W116 fuel tanks

[Oversize]

Are they all the same, or were there early and late versions? Did the 6.9 ones have a larger capacity??

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Mark everything i have ever read states they are all the same at 96 litres . Geoff

 

[WGB]

The Diesels had an 80 litre tank but all petrols were 96 litres.

Apparently in the US there was also a dealer supplied auxillary tank for the diesels because at the time Diesel was uncommon in cars and hard to find so some owners wanted an extended range.

I don't know what the size of that tank was though.

Bill

 

[Lukas]

The 96L tank fits quite snugly between the rear seat and boot - I doubt you (MB) could fit a larger one in without modifying one of these.

 

[Oversize]

A common problem seems to be a blocked tank screen, due to rust and sediment. Predictable on a 30+YO steel fuel tank. It can cause the pump to operate intermittently, or fail completely. And it can cause a rough idle, flat spots, or complete engine shutdown. So what's the best method to clean out a tank safely, dry it thoroughly and then seal it to prevent future rust??? Any recommended shops that could undertake this work in Melbourne?

And while I'm at it, what's the theory behind the 'reserve tank', where is it and how does it work???

 

[BenzBoy]

Resreve tanks were already a thing of the past by the time of the W116. Reserve simply means the last few litres in contrast to the past when it meant switching over to another tank.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Tony66_au]

A common problem seems to be a blocked tank screen, due to rust and sediment. Predictable on a 30+YO steel fuel tank. It can cause the pump to operate intermittently, or fail completely. And it can cause a rough idle, flat spots, or complete engine shutdown. So what's the best method to clean out a tank safely, dry it thoroughly and then seal it to prevent future rust??? Any recommended shops that could undertake this work in Melbourne?

And while I'm at it, what's the theory behind the 'reserve tank', where is it and how does it work???

2 links for you mate, I used the American product years ago on Jag and Mini fuel tanks with nice results.

http://por15.com.au/

http://www.por15.com/FUEL-TANK-REPAIR-KIT/productinfo/FTRK/

 

[WGB]

And while I'm at it, what's the theory behind the 'reserve tank', where is it and how does it work???

AFAIK there was a dealer fitted reserve tank in the US specifically to increase the range of the Diesel with it's 80 litre tank.

There is a thread on the W116.org site which discussed this and there was also a photo or two as well.

Apparently in the Seventies Diesel pumps were few and far between so a local option was to fit what would be better called a secondary or auxillary fuel tank - this was a dealer fitted option and not a factory option afaik but my knowledge is second hand and distant.

Bill

 

[Oversize]

Here I am partly answering my own question 12 years later!! Stamped differently, but they appear identical. Could the differences be internal?? If so, what?