I put together a guide to replace or clean the fuel tank strainer. Any input is always appreciated. Thanks everyone.

https://lermscustoms.com/blogs/news/mercedes-benz-diesel-fuel-tank-strainer-cleaning-replacement-instructions

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If it is on a W123 (see attached picture) The Hex on the screen is so thing that if your socket has a lot of angle/taper/radius on it there will not be much to grip the hex with.

You either find a socket that does not have that feature or you have to and or otherwise grind that area off.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Has anyone used a ' bore scope ' type tool to inspect the in-tank filter?

What are the negatives in using one to check for severity of blockage?

I had algae in a dump truck's fuel tank. Tried having it cleaned at a shop, tried a 4000 psi power washer with adjustable tip, nothing would remove the ' silicone glue ' type residue. Finally decided to build a wood fire and after cooking all sides, the thick coating was cooked away and left a stain that the heat wouldn't cook off. Repainted tank and no more trouble while I owned it.

On the W123s if you have 1/2 tank of fuel you can swap the position of the Cigar Hose (you may need a longer section of hose for that) which is fuel going back to the fuel tank and the Fuel Inlet Hose that goes to the Fuel Injection Pump. That reverses the flow and you are sucking in Fuel with no Fuel Tank Screen. Good enough for a test to see if your Tank Screen is plugged.
If your performance improves after swapping the position of the hoses your tank screen is likely plugged. (Note this presumes you changed your fuel filters and there was no difference in performance and now you are looking to see if it is the fuel tank screen.)

Startron for diesels and likely some other companies have stuff that they say has an enzyme in it that not only kills the stuff in the fuel tanks but breaks it up small enough to pass through the filters.

However, there has been a few who had the issue so bad one treatment did not work.

Products without the enzyme action kill the stuff but if you don't drain the tank of it you will be spending money changing filters as the dead clog the fuel filters.

Also cleaning a fuel tank does not clean out the tubing going to and from the fuel tank.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel