Hi,my 240D mercedes is dying out seems like its running low on fuel,sometimes it might even completely die and i have to stand like 20 min untill i slowly start it back up,and sometimes it runs great,really easy on the throttle and still runs good and i times it feels like its just loosing power and off and on,sometimes i can even slow down to like 45mph on the freeway and than slowly starts going after a while,i already changed the both fuel filters a couple times,changed airfilter,oil,gas cap,i dont know and i put injector cleaner in the tank because the previous owner ran it on veggie oil,now its completely running on diesel,ive been told to flush the tank and clean it with diesel or the injectors can be bad or cloged up...can you guys please help???

It could be bacteria in the tank (sounds like a classic case actually). Get some biocide and give your tank a good treatment and check back with us.

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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.

The fuel strainer in the tank is likely clogged

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

+1 my 1st thought.

Means use as much fuel as you can out of the tank, or siphon it out, then you need to drain the rest and pull the metal strainer out and clean it.

Check you fuel filters again too . . . could be they filling up with crud again!

Did it run better after you last filter change, and then get worse as you drove? Or no difference?

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82 240D Manual 277K and still rolling!
02 Volvo S60 AWD For Sale

What solvent/method do you guys recommend cleaning the tank strainer with? Thanks.

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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)

If you remove the strainer, you can simply back flush it with just about anything in a spray can, such as the penetrant of your choice, or even the garden hose just make sure it's dry before you re-install. Or replace it. If you Google "biocide diesel", you'll find many items to put in the tank. Keep an eye on your primary filter.

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83 SD

84 CD

the "biocide diesel", will kill stuff in your tank but will produce a lot of dead Bodies that will plug up your filters.
This leaves you with a choice of changing a lot of filters afterwards until they are gone or pulling out the Fuel tank and havine it cleaned. Some of the biocides claim they have an enzyme/s that break up the dead Bodies.

Cleaning the Tank Filter is the easiest part of the problem.

There must be more detailed info on this in the do-it-yourself, DIY LInks under the Resources tab at the top of the page.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

To cleaner that strainer you need to run the fuel down as it's, SURPRISE, located on the bottom of the tank.
Do what you feel is best, yet for me I would try the easiest first.

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83 SD

84 CD

Hey Guys,it seems like most of you agreed that's it's a fuel problm I maean the tank needs to be cleaned and the strainer cleaned,well I went to some guys that I know that work on big rig trucks and they said clean it with Diesel. They said there is watter in the tank possibly. And someone said clean it with some spray bottle I don't know how that would work or maybe they meant clean the strainer. It's been getting pretty poor gas mileage too I would say. It's my first Diesel so....I just heard these 240D's get between 30-45mpg. One more thing is it best to take the fuel tank off before cleaning it???


Thanks for the help guys. Seems like you guys really know what you talking about.

Since I burn BD, I wanted as spotless a fuel system as possible so I pulled my tank, cleaned and flushed it,fuel strainerand fuel sender, replaced all filters and rubber lines with viton. Trying to get it all done once and avoid clogs later. It has worked fine.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

MPG depends on many factors, get your car straightened out and check again. I rather doubt 30 much less even more, close maybe, but not 30 mpg.
If you are going to clean the tank, then yes, remove it and have it cleaned out. If you are just going to clean or replace the strainer, no.

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83 SD

84 CD

Did it run better after you last filter change, and then get worse as you drove? Or no difference?[/QUOTE]




WELL IT RAN TE SAME AFTER THE FUEL FILTER CHANGE,BOTH CANISTER AND SMALL ONE,SO IM GUESSING THEY ARE NOT THE PROBLEM...

Here are instructions on the best way to drain your fuel tank in order to clean the strainer:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=1691591&postcount=19

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

So it seems like the fuel tank needs to be cleaned and that strainer,i never took off the fuel tank where would it be located?

its in the trunk. have to remove the back wall of the trunk to get to it.

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1982 240D - 251,000 miles (all parts pulled and for sale, body crushed )
1983 240D 4 speed manual - 233,000 miles
2001 Ford Ranger XLT 4WD