|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Time for my diesel shower... perhaps?
I've been noticing a power loss as my tank gets below 1/3. Since both fuel filters are new, the next logical course of action is to clean the tank strainer/sender.
Tonight it was getting very bad, taking around 30 seconds to get up to 40 and barely maintaining that speed. The fuel is down to a trickle coming into the primary filter (should be full at all times correct?); I'm surprised its running at all. I tried switching the return and incoming line, but it offered no improvement. I'm not sure whether I should dismiss this because the tank is low, or go after the sender first. Opinions? I'm intentionally allowing the fuel to run low so I can easily drain the tank if needed. Where do I get to the sender, btw?
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Hey Tyler,
I'm assuming this is on Norm right? The sender can be accessed from inside the car in the hatch area. I used two channel locks to unscrew it. One to bite the sender and the other to grab the first and turn it out. The sender is kind of sunken down and one pair of channel locks couldn't get a clean bite and have the proper leverage to turn it out. Also, take Kerry's tip about draining the tank. Disconnect the fuel return line under the hood and run it onto a fuel can. Then let the car run until it stalls out. Your tank will be empty and the fuel will be filtered and ready to pour back in when you're done cleaning the strainer.
__________________
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 Last edited by whunter; 10-24-2008 at 03:55 PM. Reason: attached picture |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
In addition, there is no whooshing noise when I loosen the fuel cap.
Nope.... Its on good Ol' Turbo....
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! Last edited by TylerH860; 10-23-2008 at 11:45 PM. |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Tyler....which car?
The fuel sender is UNDER the first aid kit compartment in a a 300D sedan; remove 2 screws and then remove the first aid kit compartment. The fuel sender for your wagon is under the black tray that is in the back of the hatch area. Have you tried loosing your fuel filler cap? Maybe it has a vacuum on it.
__________________
daw_two Germantown, TN Links: Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior Cluster Needles Paint New Old Stock (NOS) parts Past: 3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda" 04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben" & many more |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Oh well, you can still do the tank draining trick.
__________________
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 |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Just get a bucket. It's really not a bad job if you can drain most of it before you remove the strainer. Make sure you have a socket that will fit before you start the job. It takes a fairly short socket.
__________________
Palangi 2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz 2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser 2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg 2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE 0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
While I like the Kerry method, I imagine it will take a very long time to drain the tank. Siphoning seems to be faster given my clogged situation. Backing up one side on a ramp should help matters as well.
Yes, I need to get a hold of a 46mm socket, or 1 13/16 correct?
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
No the primary filter usually has an air bubble. If you mean the actual line coming in to the filter is not full that is different. What I find troubling is the switching of lines brought no relief. Ran exactly the same I assume. If so the lift pump itself is becoming suspect. Ingesting of air into the fuel line by the same token was also eliminated for all practical purposes by switching the fuel and return lines. So was an obstructed tank filter.
Your description unfortunatly already eliminates a retained vacuum in the fuel tank as well. Now an air leak into the primer pump might give you the symptoms as well. The only fly in that ointment is it is after the primary filter. So even if it was leaking air that would not be reflected downstream. Looks like a weak lift pump more than anything by your description. I might be missing something or another as it is late and I am getting sleepy. Last edited by barry123400; 10-24-2008 at 12:01 AM. |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
I agree the lift pump may be the problem, but from the search I've done before posting this thread the same symptoms have produced by someone accidentally switching the intake and return lines.
I guess I will pull the line and see what happens... hopefully its not bath time.
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I haven't removed a strainer in a sedan, but I've noticed that it has a fuel line in the middle of it. Just unhook that line from where ever it goes and let that drain into a bucket. Then you can use your 46mm socket to remove it. If it is clogged, or there is gunkage in the tank then I imagine your fuel filters are compromised again. So, drain and clean tank and strainer, replace filters and you should be golden....... [a wagon strainer is so much easier to remove] To throw daw a little luv, whenever I remove and clean a strainer I also remove and clean the sender. He let you know where it is....... BTW, do you have the old style primer pump? You should update to the newer style if you still have the old one. I've had the new style leak, but it didn't suck air for whatever reason.....
__________________
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 |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Got my bath...
The fuel is flowing out of the tank like Niagra falls. No trickling, no small stream, but a full flow. Oh boy...
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I had to revise my post when I found out you had eliminated tank vacuum as a possibility already. Then I noticed it was a station wagon. At that point I realized I was tired. I suspect you will get good flow from the fuel line at the tank. I too would still check it though. Another component of my earlier guess was the head of fuel or pressure present on a much deeper sedan tank until it got low. The depth of a station wagon tank very much lessens that possibility as well. Reduces the lift pump possibility a small to medium amount as the cause. |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
BTW, it is his sedan....
__________________
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 |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Yes, it is the sedan...
Jeeze, brain fart... Of course its rushing out of there now. I have rear of the car way off the ground up on my ramps The hand primer is fully functioning now, further pointing to the strainer I suppose. I seem to always over think things.
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
I have yet to have the strainer cause a problem. I've never really pulled out one that was very dirty. Maybe I've just been lucky though. Haven't had the horrible fungus amongus........
__________________
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 |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|