What's up with the fuel filters on this year model? I see the cannister filter but can't find the plastic in-line fliter like I had on my 83's. There is some kind of bright white plastic thing near the twist to release manual pump, but it looks a little more purposeful than just a simple in line filter. I do see an inline filter but it looks like it is attached to nothing but vacuum lines, no liquid observed.

FWIW, used LiquidAir vacuum thing to change the oil. Worked great. Engine took on a little over 8qts for the fill and the oil is still clean looking on the dipstick after a quick drive. Nice easy oil change without laying down in snow.

Thanks

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1985 300D 197K - Semi-Daily Driver Diesel
1998 Volvo V70 AWD 226K - Daily Driver 2
1998 Volvo S70 140K - Wife's DD
2003 GMC Sonoma ZR2 Option - Rusty Truck
THE BABY 1958 220S Sedan 66K All original, never restored and never will be.

You should have an inline filter hooked up to the supply line, just like others you may have seen.

Any pics?

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83 SD

84 CD

White plastic thingy near your primer pump is the primary filter. In-line filter in the vacuum lines is there to catch any oil if the shut off diaphragm or pump diaphragm fail and as an indicator of that failure.

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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

A picture is worth a thousand words !!
If you follow the fuel line to the lift pump & dont find a filter, chances are some cretin has deleted it in the cars past.
I would be checking for a strainer in the tank. Some of the hippies delete it because it blocks from the C##P WVO they put in the tank, may be some bright spark has deleted the primary filter because it was doing its job.

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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

Here is my 85. It has the "Primary Filter". They all should have it. If you have the white "screw type" primer pump, it can be replaced with a much better (smaller) "black one". My fuel is orange/red because it is B99. #2 will be green.

Also, be sure your cigar hose is intact and has not been replaced with "just a piece of regular hose".

The "No liquid observed line" is the vent line for the vacuum system. It should be clear and empty. It goes to "nowhere" through a firewall grommet and vents into the passenger compartment. I removed it and it is not visible in this photo along with the other vaccuum related (junk) on the fender well.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

That white plastic thing the OP mentioned is likey the in-line filter. Had one on my car once, they are not transparant like new ones, thinner, and I believe were OEM at the time but could be mistaken.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Correct, the white thing is indeed the inline filter used by MB back in the day. Replaced them on many an engine.......

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‘84 300TD “Mountain Goat”
'62 300d Adenauer-350 Chevy - "Max"
'15 VW Passat TDI
'16 Dodge Ram 3500 - Cummins w/6-speed
'68 Mustang fastback
'55 T-bird
‘63 Studebaker Hawk

I Concur. White thing is right where I would have expected to see the "see-thru" filter. I'll change that and the big guy too. The tank filter, it it like my vary old mercedes, a big nut with a screen attached? I'm not having fuel issues but better to avoid than have it freak out 500 miles from home.
Thanks for the replies folks. B99 is in the future for me.

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1985 300D 197K - Semi-Daily Driver Diesel
1998 Volvo V70 AWD 226K - Daily Driver 2
1998 Volvo S70 140K - Wife's DD
2003 GMC Sonoma ZR2 Option - Rusty Truck
THE BABY 1958 220S Sedan 66K All original, never restored and never will be.