. Go to Lowes or Home depot and buy a bolt with the head the size of the insert (22MM). Jamb 2 nuts on it and use a wrench to loosin it. Mine was a little tight but came free. You may want to use an impact wrench if you have one. Also make sure there is no vacuum in the tank. Just take off the filler cap to do this.
Here is the post I made about the bolt and 2 jam nuts. Scrowl down a bit and you wil see it.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=85130&highlight=tank+screen+bolt+dave

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

sounds like I'm on the right track.

I already made a hex tool with a large nut and bolt. I'll just crank on the wrench a little harder this time. And use a little WD-40 on it.

I just didn't want to tear the tank up by mistake.

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

Fabulous Blaster is a lot better on rust & stuck fasteners IMHO than Liquid Wrench, WD40, or any of the others I have tried. I have backed out small block
exhaust fasteners using it without breaking anything (to install or change headers). FB used to be hard to find, but it's in most auto parts stores or sections now ...

Anything like PB Blaster?

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

Mine was stuck too. Hadn't moved in 20 years. Soaked it overnight, tapped it, soaked it again, put a 4ft extension on the breaker bar (a pipe), wiggled the wrench both ways a few times, then pulled "lefty loosy" as hard as I could and had a helper hit the pipe end with a maul. Two wacks did it. Thankfully the plug had a hex socket in it - was smart enough (that time) to wrap some tape on the working end of the wrench to make sure the wrench fit tightly into the cleaned out socket. It's amazing how tight a little bit of corrosion can hold together. Remember to change the gasket or o-ring,

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daBenz - 1970 220D