Biobor or Soltron in VO? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300DPETE · #1 10-18-2005, 04:39 AM

Hi, everyone.

I recently had a fungus problem in my diesel tank (indicated by coffee granule looking critters in my clear secondary filter).

I treated this with biobor, and subsequently with Soltron a few days later.

I also have a second fuel tank for vegetable oil. Should I treat this with biobor or soltron as well? Will these do any good in VO, or can the fungus grow in the VO in the first place?

Thanks,

Pete.

TurboTony · #2 10-18-2005, 10:24 AM

My friend has a WVO conversion on his work truck, and he picked up some "Bad" oil, and did not catch it in time. His WVO tank is just loaded with growth, and it is well past using a biocide on to contain. Now he has to pull his second (WVO) tank and steam clean it and keep an eye on it. We called around and the local fuel supply company(s) said that a biocide such as biobar should work fine, like it would in diesel... But I am wondering if there is something better for use in WVO...? Also, I am thinking that there was water in his WVO in the first place, which I think is why he got the creeping black algee/fungus crap...? Ideas...
Tony

Austin85 · #3 10-18-2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300DPETE

Hi, everyone.

I recently had a fungus problem in my diesel tank (indicated by coffee granule looking critters in my clear secondary filter).

I treated this with biobor, and subsequently with Soltron a few days later.

I also have a second fuel tank for vegetable oil. Should I treat this with biobor or soltron as well? Will these do any good in VO, or can the fungus grow in the VO in the first place?

Thanks,

Pete.

Yes I spoke with a rep at Valvetech (the stuff I used) and while officially the stuff is tested for Diesel fuel use, he indicated that it will kill fungus in WVO, RUG, or whereever it happens to be located...So use it in WVO tank, and I would continue as a maintence for a while. Keep on changing out filters until they are clear...
Also It's prettty easy to clean the tank screen, and a good idea for yuou to do this.considereing......
(Where's the pics of your Benz????)

sailor15015 · #4 10-18-2005, 11:10 AM

Make sure what's clogging your filter isn't fats that will filter out during the day bug congeal(sp?) at night. I thought for the longest time I had an infestation in my veggie tank. I pulled the tank, bleached it, washed it repeatadly, flushed the lines, and promptly had a return of what I thought was fungus clogging my filters on the next tank full. Improving my prefiltering methods cleared it up.

Austin85 · #5 10-18-2005, 11:38 AM

ditto....

300DPETE · #6 10-18-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin85

Yes I spoke with a rep at Valvetech (the stuff I used) and while officially the stuff is tested for Diesel fuel use, he indicated that it will kill fungus in WVO, RUG, or whereever it happens to be located...So use it in WVO tank, and I would continue as a maintence for a while. Keep on changing out filters until they are clear...
Also It's prettty easy to clean the tank screen, and a good idea for yuou to do this.considereing......
(Where's the pics of your Benz????)

Thanks. I asume Valvetech is similar to Biobor?

Here's some pics of the car (not bad for original 24-year old paint

):

Profile
http://www.frybrid.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=316

Engine Bay:
http://www.frybrid.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=92

Front:
http://www.frybrid.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=317

Is there a place on the this forum where we're supposed to post pics of our car? The links above go to a separate forum.

Pete.

300DPETE · #7 10-18-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor15015

Make sure what's clogging your filter isn't fats that will filter out during the day bug congeal(sp?) at night. I thought for the longest time I had an infestation in my veggie tank. I pulled the tank, bleached it, washed it repeatadly, flushed the lines, and promptly had a return of what I thought was fungus clogging my filters on the next tank full. Improving my prefiltering methods cleared it up.

I've only used SVO so far, as I haven't set up a filtration system yet....allthough I did drive up from Tampa to D.C. on 39 gallons of soy wvo for my initial testing of the system back in early July.

Anyways, I don't think that that's happening. Besides, I got the tell-tale "coffee granule" looking stuff. That I think is more indicative of fungus than it is of congealed fat.

I don't drive it much at all during the week (I take the Metro train to work), so I definitely need to pay attention to the fuel and keep it treated (I wasn't doing this before I saw the coffee-type stuff).

Pete.

300DPETE · #8 10-18-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin85

Also It's prettty easy to clean the tank screen, and a good idea for yuou to do this.considereing......
(Where's the pics of your Benz????)

How do you do this? Where's it located? Anybody got some pictures they can post as to the location?

Do I have to drain the tank as I've heard, or can I "switch it out quickly" with a pale to catch the diesel?

Austin85 · #9 10-18-2005, 04:16 PM

Run down tank to under 5 gallons the less the better.
Jack up rear passenger side high enough to fit your bucket under tank and able to slide in & out.
Secure with jack stand.
The plug is under tank on the r pass. side.
there is a fuel hose connected to the large 42mm bolt;
with bucket under hose un do hose; aim in bucket; reach up and open gas/ cap; this will drain tank quicker...
2 bolts to remove 2nd one is big one 42mm if I recall....mine came loose when I loosened the smaller one...
the screen filter is on the other side of that bolt.
remove; clean; (I used acetone...) reverse steps....

BTW Your D looks great...

Jmana · #10 10-18-2005, 11:22 PM

It sounds to me that what you are seeing is the old rubber from inside your fuel lines being dislodged by the veg oil. You might want to try replacing your rubber sections of fuel line.

pmari · #11 10-18-2005, 11:31 PM

DINGDINGDING... I think we have a winner!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmana

It sounds to me that what you are seeing is the old rubber from inside your fuel lines being dislodged by the veg oil. You might want to try replacing your rubber sections of fuel line.

You gotta have water to have critters. And run some tank cleaner through it too.

300DPETE · #12 10-19-2005, 04:34 AM

Hadn't thought of that (rubber).

I did have some water in the VO, as I left it 1/4 full for a month, and condensation built up.

I thought biodiesel was the culprit when it came to rubber degredation....VO can do the same?

When you say tank cleaner, do you mean Biobor, etc.?

Thanks,

Pete.

pmari · #13 10-19-2005, 10:23 AM

15,000mi maintainence at the stealer used to include changing the injector return lines and the cigar hose (aside from valve adjustments). I have found chunks of rubber in my primary and the cigar hose would bubble when you squeezed it. You should inspect all the rubber from the engine to the fuel tank.

Tanks cleaners are solvents you put in the tank and burn through. Pick a brand you like. Here's my favorite.