Clogged tank strainer/screen?
 

This morning I had a Hell of a time starting my car, it was acting fuel starved. It finally started but I had to keep my foot on the accelerator to keep it from dying. On the way to work (fifteen minute drive) every time I stopped at a light it would start bucking and sputtering a little like it was going to run out of fuel. My fuel gauge has been accurate since I have owned the car, the needle is between the E and 1/4 marks. When I got to work I popped the hood and noticed the prefilter was almost empty, but when I moved the linkage and gave it some fuel it filled up quickly, then emptied just as quick when I released the linkage. I almost never let the tank get below 1/2 full, and this is the first time anything like this has happened. Is there something else it could be or should I start with the tank screen?

Thanks!

Primary Fuel Filter?

If you have enough fuel in your tank members have said you can swap the fuel inlet hose with the return hose where they come out of the tubing along the Fender Well. The would bypass the Fuel Tank Strainer and pull Fuel from a higher level.
However, I do not remember how much fuel you must have in the tank for this to work so I would search some threads.
The other method is to put some Diesel Fuel in a suitable container and hook up a longer Fuel Inlet hose submerge it in the Fuel container and see if it runs OK.

If your little primary filter does not cure the problem my bet would be on the tank strainer.The one in our car caused exactly the same problem and when i took it out there was black slime about 2/3 of the way up the screen so when the fuel got low it could not get enough thru the slime to run right. Don

If you can get the car to a compressed air supply try the following. Remove your fuel tank cap. Remove the incoming fuel line from the tank to the engine bay. Have someone listen at the tank filler tube as you put compressed air into the fuel line. If you hear it vigorously bubbling in the tank then your tank strainer and fuel line to the engine bay is clear.

This means the problem is with your lift pump or your fuel filter.

clogged strainer
 

the same thing happened to me on my 93 GMC pu. ran out of fuel with about 1/4 tank left. when I got it running, home and dropped the tank the screen was gummed up. it took the gravity of extra fuel to push the diesel so the pump could pickup. cleaned it and now it runs great even down close to empty, which I don't do normally. they're a bear to start when dry.:mad:

If the problem persists with low fuel levels but disappears with higher fuel levels, the tank screen is the culprit.

Startron
 

8 Oz. in the tank ,Drive it for 2-3 days Problems gone.

This what I would do....or some other brand of biocide.

Also the new fuel seems to eat away fuel lines. You could also be sucking air from a leaky line.

Tom W

I have switched fuel lines to see if the screen is plugged. You only need about three gallons in the tank for the return line to pick up fuel.

wrench size for strainer
 

does anyone know what size nut (the big one) is on an 87 300SDL or 85 CD tank screen. I thought 46mm but I'm not sure.

I am currently trying this. So far, I believe it works. I'm just on my first fill up. (another thing I found out is its good for dissolving oil stains from concrete driveway).

I am.;)

1 13/16 works perfectly, as well.

1-7/8 fits loose but works fine on the fuel sender. If the strainer is the same size as the fuel sender then 1-7/8 will probably work on the strainer.