1981 300D

Is it possible for the system to suck air? I've driven this car for over a month...and love it. I never let it go below 1/2 fuel tank. But last week I drove it until it reached the 1/4 mark. I refilled and got in the highway. About 1 minute later...the engine looses power and I have to pull over.

Wondering what could be wrong...I remembered about the manual fuel pump. I loosened the main filter nut and pumped like 10 times. Tight the nut and the car starts normally again...and I'm able to drive again with no problem.

Has something like this happen to any of you? I assume it was just air in the system...or is it the sign of something more serious?

The gauge may be off.
How much fuel did you put in versus how much the tank holds?. It's possible you were running out.
Did the same thing on my 240, mine just would start at the station it ran out just as Ipulled in. thank God for the little pump. Also not a good idea sucking the stuff off the bottom.

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Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

The gage seems to be working fine. When I stopped at the gas station, the needle was a hair below the 1/4 mark. The tank needed 15.5 gallons to get full. So I assume there were 4.5 gallons left in the tank.

By the way, I got 29 mpg after I put a new air filter after the previous refill.

Possible theres a little trash in the bottom of the tank.
Have you ever put a new filter in the bottom?
I also put a dent in the bottom of one of my 240s and 15,5 was about all it took when the dent made it seem empty.
I believe in looking for the simple things first.

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

To be on the safe side, I replaced both the pre-filter and main filter today. I purged all the air out. When I pumped a few times...the brand new pre filter began to show rather big brown chunks of debris. I wonder what's going on. Fourtunately, the car is running like a charm. But, it does raise some concern...

Drain the tank and replace the filter at the tank. It screws directly into the bottom of the tank.
You don,t need any debris getting into your injection pump.
Being as fussy as I am I would probaly blow out the lines to.
I hope your tank isn't rusting from inside out??

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

I wasn't aware of a fuel filter attached to the tank. What type is it? Where can I find it? Thanks.

Check for a leaking fuel line, too -- under suction it will leak air in.

I think the sending unit and in-tank filter are accessable by removing the tray under the first aid kit in the rear package shelf. There is a fine mesh filter on the end of the pickup line.

Most likely you will need to have the tank cleaned -- sounds like it is full of crud.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!