Probably a stupid question.

[simon_wall69]

Probably a daft question but is there any way to clean or change the fuel strainer without draining the fuel tank?

I only ask as the tank is currently full and I can only do work on the street. If not, is there any easy way to drain the tank that doesn't take ages (i.e. siphoning) only using axle stands and basic tools?

 

[television]

Not easy,, I would wait till its almost empty, then when you jack the offside of the car to change the filter nothing much can come out.

Do watch the position of the arrow on the filter

 

[simon_wall69]

Unfortunately not an option, as there's not enough fuel coming through the lines to let the engine idle.

Could I swap the fuel lines over to bypass the strainer? Or would this just mean the fuel lines start getting blocked?

At the minute, I have to keep blowing down the fuel lines to clear what I assume is the strainer that is blocked. Then, five minutes later it all becomes clogged up again.

 

[television]

Unfortunately not an option, as there's not enough fuel coming through the lines to let the engine idle.

Could I swap the fuel lines over to bypass the strainer? Or would this just mean the fuel lines start getting blocked?

At the minute, I have to keep blowing down the fuel lines to clear what I assume is the strainer that is blocked. Then, five minutes later it all becomes clogged up again.

What car is it that you are doing it on.

 

[simon_wall69]

w123 300d auto

 

[television]

With the fuel cap off it would not take too long to drain if you undo the first pipe union from the tank,, its a lousy job anyway as it all runs down your arm, and you should not get too much diesel on your skin as it absorbs it.

I do not think that you have any choice other than to drain it, and at least you could flush any rubbish out of the tank.

You can strain the fuel through a fine stocking before you put it back

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...+++717.400&CT=F&cat=222&SID=47&SGR=015&SGN=01

 

[Juddian]

Depends how good you are at not drinking the stuff when trying to syphon, diesel isn't the best stuff to swallow, so if you have a Screwfix nearby they sell a neat little syphon/primer device for about a tenner that will fit standard garden hose, use the primer to fill the pipe and then drain all into a couple of clean 5 gallon drums.
If not, get some clear pipe 1/2 inch bore, you'll need about 6/8ft length, with clear you can see the fuel coming and won't get a mouthfull.

MB's of that era are usually simplicity itself to syphon, should only need about 2 ft of hose in the filler to reach the bottom of the tank, if you blow down the pipe gently you will be able feel/hear the heavier bubbling as you reach the bottom of the tank.
Obviously the higher you get the back end the easier to drain.

When you have cleaned out the tank, put a stocking/similar in the funnel to filter out the nasties as you refill.

If you have trouble pouring the fuel back in, stand the drum on the roof edge of the car and syphon the fuel back in.

Good luck with it, a bit of practice and its not too messy.

 

[Juddian]

Seams you were a stocking man too Malcolm.....

 

[television]

Seams you were a stocking man too Malcolm.....

Dont tell anyone

 

[simon_wall69]

It's just that siphoning takes ages. It's probably worth getting a little pump and I'll just pump the fuel from one car to the other. I'm not too worried about swallowing anyway as it is veg oil in there.

 

[television]

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W123FuelTank

 

[popuptoaster]

I use an electric fuel pump with rubber hoses on it with a lead and cigarette lighter plug on the end, it'll empty a full tank in about 5 mins, make sure its wired safely though, sparks and fuel do not mix well.