Pulled the tank strainer- or what was left of it.

PO went at it with a dremel. I have no tank strainer. I ordered a new one, but decided to just leave it as is. I think I prefer to let the gunk in my tank work it's way out, and deal with it by changing my pre-filters. This way I never have to check the strainer again.

Any harm in this?

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1984 300CD

I don't think leaving it out will cause problems.

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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

the strainer when working properly builds up from the bottom, leaving you with bad fuel in the bottom of the tank and giving you a warning of sorts by having your car starve for fuel when it's partially clogged.
if it's disabled/removed, all gunk ends up in the primary and secondary filters, and they are not really big enough to handle the load of that. the strainer also will give additives and cleaners a place to work...

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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!

what if i add one of these bad boys pre-pre-filter

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-16-Chrome-Universal-Inline-HP-Fuel-Filter-NEW-/330494165360?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf2fcc170#ht_3824wt_1073

it looks like the tank strainer in a glass tube... that way i can see what would otherwise be collecting in the nether regions of the tank

__________________
1984 300CD

How is that???

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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

seconded. won't they be working on crud built up behind the strainer? if there is no strainer, the crud won't build up, and the additives and cleaners will still work downstream

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1984 300CD

If I were going to replace the strainer with anything, I'd put a water separating filter in the engine compartment with a visible water collection section and a drain.

Not sure how the sedan works, but in a TD there's about 3/4" of tank which lies below the inlet to the strainer in which all the crap accumulates.

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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

i've seen that thread here. doesn't that also replace the main filter and necessitate some modification to the mount?

__________________
1984 300CD

I'd just plumb it in prior to the primary filter.

__________________
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

I would not run one of these cars without the tank strainer...

but if it was not there I would listen to Kerry...
placing the new filter in an accessible place which can be seen well....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I actually looked for a water separating filter when I had the potassium hydroxide-in-the-tank issue. They were quite expensive. Far more expensive and far more complicated to install than a new tank strainer.

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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

Yeah, that was one for the record / museum / Ripley's books.... how are those neighbor relations doing after that ? LOL

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I don't think they're pricey and since you've got one on the way, take the opposite view and ask "is there any advantage in driving without one?"

I'd say "no advantage." These cars have now had decades and hundreds of thousands of miles of use. The old strainer was old and did its job. The new strainer is cheap protection for the more expensive fuel system. It's not like an oil filter you'll swap every 3000 miles. Assuming quality fuel and a more/less okay system right now what's your expectation to change or clean it - two years? three years?

If you're currently working a gunked tank problem, I'd WANT the strainer in there straining.

I wouldnt over "engineer" it, and simply replace the $20 tank filter. You'll never have to do it again unless you keep the car for 30 more years, which, then buy 2 now.

Those glass filters you picture, they suck at filtering. I know these arent high HP motors, but those things will starve a healthy small block V8.

Every car has a sock or filter in the tank to keep large particulates out of your steel line downstream. That is what they are for. Since we are "re-engineering" here. Lets do it via intended function. The duty cycle of that tank strainer has to be 10-20 years.

That Ebay glass filter looks like a good unit with metal barbs, they have a finer filter than the tank strainer filter, which is really coarse and does not do any fine filtration except to protect the fuel line under the car from big "chunks". When the tank strainer clogs, it's a much bigger job to change than the glass filter. I say leave the gutted tank strainer in, buy and install the glass filter. You'll be much better off.

__________________
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