I have too much tied up in my Diesels and I am scared stiff of losing another Diesel Fuel Pump. I would rather buy Diesel at a $1.70 and 30 mpg then 89 Octane at 20 mpg and $2.05.
Does anyone have any recommendations for prolonging pump life? I know one person has mentioned pouring a qt of oil into each tank.

I haven't ever had a problem with fuel pumps.
I live in CA where fuel is supposed to be lower in sulphur content also. I do however use RedLine diesel catalyst religiously, one third to one half bottle at each fill up and I buy it by the case. Maybe that is helping, it can't hurt.
I wouldn't use oil in the fuel tank though. I had a two stroke SAAB back in the 70's that needed special oil for lubrication. A putt-putt car and it smoked big corkscrews out the tailpipe too, maybe that's why I drive diesels now, I need the stuff to keep tailgaters offa my tail!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Add biodiesel. It improves cetane, and provides excellent lubrication. Even in quanities of 5% it is effective, but more popular is 20% (B20). I've run B100 at times, but that is hard on rubber fuel lines, and can plug filters.

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'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

Biodiesel, Can I dump 2 gals of Mazola corn oil in the tank and get the benefits of a biodiesel cleaning of the injectors? Not practical to do this all the time, but if it helps I'd like to give it a shot.

Off topic, but you gotta love those 2 stroke Saabs!

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

If you see a deal on a two-stroke Sonnett, drop me a line.

My understanding is that the injection pumps on the MB diesels often outlast the rest of the car and are available as spares.

I have seen mention of a stanadyne additive for use in Ford pickups.

Some people say the winter blend diesel (Kerosene?) provides less lubrication than regular diesel, don't know.

The Standyne is used in the Ford trucks..... before the Powerstroke, because there is plastic part in the pump that gets brittle/wears out and breaks every 100k miles or so.... the additive seems to help from what I've gathered.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

Few words of advice since I have owned and have invested in quite a few diesel vehicles in my lifetime and still continue to do so.

Since I moved back to India, the quality of diesel fuel varies heavily from one place to another, tanks are rarely cleaned and the quality of diesel coming from the refineries itself is nothing to talk about.

Here is what I do.

Always install a in-line sedimenter, change diesel filters at less than reccomended intervals, use diesel additives like Dr.Diesel, Techron,Regane etc. regularly and you will have long life with your pump.

Hello Carrameow
It is very possible the PO caused the failure.
Basically bad storage or abuse; parking outside for months without starting or driving, can under the wrong conditions form condensation in the fuel tank.
A very small amount of water in the injection pump will junk one quick.
Old heavy trucks had water separators on the fuel line, and smart private owners would crack each fuel tank petcock into a glass, checking for condensation.
If you are terribly concerned; dump a pint of power steering fluid in with each full tank, no red dye, no detergent and the pump loves the lubrication.
Drive it and enjoy it.

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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
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W Hunter,

Does it matter , Dino or Mobil1 a.t.f.????????

power steering fluid? i found a case of dextron iii sitting around. can i use that in the fuel tank? so for my 240, how much do i put in per tankfull?

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Jennifer
90 350sdl

I switched to a quart of power steering fluid every tank, because it has no color dye added.
Farm fuel is red = no road tax = BIG ticket = in the $1,000.00 + range, if caught.

That said; I was adding a quart of Dexron/Mercon per tank.
A pint will do the job and reduce cost.

The engine seems to run best when I add a gallon of pure fresh canola oil and a quart of power steering fluid every fourth tank.
Add the canola oil at the fuel pump and watch the funny people flip, then educate them. LOL
Even with Detroit traffic jams forced idling for an hour, it responds better and seems happier.