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  #1  
Old 08-23-2025, 08:48 PM
Rosenfe
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: fairfax,ca.
Posts: 727
Question as to remove 300td fuel tank or not

Recently I bought a 80 300td that had been sitting for a few years. It ran well. The clear filter was black, so I changed it and main filter. Then it began acting fuel starved. I couldn’t fill plastic filter pumping at loft pump. I’ve rebuilt lift pump, new primer, sent out injectors, drained tank and removed filter at bottom. It was black but not clogged greasy or crusty. Bottom of tank has some surface rust but no gunk or rusty scales. I’m not sure if I need to take tank out and clean. What do you think ?
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  #2  
Old 08-23-2025, 09:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosenfe View Post
Recently I bought a 80 300td that had been sitting for a few years. It ran well. The clear filter was black, so I changed it and main filter. Then it began acting fuel starved. I couldn’t fill plastic filter pumping at loft pump. I’ve rebuilt lift pump, new primer, sent out injectors, drained tank and removed filter at bottom. It was black but not clogged greasy or crusty. Bottom of tank has some surface rust but no gunk or rusty scales. I’m not sure if I need to take tank out and clean. What do you think ?
Pulling the tank to clean it or not is your choice.

Personally, I would give StarTron for diesels a try. It has enzymes in it that eat up and reduce that gunk in the tank to particles small enough to pass through filters.

You are going to need to use some sort of treament because the fuel lines from the tank flowered are also 'infected.'

It is entirely possible there is gunk build up in the fuel lines that is partially restricting the lines.

After you get the startron in the tank you are going to need to circulate it through the fuel lines.

Also look up the fuel pressure relief/overflow valve. As they get old the springs compress and at low rpms they don't regulate the fuel supply pressure well.
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  #3  
Old 08-23-2025, 10:24 PM
Rosenfe
 
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Ok, how to circulate the Stratton?
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  #4  
Old 08-23-2025, 10:32 PM
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From the description, IMO the tank doesn't need to be removed.
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Old 08-24-2025, 08:03 AM
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I'm in agreement with above. Sounds like tank is ok.
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  #6  
Old 08-24-2025, 10:37 AM
Rosenfe
 
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Location: fairfax,ca.
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Ok I won’t have to remove it. I have the drained diesel in 5 gallon jugs I plan to add Stratton to them and then put back in car. Sound ok, or throw out
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  #7  
Old 08-24-2025, 12:03 PM
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No need to complicate things. Put the startron in your tank and drive.
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  #8  
Old 08-24-2025, 03:30 PM
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How old is the diesel fuel in question?
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  #9  
Old 08-24-2025, 03:54 PM
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I had some that was sitting 15 years...used it with success. I agree removing tank is not needed.
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #10  
Old 08-25-2025, 11:14 AM
Rosenfe
 
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Car had been sitting for 3 years with about a1/4 tank.
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  #11  
Old 08-25-2025, 12:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosenfe View Post
Car had been sitting for 3 years with about a1/4 tank.
If you looked at the tank screen you must have drained the tank already.

Next is when you change the hand primer you will be circulating the fuel when you use it.

If the car runs safely as was said just drive it. Very little of the fuel that goes into the fuel injection pump goes into the engine. Thel bulk of the fuel goes through the housing cooling the pump and back to the fuel tank.
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