I've been having problems going up hills for a while. Talked to a MB specialist today, and he said it's probably the tank strainer. He said I'd probably be ok to just take the strainer out and change it, wouldn't have to remove the tank and clean it "unless you saw chunks of stuff coming out" when you remove the strainer. But he said chances are, just cleaning the strainer will do the trick.

Quesions:

1) What do I clean the strainer with? I want to order a new one and have it on hand "just in case".
2) What size O-ring does the strainer use, if I reuse the original strainer? I'll replace the o-ring.
3) There's a rubber hose that gets attached to that, and it's (cough) $58 on ebay!! That must mean a 'real one' costs $75. Do I need a new hose?
4) If I decide to clean the tank, what do I clean it with? Just a water hose, then let it dry completely? The mechanic said water in the tank is what causes algae to begin with.

1991 300d 185k

Although this DIY is for the W123 there's information about treating algae in the wiki

PeachPartsWiki: 240D Fuel Tank Removal and Cleaning

Expensive rubber hoses can often be custom made for less at an agricultural workshop - where they make hydraulic hoses / fuel hoses

For now I'd say to remove expensive pipe and examine before condemning

As for the fuel strainer you could probably clean it with brake cleaner and then let it dry

I can't help with the O ring information - but it is best to replace them - there's nothing more irritating than getting leaks after you've decided to risk it.

On the W123 diesels one trick to test for a blocked fuel strainer is to reverse the incoming and out going fuel lines at the engine end of the system. With more than a 1/4 full tank you should be fine and can see if that is indeed the problem or not.

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I am not sure your problem is caused by clogged strainer. You would feel the car very sluggish at speed on freeway but OK at idle if the strainer is clogged. Add more diesel would alleviate the problem as it has more 'head'. Also you would see a lot of air bubbles at the primary filter. The lift pump would suck air from somewhere when it is starved of fuel. This is the experience I had with a OM603.

In any event, if you want to clean the strainer, this is what I did.

1) remove tank outlet hose and drain tank over night. If not you may find diesel all over you.
2) Remove the tank hose. You probably can reuse it as your car is only 1991. If not, cut open the hose clamp and replace the hose with a 3/8 ID fuel hose. It is easily done and save you ton of money.
3) Use a 46mm socket to remove the stainer. I always resue mine as there is nothing wrong with it except really dirty. I use engine or brake cleaner to clean it. Wash it with water and then blow dry with compress air. It is like new again.
4) Replace the o-ring. I bought a box of o-ring from HF for $7 and there are plenty in there to do all odd jobs.

Good luck.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

You might wonder how to drain the tank. What I do is to place a pan under the tank. I use a vice grip to clamp the rubber hose, then remove the end that connects to the steel line. Open the vice grip, fill the pan. Vice grip on, drain the pan into a fuel container. Repeat as necessary.

If the strainer is blocked with algae, the tank could take forever to drain and may not drain completely so when you take the strainer out you may get a shower of diesel.

Some tips:
Run the tank down below reserve (2 gallons).

Using vise grips to pinch the hose, make a long clear hose extension to the tank strainer rubber hose into a 5 gallon container. I used an empty 5 gal veg oil container so I could see the fuel at all times.

Jack car to tilt the tank so the strainer is at the lowest point.

Open vise grip to let it flow.

Make an extension with a tooth brush and go it from the fuel sender to clear the gunk from the strainer as it drains. Keep brushing till no more fuel comes out.

Jack the car so the strainer is higher than the bottom of tank before taking the strainer out.

Doing it this way, I cleaned my strainer without spilling one drop.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

1. Run the tank to reserve
2. Back up on ramps to elevate the rear end
3. Get a long hose attach to return line and place in container of appropiate size
4. Start vehicle and wait
5. Vehicle will stop when it runs out of fuel
6. There will always be some fuel left have container to catch it
7. remove lines and stainer
8. Clean strainer and reassemble
9. pour fuel back in strain it if nessary

__________________
Moss Gate Bed & Breakfast
1985 300 TD GG done in by a red light runner
1984 300 CD Sold
2008 Titian
2000 Cadillac SLS
1966 FLH Sold
2003 Harley Ultra

I use one of these pans that Home depot sell to catch drips, spills etc... works good when draining the Coolant too.
Search Results for*plastic mixing pan*at The Home Depot


I used a pair of 6" needle nose VG on the Fuel line like Funola and Mxfrank mentioned. I used a 2 1/2 gal container with a funnel to direct the fuel into. when it is full clamp the VC and continue on to the next container.

When I did our 80 240D it was a piece of cake. when I did my BIL 82 240, that was shower time. even with the right side raised higher, and the catch pan under it, I still had a bit of fuel come out as the Screen was 3/4 plugged. Lesson learned on that one.

Tooth brush is a good tip. maybe blowing air back through the line would help too.

Cut the crimp as AH-Kay mentioned, but the hose I believe in 5/16".
Don`t buy a new crimped hose.
Dealer retail is only $19.50 retail and $15.60 wholesale. Forget E-bay, they gouge you big time. scam artists.

I also would replace the "O" ring on the Screen, PN 110-997-01-45
The HF assortment might be good, don`t know if they have that large of "O" Ring.

The screen can be cleaned off with some brake Clean or in a pan of gas and a brush. I also scrubbed it with an old Tooth brush and soap. dry it before installing.


Hosing the tank out with a water, then you have the problem of drying it, and water might now cut the petroleum residue.

I was replacing the 240 17 gal tank with a 21 gal tank from a 300D. It has some type of gunk in it and I used Lacquer Thinner to clean it. sloshed it around rinsed and repeated. came out squeaky clean. You may not want to R&R a tank.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Don't take fuel showers folks - remove as much as you can from the filler with a siphon pump before pulling off fuel lines at the tank.

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!