Fuel Tank Capacity

[Markbhai]

I am trying to identify the capacity of the fuel tamk on my 1967 230 SL.  It left the production line in October 1966.

I thought I had read that it was either 60l or 80l, however I dont seem to be putting close to this in.  I am running the car until the gague is saying 1/4 full and only getting 30l into the tank. 

Regards

[66andBlue]

230SL: 65 liter (includes Reserve, I believe). Perhaps your gauge is acting up.
Try to run down the tank until the warning light comes on and then fill it up. How much will it take?

[WRe]

Hi,
see Technical Manual here: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Fuel/Tank; 65l and 82l, early or late model, standing or laying spare wheel.
I wouldn't trust the fuel gauge, you have to test it  but think of rust when you empty it.
...WRe

[jameshoward]

Mark,

Slow filling is a common issue. Once the pump clicks, I think you'll find you can easily get another 12 or so litres into the tank. Air gets trapped and the tank fills very slowly. Try it; you'll see what I mean.

If I really want to fill up, I rock the car a little as I put the fuel in. It seems to help.

JH

[AGT]

Mark

Unless you are confident that the floor of your tank is good, I would be really careful running it below a quarter.  When I took my car down to France from Edinburgh I picked up some gunk in the filter just short of Hull (@220 miles and just under the quarter mark) and from there to Lyon was a bit of a nightmare with the car cutting out periodically. It then cleared through and has driven normally since.

I have a '66 230SL which I thought had a 60 litre tank. I reckon on between 180 and 200 miles from a full tank down to a quarter but still don't often go that low.

Pleased to see the weather picking up for the weekend. Assuming the Pagoda gets through its CT on Friday, a drive West along the sea front sounds perfect for Saturday. Its the Film Festival in Cannes - not my thing!

Regards
Andrew

1966 230SL
1989 420SL

[Markbhai]

Thanks Gents.

Clearly eitheer my fuel gague is iffy or I an trusting the modern pump to knock off when full.

If it is the fuel gague it sounds like testing that out whilst 1,000 miles away from home would be foolish, so I think I will go with filling her up as much as possible and see if I get a better range.

I am getting a range of about 220 miles to the 1/4 fill point, which isn't too bad.  I am guessing it is around 22 mpg, but I dont have the figures with me at the moment as they are all in the car.

Regards

Mark.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

This from the technical manual .....

Fuel tank/Reserve 230 SL 65/9 Liter Fuel tank/Reserve 250SL/280SL 82/11 Liter (Tabellenbuch PKW)

However, to be sure you should as recommended above run your car to the low fuel red light comes on then tank and see.

[66andBlue]

... If it is the fuel gague it sounds like testing that out whilst 1,000 miles away from home would be foolish, ..

When I bought the 230SL one of the first things I tested was the warning light function and also to check whether I had any problems with particles entering the fuel lines at low fuel levels. So I took a spare can with me and drove around the city and tested the light a few times until I was sure that I did NOT have a problem. Of course it is too late to do this when you are 1000 miles away from home.