My 85 300D was found sitting in a field.I will rebuild it this spring and summer but I want to solve the bugs first.
It has very bad low end acceleration, but great full power acceleration. Believe it or not (it may be my imagination) part of the low end severe sluggishness went way when I stuck on the missing Exhaust system,someone had cut off the old one 1/2 way down the header.(I also replace both fuel filters)
Before I start breaking down the Fuel System, someone suggested checkingthe Tank Filter. Apparently it gets clogged with algae at times.
Is this true?Does the Tank Filter get clogged (235K) Is it worthwile draining the tank and removing to clean it?

Absolutely it is worth it. I'm not too familiar with diesels, but I know Algea can be a problem, and a clogged fuel filter isn't going to help performance at all. You might also try posting below on the diesel forum.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

FWIW, My brother's 240D was purchased from a lady who let the car sit for a couple of years. The car had acceleration problems from day one. After many fuel filter changes, we took out the tank screen and found it to be 50% covered in a black tar like substance. The procedure is pretty simple. Make sure you run the tank really low, I remember it took almost two five gallon buckets to hold what was left in the "empty" fuel tank.

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2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
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'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

It is definitely worthwhile to clean the fuel filter in the tank. It isn't difficult either; it is just a little messy...

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)