Gotta love algea... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 10-31-2005, 05:26 PM

Well since I started driving the 300SD I must have stirred the tank up, now I have a wicked algea problem.

The car has been sitting a lot for the last few years without a full tank. So water condensed and gave the algea a good home to grow. Now I come along and start driving it, and throw a little Biobor in the tank, then it all dies. I went through a set of fuel filters in a week.

The clear filter isn't clear the fuel is light tanish with a big black thing in the center. (the screen)

Now compared to the clear filter in my SDL that has been on since March, it is a nice amber color and has two little specs in it.

So anyone ever deal with this problem before? I realy realy don't want to drain the tank. I think I will just keep running it and changing the fuel filters, it has to clear out sooner or later. I am adding a healthy amount of Biobor and Power Service with each tank so that should clear it out.

t walgamuth · #2 10-31-2005, 05:43 PM

just keep cleaning for three or four tanks and keep an eye on the filters.

tom w

300DPETE · #3 10-31-2005, 05:52 PM

It's fungus, not an algae (algae can't grow in the absence of light, they live on nutrients and photosynthesis).

Pete.

RAYMOND485 · #4 10-31-2005, 06:34 PM

1984 300d Turbo 135k
Replace The Fuel Tank And Keep The New One Full Of Fuel. The Mercedes Dealer Try To Have It Clean, They Replace It

Brian Carlton · #5 10-31-2005, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAYMOND485

They Replace It

............yep...........take the most costly route........sounds just like a dealer.

edited: hmmm.......seems like these smiles have a problem since the software change.......hmmm

andmoon · #6 10-31-2005, 07:07 PM

I looped the fuel supply and return line with a drill driven pump in line. Another sucker pump into the fuel fill. Tank was just below 3/4 full. I added 2 gallons of rug (not sure why but I thought the rug would kill some of the algae and dilute/clean other parts). While agitating w/ the drill pump (flow reversed towards fill) I sucked out what was in the tank. I then placed 6 or 7 inline cheapie fuel filters and discarded them as they clogged. Never got down to the last one. I filtered the dirty diesel/rug mix thru a 2 micron sock filter and used it w/ some algeacide and veggie oil. The car was running great until the wreck.

#7 10-31-2005, 09:19 PM

You going to have to pull the screen out hattie?

kip Foss · #8 10-31-2005, 09:36 PM

Drop the tank and clean it properly. It is really not a big deal. It also gives you a chance to replace the hoses connecting the tank to the fuel lines and clean/ repalce the fuel strainer. I had mine out of my 115/300d, cleaned, the water mopped out, the tank dried and back in in about 2hrs.

Clean the tank with liquid dish soap. Rinse it and then slosh around about a pint of bleach. Drain the tank and mop up the remaining water using a 1/4 in. dowel with a rag securely tied to the end. Let the tank sit in the sun while you have a coffee and replace the hoses. Reinstall the tank and Bobs your uncle as they say in the classics.

#9 10-31-2005, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300DPETE

It's fungus, not an algae (algae can't grow in the absence of light, they live on nutrients and photosynthesis).

Pete.

It or they are actually Bacteria that consume Hydrocarbons and emit Water ... Developed by the Petroleum industry many years ago .

t walgamuth · #10 10-31-2005, 10:09 PM

right wing conspiracy? this is a joke.

tom w

Teemeister · #11 10-31-2005, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col.Klink

It or they are actually Bacteria that consume Hydrocarbons and emit Water ... Developed by the Petroleum industry many years ago .

hydrocarbon degrading bacteria do exist and they can be used for a process called bioremediation.

whunter · #12 11-01-2005, 12:36 AM

like these http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/115952-filters-fungus-biocide-etc-post823378.html#post823378

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/105304-biobor-what-why-do-i-need.html#post723857

SHARK1007 · #13 11-01-2005, 07:15 AM

There are marine services that come and recirculate fuel thru paper filters under a little pressure until clean, we use 'em all the time, maybe one of those types could help.

ykobayashi · #14 11-01-2005, 11:02 AM

Hi,

I had some of this light tan stuff too especially after I ran some diesel clean through the tank which contains biocide. It coated the see through screen filter and filled the spin on.

I may have introduced the "strain" using WVO. The way my looped return works, when I switch back to diesel, any WVO in my IP and return line downstream of the switch valve gets returned back to the diesel tank. That stuff could contain nasties since I get it out of a dumpster - water, bacteria etc. I never had any problems till I started running WVO.

I was curious what the stuff was...I originally thought it could be rust but it wasn't red enough, more like yellow orange.

I pulled my sender and it was totally covered under the tube with a black greasey material almost like black instant pudding. Amazing what spraying that stuff off did for my gauge.

cheers
Yoko

Hatterasguy · #15 11-01-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon314159

You going to have to pull the screen out hattie?

Not if I can avoid it. This car is a pos rusted out monster blow-by beater. I am not fixing anything unless it won't go anymore.

Pulling and cleaning the tank may be the proper way to do it but for the next 3-4 tank fills I am going to try the biobor route and see if that won't clear it up.

What I may do is run as low as I can and pull the strainer and drain whatever is left out. Then I could clean the strainer and start with 20 fresh gallons of fuel.