300TD tank strainer - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

NoSparkNeeded · #1 06-14-2008, 06:11 PM

When repairing my fuel gauge sender, I found it pretty much full of
sludgey brown stuff. Although the car car runs great, a mercedesshop
member suggested cleaning the tank strainer. I'd like to know if in addition
to being the strainer, is it also the tank drain plug? Should I time this task to
the point of running out of fuel to minimise the mess when removing the strainer? I didn't know about the fuel sender being a tube full of diesel when I pulled it out,hehe. I had no choice at that point but to let it run out in the gutter ( or in the back of the wagon ). I didn't realize that diesel didn't
exactly evaporate quickly. As a result I had to see the stain in the gutter and smell it, until I cleaned it up with garage floor cleaner. So now that I know.... I have a 12 quart drain pan for changing the oil in my XJS that I can use to catch the diesel, but then disposing of the stuff is a pita, I'd just like
to minimise what comes out. Does this strainer removal drain out everything?

Ryan Z · #2 06-14-2008, 07:56 PM

Wouldn't hurt to run fuel to low limit. Disconnect the hose and drain remaining fuel. Strainer takes a big socket. Here's a pic of my old one.

----------------------
1984 MB 300 SD Turbo

kdvrwgn · #3 06-14-2008, 09:19 PM

If you have a 300td (wagon) it is not a big socket, It is a big hex nut (no need to diconnect a fuel line on a wagon). I can't remember the size (do a search) but run the tank to reserve plus some. there is still alot in there. Pull the strainer and pour the diesel back in to flush it with the strainer still off. clean the strainer and replace the gasket (if so inclined) and you should be good to go.

Brian Carlton · #4 06-15-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

Should I time this task to
the point of running out of fuel to minimise the mess when removing the strainer?

There is no drain plug.

However, courtesy of Kerry, the best and cleanest and easiest procedure, by far, is as follows:

Reduce tank level to about 5 gallons (just above the E mark) by driving vehicle.

Disconnect fuel return line (cigar hose) under the hood and route the line into a five gallon container.

Start engine.

Return into house and have another cup of coffee.

Return to vehicle in 15 minutes and find vehicle has stalled.

Change strainer.

Replace 5 gallons of fuel into tank.

Pump primer pump 50 times.

Start engine.

Done.

Chad300tdt · #5 06-15-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

There is no drain plug.

No disrespect to you Brian. I know it's not called a drain plug, but if you remove the tank strainer with fuel in the tank, it will definitely allow the remaining contents to "drain". I think even with Kerry's wonderful idea, there will still be some fuel that will need to be caught in a pan or a wad of shop rags or it will end up on the floor.

Another benefit to Kerry's method of emptying the tank is that the fuel will be strained and filtered and you won't need additional filtering before putting it back in your tank when the strainer is cleaned and reinstalled.

If your strainer is really gunked up, you might want to use some biocide in your next few tanks and keep some extra filters in your car.

EDIT:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=218057
Post #2 has a photo of the tool I use to remove the strainer on a wagon.

dieseldiehard · #6 06-15-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Z

Wouldn't hurt to run fuel to low limit. Disconnect the hose and drain remaining fuel. Strainer takes a big socket. Here's a pic of my old one.
(cut)
----------------------
1984 MB 300 SD Turbo

I don't know where you got that strainer, with the hose barb coming out of it, its not like the OE ones on the TD's. see attached pic
The OE strainer also functions as a drain plug and has a hex opening in the center, I use a large (huge really!) hex wrench to remove them, its over an inch and I had to skim the sides with a belt sander to make it fit, I suppose its officially a Metric size.
You can also just grab the outside lip with a big vice grip or slip-lock pliers and twist it loose (hopefully when the tank is really near empty, or you get a lot of fuel coming out! BTDT

Consider yourself lucky, working on the wagon makes it easy to see the status of the fuel tank, just lift the covers above it and remove the fuel level sender and use a flashlight you can look down into the tank and see whats lurking in there. you can't do that on a sedan.
DDH

kerry · #7 06-15-2008, 12:06 PM

Here's the original thread on the topic. I got less than 1/16th of a cup out of the tank after following this method.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=205878&highlight=draining+fuel+tank&page=2

NoSparkNeeded · #8 06-15-2008, 12:32 PM

My strainer is the one with the giant "allen wrench" hole. I'm off to
the store right now to see if I can find one. The fuel return line idea
is what I'll do, plus I have a 12+ quart oil drain pan as a back up. I may do this project
today. I'll report back. Thanks for the advice. This forum sure is
a goldmine of information. I get things accomplished many times
faster with a good idea where to begin on things.

Sbean · #9 06-15-2008, 04:27 PM

I've checked my '80 300 TD strainer/plug a couple of times; never found it very dirty. I prepared a plug with a golf ball wrapped in a rag inside a plastic bag, and quickly jammed it up against the hole after quickly removing the strainer, and propped it in place with wood blocks or a 12-ton jack. I only had a cup or so of fuel fall into the pan I had in place. With this method I don't care how much fuel is in the tank. Other methods sound good too.
Steve

dieseldiehard · #10 06-16-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

My strainer is the one with the giant "allen wrench" hole. I'm off to
the store right now to see if I can find one. The fuel return line idea
is what I'll do, plus I have a 12+ quart oil drain pan as a back up. I may do this project
today. I'll report back. Thanks for the advice. This forum sure is
a goldmine of information. I get things accomplished many times
faster with a good idea where to begin on things.

See if you can find a 7/8 wrench, I believe thats close.
It took me a little filing to fit, just a few mils off each flat. I worked at a place where they had stock in all kinds of hex wrenches but no large metric, so I had to make-do.
If your screen has any gunk in it try some carb cleaner or brake cleaner to dislodge the stuff. Or a shot of compressed air.

dsmess · #11 06-17-2008, 04:50 PM

Maybe someone can explain how the 300TD strainer works. The sedan strainer has the fuel line hose attached in the center of the strainer. The 300TD fuel line is mounted elsewhere on the tank.....so if there is no fuel flow thru the strainer how does it accomplish anything?

Chad300tdt · #12 06-17-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmess

Maybe someone can explain how the 300TD strainer works. The sedan strainer has the fuel line hose attached in the center of the strainer. The 300TD fuel line is mounted elsewhere on the tank.....so if there is no fuel flow thru the strainer how does it accomplish anything?

Here's a diagram I drew to help explain. The tank in a wagon has two chambers.

EDIT: That bolt in the pic is another option some use as a tool to remove the strainer. I use a 13/16" spark plug socket turned backwards on an extension like this:

dsmess · #13 06-17-2008, 09:24 PM

Terrific.
Thanks!

kerry · #14 06-20-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Here's a diagram I drew to help explain. The tank in a wagon has two chambers.

EDIT: That bolt in the pic is another option some use as a tool to remove the strainer. I use a 13/16" spark plug socket turned backwards on an extension like this:

Just to clarify the situation: The second 'chamber' only exists immediately around the strainer. See this pictures:

dmorrison · #15 06-22-2011, 12:12 AM

A 22 MM bolt and 2 nuts will work to remove the wagon strainer. Jamb the 2 nuts on the bolt and use the appropriate sized wrench on the jambed nuts. The head of the bolt fits into the strainer.

Dave