I think my fuel tank is pretty gummed up. Is it an option at all to just replace the whole tank? I wasn't able to find a price on one at most of the places I checked. I'm guessing they are insanely expensive and only available from MB?

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"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

Take the tank out and clean it! Drain the fuel, remove tank, take out sender and use high pressure water to knock off the big chunks. Use Simple Green full strength, throw in a bunch of 3/8" ball bearings and swirl it around to knock off and disolve the gunk. Finally, take out the tank screen and cut it off. It's not really needed, just causes problems down the road.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

does that work the same on the baffled tanks in the wagons? I mean, can you get the stuff cleaned out of the bottom compartment?

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"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

see if there is a radiator repair shop in your area that can steam clean the tank for you.
also, you can pour in some stardone or startron not sure the brand... it's gunk remover/killer dissolver for the diesel tank, and it'll clean out your tank, filters and all.
reverse the fuel supply and return hoses going to your primary filter, but don't run your tank below 1/4 level. itll flush out your screen, and all the gunk will collect in your primary filter and flush out your system.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Clean it with ball bearings, or a few short pieces of chain. Hang the tank on a rope from something like a rafter or a tree branch (if you're a redneck) and shake it back and forth.

My 95 was gummed up, but it was also really rusty at the filler neck. I bought a used one from Potomac German Auto.

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

How far can you travel to get one?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/1923881527.html

Sixto
87 300D

Any time we have needed to repair a fuel tank on our earth moving gear, we take it to a factory (local cannery) with a decent boiler & purge it with steam for a day or 2, it works well.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Well, I pulled the tank screen and it was clean surprisingly. I put some mineral spirits through the lines and blew them out with compressed air. Prior to this, my primary filter was clogged up after only ~40miles of driving. I'm guessing it was because I had the lines switched because I thought the screen was clogged. I have not pulled the tank yet. I want to see if if clogs up again and then I will try cleaning it out.

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"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

Early on when I was considering my first diesel purchase, I was told to change the oil on a time/mileage schedule, change the fuel filters often, buy diesel from a place that sells in volume, and clean the tank/fuel system as often as I could (realistically every 2-3 years).

I will be removing the tank on two of our 300s this fall.

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83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.