There is rust in the filler neck of the tank of my 1987 300TDT. (There may be rust inside the tank, but I can't see in that area.) I would like to know if anyone has found a good solution for dealing with this rust? I have read there are polymer coatings that can be used, but I'm not sure if I trust the coating to last and not break down. The rust is just surface rust that has not caused any perforations (yet).

Right now the one option I know of is buying a new tank, but that is expensive at $650 for a new tank.

Thanks in advance,

-Steve

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1987 300TDT smoke silver w/ burgundy leather interior
2000 VW Passat wagon indigo blue w/ beige leather interior
1985 Mustang SVO
1970 Chevrolet K10 fleetside, shortbed

There should be good used clean fuel tanks around.

I just fixed my tank for my W123 using the POR-15 tank refinishing system.

Basically you pull the tank, clean it with a gallon of their super duper cleaner, etch it with (phosphoric?) acid, and then coat with POR-15. It is not so much fun and takes days to cure. It worked great, but it is labor intensive.

My advice is find a good used tank. I dont know for the 124's if the tanks are the same gas and diesel.

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

I suspect they are the same . . . the senders definitely are.

OTOH, the local Pick and Pull punches holes in the fuel tanks at their yard here. Don't know why but it makes reusing them a challenge.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Explained to me, is they punch holes so the fuel drains faster. I was at a LKQ U-Pull it in Portland,OR. and they told me the same story. It really sucks when looking for a tank.

The filler neck is seperate from the tank. Iam sure there is a rubber hose between the filler and the tank.

SWOGEE I know what your car looks like, Iam going to make my inventory run of the 4 PNP in our area. I have seen one like yours a while back.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I probably would not do anything about it until it causes a problem, which it may never.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate it.

I did more research and according to the EPC the gas and diesel wagons use different tanks so that pretty much constrains me to looking for only the 1987 model year since the diesel wagon was only offered that year. I think finding another 1987 300TDT with an intact tank will be like looking for a needle in a haystack since wagons in wrecking yards are rare to begin with.

There's been five different REVs of the tank since it was introduced as well. A new tank would also require a newer style cap as well.

Charmalu, thanks for looking in the PNP's for me but I think they puncture the tanks on purpose and I have yet to see a 1987 300TDT in a PNP. (I have seen 1987 300D's and 1988 - 1989 300TE's though.)

I would just leave it, but I have heard that rust is not good for the fuel system in general plus there seems to be an accumulation of algae in the tank that has destroyed two senders. It only costs $80 to boil the tank out, but it will only get rid of algae and not rust.

Any other thoughts?

-Steve

__________________
1987 300TDT smoke silver w/ burgundy leather interior
2000 VW Passat wagon indigo blue w/ beige leather interior
1985 Mustang SVO
1970 Chevrolet K10 fleetside, shortbed

As Diesel Dan said above, use the POR 15 fuel tank sealer.

I buy my POR from "The Finished Look" 1-800-827-6715 www.por-15.com
they are located in Sacramento.

Give them a call and get the straight scoop from them.

Iam no way connected to them or sell the stuff.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works