W123 Tank Screen Question
 

Hi all,

So I'm going through my 85 300td (235,000), and I'm going to check my tank screen.

I was looking at pictures of new ones, and it appears to be a metal mesh screen, not a fiber or paper filter. If I'm looking at it correctly and it is metal, is it actually necessary to replace it, or will a good soaking in the parts washer and some brake cleaner do the trick? I've never checked one of these, so please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just asking. I won't think twice about buying a new one if necessary, but from the pictures I'm looking at, it does look like something that can be cleaned and reused.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Bryan

I've been able to clean all the nasty ones i've ever seen

Swapping inlet and outlet lines will tell you if there's a problem with the tankscreen. If you pull the line from the primary fuel filter and fuel runs out from the tank, that's also another way of confirming a clean tank screen.

If it hasn't been tampered with, how far down does the return line go into the tank? Should I test it will a full tank of fuel?

Regarding pulling lines from the filter, should I pull the line before the filter?

Thanks for the replies!

Bryan

Yes, pull the line before the primary filter. Yes, swap the lines on a full tank.

I have been saying on several Forums to have at least 1/2 Tank of Fuel and no one has given Me negative feedback on that.
However, if you swap the Lines and it works like that and you decide to use the Car as is you need realize that with the Fuel being drawn from a higher position in the Tank you will run out of Fuel before the Fuel Gauge reaches empty.
This especially be a problem if you let someone else use the Car.

You swap the Fuel Return Hoses (Cigar Hose) and the Fuel Inlet Hose right were the tubing comes off the Fender Well.

TD has a flat mounted tank as opposed to the vertically mounted tank in the sedan. This makes somewhat of a difference in how the return link picks up fuel on a low tank.

Then He would be better off with a Full Tank.