Petrol pump for 1987 310 van

[Des Kay]

I need to replace the petrol pump that sits on the petrol tank and can't seem to locate a used part.
My question is are there any other Mercedes vehicles that use the same pump? I could then extend my search. The same would apply to my exhaust system which has more patches than a patchwork blanket! (Although I'm not saying I use cloth patches on my exhaust) As an avid cyclist, I only use my vehicle for around 1,000 miles a year. Many thanks for any guidance.

 

[turbopete]

id imagine petrol vans will be few and far between, but also are you SURE its the pump above the tank, as id have thought a van would have a carb fed engine and mechanical fuel pump at this age, as most non fuel injection cars of this era had mechanical pumps. that said, id imagine, depending on engine size and type, it MIGHT be common with carb fed 124's of similar vintage (but I cant be sure if they used the same basic engine) but personally, although you don't use the van a huge amount, id be tempted to buy a NEW fuel pump. after all, if you buy a second hand one, its a gamble as to how much work its done and therefore how much life will it have left.
exhaust will probably be unique to the van and different to the more common diesel engine vans, however there are places where you can have sections custom made to OEM spec OR a spec of your needs (for performance, should you feel the need, but on a van its unlikely) there are also pattern exhausts, exhaust sections which clamp together and you can make your own (look at places like ebay) although for limited use, id be tempted to patch up the exhaust until its beyond help, if possible (but then I'm tight and lets face it, the only person that will ever see it is the MOT tester or whoever does the servicing!)

 

[Des Kay]

This is my first ever plunge into the world of forums and I'm already filled with wonder and excitement. Thanks Turbopete for such a rapid response. I tried ordering a pump from Euro Car Parts (can't supply it) and they reaffirmed what a mechanic friend had said about the pump being on the petrol tank. I have a quote from Mercedes of £98 + vat (ouch!) and reckon it can't be too hard to replace. That's why I thought I'd ask about equivalents - reasonably easily replaceable if it doesn't last. Is the "carb fed 124" a Mercedes model? Do you think anyone would know for sure if it was compatible. There must be someone with the knowledge about these old petrol vans...
Thanks also, for all the advice on the exhaust system. Sitting idle for weeks causes the silencers to be eaten away. I've strapped on some sheets of stainless that is doing the trick, and I'll follow your advice to just keep patching. Besides a new system from Merc would probably cost twice as much as I paid for the vehicle. ( Which, incidentally I have nurtured for around ten years.)

 

[Frosty149]

How about some pictures please, sounds like a rare beast?

 

[turbopete]

This is my first ever plunge into the world of forums and I'm already filled with wonder and excitement. Thanks Turbopete for such a rapid response. I tried ordering a pump from Euro Car Parts (can't supply it) and they reaffirmed what a mechanic friend had said about the pump being on the petrol tank. I have a quote from Mercedes of £98 + vat (ouch!) and reckon it can't be too hard to replace. That's why I thought I'd ask about equivalents - reasonably easily replaceable if it doesn't last. Is the "carb fed 124" a Mercedes model? Do you think anyone would know for sure if it was compatible. There must be someone with the knowledge about these old petrol vans...
Thanks also, for all the advice on the exhaust system. Sitting idle for weeks causes the silencers to be eaten away. I've strapped on some sheets of stainless that is doing the trick, and I'll follow your advice to just keep patching. Besides a new system from Merc would probably cost twice as much as I paid for the vehicle. ( Which, incidentally I have nurtured for around ten years.)

apologies, as we do get used to using chassis codes here. the 124 is the Mercedes E class that would be around from the mid 80s to the mid 90s, similar to the one in the photo below. Fuel injection was common on these but there were quite a few early ones that still had carbs, as did the smaller 190e. whether or not they shared a pump, I couldn't say.



there may also be places that offer aftermarket replacements that fit in place of the originals, or if its separate from the tank, but located above it, there may be other cars that may offer adequate flow rate etc that could be adapted to fit the van wiring and pipework.

 

[Des Kay]

How about some pictures please, sounds like a rare beast?

Hi Frosty,
What pictures would you like? Front? Side? Engine?
I confess the bodywork is a bit rough and has a bit of improvised patching ie. a bit of aluminium tape here and there etc.
Has a brilliant under seal though!
I am a little ashamed of its appearance....

 

[Frosty149]

Some to give a feel of the vehicle - don’t be bashful, it’s work in progress!

 

[Des Kay]

apologies, as we do get used to using chassis codes here. the 124 is the Mercedes E class that would be around from the mid 80s to the mid 90s, similar to the one in the photo below. Fuel injection was common on these but there were quite a few early ones that still had carbs, as did the smaller 190e. whether or not they shared a pump, I couldn't say.

View attachment 40085

there may also be places that offer aftermarket replacements that fit in place of the originals, or if its separate from the tank, but located above it, there may be other cars that may offer adequate flow rate etc that could be adapted to fit the van wiring and pipework.

Thanks for your continual assistance Turbopete. I've been back in touch with Merc's commercial parts division in Brentford who confirmed your suspicions that the pump is on the engine.
Not getting very far with checking to find a compatible pump from one of their cars so looks like £100 it will be - unless one of the forum colleagues comes up with an alternative. No leads on a workshop manual either.

 

[Des Kay]

Hello Fellow Mercs.
I discovered that I had a split in the petrol feed, so no pump was needed.
However I'm desperate for the first silencer off the manifold which has two pipes that go in and one out.
It's now obsolete.
Any suggestions?

 

[LostKiwi]

If you talk to your local powerflow stockist they can make up a custom section (or whole system) in stainless for not too much money.
Just had my 129 exhaust done by ARO exhausts nr Aylesbury and it was very reasonable.