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#1
04-01-2008, 08:59 AM
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Why does the expansion tank have 3 lines going to it?
I noticed a small drip of diesel coming from the front corner of the drivers side rear wheel well. A funny spot for diesel to be coming from, I thought. So I look in behind the spare tire (wagon) and the expansion tank lines are weeping. They're the old fabric-covered fuel lines. I guess a couple tankfuls of biodiesel has had its way with the rubber in the fuel lines.
So the first question is, does anyone know the size of these hoses off hand? One is bigger than the other two. If not I'll have to wait until I can park the car, remove them, and ride the bike to the hose shop. Second, why are there 3 lines? Third, what does this tank do? Is it an overflow tank for when I top off all the way up to the fuel cap? Thanks, -Geoff
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1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi 1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now 
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#2
04-01-2008, 09:21 AM
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It's a fuel expansion tank. One line comes from the tank and one goes to a funnel shaped overflow cap that is near the rear passenger side door. I'm not sure about the third line, maybe it's an air vent line.
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys
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#3
04-01-2008, 09:29 AM
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Something to inspect. If your tank is plastic, which my '85 Federal was, they are very very prone to cracking. Mine was cracked in 3 different places. It drips down and looks like weeping lines. I would pull it out and look for cracks near the nipples for the lines, and also along the seams.
Older models had a metal expansion tank, and I purchased one from a forum member. JB Weld did NOT fix the problem..... BTW, I used small vise grips to keep the lines from dripping during inspection.
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Jimmy L. '05 Acura TL 6MT  2001 ML430 My Spare Gone: '95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black '85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White '80 240D 154K "China"  Scar engine installed'81 300TD 240K "Smash" '80 240D 230K "The Squash" '81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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#4
04-01-2008, 09:32 AM
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That's a good tip Jimmy. I ended up ordering a new expansion tank since mine was cracked beyond repair and the nipples were even snapped off.
If I had it to do over again, I would look for a used metal tank too. The new plastic one was around $120. 
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys
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#5
04-01-2008, 09:50 AM
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Hmm...cracks in the plastic...mine is plastic, and it didn't look too old, but I'll have to take a close look at it when I get it out again. Any idea when they switch from steel tanks? I guess that'll be what I look for next.
__________________
1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi 1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now
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#6
05-03-2008, 02:12 PM
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Okay, I took the expansion tank out and pulled the lines off...two of the three nipples are cracked. My first instinct was to clean off the area and JB weld to fix the cracked nipples, then I read Jimmy's post again. Dern...I'll start looking for a metal tank I guess.
Here's a question though...I just plugged the lines going to the tank, can I run it safely like this? Can I just NOT fill the main tank all the way? Anyone know where I can find a metal tank
__________________
1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi 1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now
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