Cleaning diesel tank - fuel starvation?

Question

Hello,Old Mercedes with a 240D engine fitted, seems to have a fuel starvationproblem. It cut out on me the other day so I've changed the filters andgot it going again. Running now but stuttering under load and the rateof fuel getting through seems to vary a lot.I'm a bit ignorant at how diesels work but I wonder is the tank full ofgunk as the car has been sitting unused for the last couple of years andonly started getting use again recently... it's had some fresh fuelsince.So, before I suspect the diesel pump, I think I should check the tankfor rust or gunk. Question is how? Empty the tank and then what...?OK, it could be the pump is knackered, but I don't know how to checkthat. Another thing I've noticed is that after the car's run for awhile, if I remove the fuel cap there's a great whoosh of air...why? Thepump is sucking but not getting fuel???TIA!

Stuffed · Accepted Answer

I know nothing about the car, but the whoosh of air when you take the filler cap off - I take it it's a rush of air *into* the tank?

If so, does the car have a breather on the tank, or breath through the cap? It sounds like as fuel goes out, air's not going in.

Sean · Answer

I suppose the tank has a breather; I don't know. However, the cap doesn't appearto have a breather. It forms a good seal, so the whoosh of air must be going in.

Moray Cuthill · Answer

Sounds like a blocked breather.Try running the car with the fuel cap left off, and see how it goes. If it goes fine, then you'll have to find the breather and clean it out.

Sean · Answer

Sounds like a plan - thanks!I'll see how I get on.

a8359 · Answer

i have a 190E 2.0 manual 1988, that sounds like the fuel pump is struggling and making whining sounds sometimes really loudly.

and when i take the fuel cap off after 1 week of driving i also get a whoosh..

where is the breather located on the 190E 1988 2.0 manual?

thanks k.

edinburgh

Cleaning diesel tank - fuel starvation?

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