26 gal. auxillary tank from the time of the 70s oil embargo - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

veg_burner · #16 01-11-2006, 02:41 AM

a friend i talked to said another option would be heavier-duty euro rear springs. anyone know a part # for such things?

sailor15015 · #17 01-11-2006, 02:55 AM

If you're debating changing your rear springs read this thread. By the way please don't think I'm trying to shoot down your ideas. I can see you're an experienced oil burner. Just throwing in my $0.02.

#18 01-11-2006, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch H

Then why does it seem like the 116 and 126 300SD get the same mpg as the 123 turbo?

If ya don't believe me, go throw a bunch of crap in the trunk and see what sort of MPG you get. I think most of the extra fuel usage comes from trying to accel the mass off the line at a reasonable rate.

I know when I carried about 100-150lbs of stuff in my trunk my MPG suffered about 2-3mpg.

t walgamuth · #19 01-11-2006, 08:33 AM

i may still have it around. i took it out immediately when i got the car. and yes, the rear end was permanently a little low as a result. the tank sat against the bulkhead, vertically so that your trunk capacity was as unaffected as possible. i was fascinated by it but unable to justify keeping it.

roy has perhaps exaggerated a little about headlights scaring roosting birds.

tom w

whunter · #20 01-11-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Bad idea...
Calculate how much extra weight you would add behind the rear wheels with an additional 26 gallons of diesel.

I should have clarified my statement.

#1. Average case: five people + luggage + both tanks full + vehicle spring age.
Each person @175LBS each X 5 = 875 LBS or more in real life.
Luggage @30LBS each X 5 = 150 LBS
Both fuel tanks full 16 gallon + 26 Gallon = 42 gallons
42 gallons X 7.1 LBS per gallon = roughly 300 LBS

Gross total = 1325 LBS

#2. Median case: five people + luggage + both tanks full + vehicle spring age.
Each person @250LBS each X 5 = 1250 LBS or more in real life.
Luggage @50LBS each X 5 = 250 LBS
Both fuel tanks full 16 gallon + 26 Gallon = 42 gallons
42 gallons X 7.1 LBS per gallon = roughly 300 LBS

Gross total = 1800 LBS

#3. Real Worst case: five people + luggage + both tanks full + roof carrier + vehicle spring age.
Each person @400LBS each X 5 = 2000 LBS or more in real life.
Luggage @50LBS each X 8 = 400 LBS
Both fuel tanks full 16 gallon + 26 Gallon = 42 gallons
42 gallons X 7.1 LBS per gallon = roughly 300 LBS
Roof carrier loaded to capacity = 500 LBS

Gross total = 3200 LBS

I have seen all three cases many times in real life.
In case #2 and #3 the headlights do not point at the road correctly.

dgreenhouse · #21 01-11-2006, 02:42 PM

realistic scenario - 1 driver and no (or one) passengers - always keep your stock tank less than 1/4 full with diesel (only need it for startup/purge anyway).

there are many veg burners with aux tanks and none experience the dramatic sag and slow scenarios being paranoia-ly spouted here.

#22 01-11-2006, 02:59 PM

I don't know about YOU but I can't think of many situations where you can fit 5 250lb people in a w123 body.

Let alone 400lbs a piece. These people don't fit 3 across the back seat....

It would be an uncomfortable squeeze and an unlikely scenario with the car carring full capacity of 5 persons.

If you are worried about headlamps not aiming at the road, readjust them with the load in the car. Its pretty easy

Jay Gibbs · #23 01-11-2006, 03:25 PM

All,

I had an aux tank installed in my 1st 240D...a relative of mine bought the car new in 1979, and the MB dealer actually installed the tank prior to delivery of the new car. I bought the car from her in 1990 with 100k on the odo- tank still installed.

A few facts of living with the car...

1) The tank was mounted on the bulkhead up against the factory tank, and about exactly over the rear wheels. It held 21 additional gallons, and the rear end of the car generally was maybe an inch lower with full fuel (2 tanks totalling 42 gallons) I have driven the car with both tanks filled, and all seats occupied and NEVER once bottomed the suspension...headlights shined A LITTLE higher, but very clearly not "in the trees." Trunk space was probably reduced by about 25 to 30%, but still a good amount of space available for hauling luggage.

2) If it were important to someone, they could install the EURO TAXI SPEC springs and/or the HD Bilsteins to more easily accomodate the added weight, but I personally never felt the need.

3) Acceleration was obviously slow...but hey- it was a 240D...I wasn't going anywhere fast anyhow! What's another second when the 0 to 60 is 21 seconds to begin with?

4) Any difference in fuel mileage due to extra weight was negligible...mileage in that car varied between about 27 and 29 MPG at all times and all weights.

5) Best range on a fillup (both tanks filled) was about 1,100 miles with an estimated 30 mile reserve. Roughly Philadelphia to Palm Beach without stopping for fuel. (for comparison, the best I've gotten on my 1999 E300TD is roughly 785 miles on one tank- 21 gals...talk about increases in efficiency: 174 HP and 38 MPG vs. 62 HP and 29 MPG!!)

5) I still own the aux tank and plumbing for the 240D (NO, it's not for sale!!) but I would be happy to post pictures when I get a chance, and will take measurements and dimensions if anyone cares.

Happy Dieseling!

J.G.

#24 01-11-2006, 03:27 PM

On the turbo models, the extra weight seems to drop off an otherwise really high mpg (we are talking 27-28 down to 25-26)...not unreasonable considering the decent figures unloaded.

bgkast · #25 01-11-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Gibbs

I would be happy to post pictures when I get a chance, and will take measurements and dimensions if anyone cares.

Happy Dieseling!

J.G.

I would be interested in seeing some pictures and measurements. Thanks

whunter · #26 01-11-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

I would be interested in seeing some pictures and measurements. Thanks

Second that request.
Pictures would be nice.

#27 01-11-2006, 03:52 PM

I've got an auxillary tank that hods about 18gallons. Dry weight is 10lbs, wet (diesel) weight is 225lbs. I'll try to post pictures this weekend when I get my internet installed at home.

veg_burner · #28 01-12-2006, 01:53 AM

jay,
great post.
i'd also like to see pics when you get a chance.
how was it mounted exactly? (like what kind of hardware, where was it mounted to)

cmac2012 · #29 01-12-2006, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veg_burner

has anyone had experience installing one of these?
got one for my 300D vegmobile off ebay...

Hey, you veg burnin' foo...

Check out this thread I started way back. Brian Carleton had some good information on getting beefier rear springs. If you ever decide to go that route, let me know because I think we'll have to rent the right coil spring compressor and I believe Brian has one he lends out.

My 126 gets a bit saggy when I've got the trunk filled with tools.

I've actually thought about an extra tank myself so as to haul enough bio-brew wit me. The 12 gallon model sounds like a good un.

t walgamuth · #30 01-12-2006, 10:12 AM

a strong controversy.

i think that if you are routinely carrying around an extra 100 to 200# the reasonalbe thing to do is adjust the headlights a little. mbs deal with loads much much better than most cars.

tom w