I think the fuel feed and return lines in my car (1983 300D) may have been swapped by a PO. Reason I say this is this week, for the first time since I have owned the car I have let the fuel level drop below 1/2 tank. When the gauge got to the 1/4 tank mark (or a hair below it) the car started spitting and sputtering and finally died. (Luckily I was only a block from home, returning from a 30 mile trip). I put 5 gallons of diesel in the car from my spare can, and no more issues.

Today I looked at the fuel lines in the engine bay and this is what I have. From the two hard fuel lines, the top one has the cigar hose attached to it and it goes to the top of the spin on fuel filter housing. The bottom hard line has a rubber fuel hose attached to it and it goes to the clear plastic primary filter.

Can some please tell me if the hose are reversed or if I have another issue (faulty gauge or bad sending unit). Oh yes, the reserve light by the fuel gauge comes on when you start the car, but it never came on before I ran out of fuel.

Thanks,

Glenn

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Your fuel hoses are properly configured.

Well crap, that means I have another issue.......now, where to start.

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

I wouldn't trust you fuel gauge much below the 1/2 mark. Most of the 123's I've had and been in the needle gets pretty jumpy below the 1/2 tank mark. Your stalling issue could be clogged fuel filters, clogged tank vent in the rear, or a clogged tank strainer.
I'd try swapping the fuel lines in the engine bay. See if you're problem goes away. If so they the tank strainer is clogged, if the problem still persists then it's something else. If you get a sucking sound when you pull the fuel cap after driving for a while you're tank vent is clogged.

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Yes, the gauges are unreliable. I think you may just been running out of fuel. Nothing more complicated than that.

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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

Well, I cleaned the tank strainer about 3500 miles ago, and I just cleaned the tank vent last week (no whoosh when removing cap) so I think I am ok on that part.

Today I filled the tank to the brim (and I mean the brim) and reset the trip odo to zero. I am going to see roughly how many miles I get before the gauge hits the 1/2 mark and go from there. I figure I am getting about 25-27 mpg (rough estimate) and with a 20 gallon tank I estimate the trip odo should read between 250 and 275 at the half way point. At the very least I should get an idea about the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of the gauge/sender.

What are others getting at the half tank mark????

__________________
2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)