Went to Fleetpride today and they had this big bottle of "Killem" for $18. I don't need a big bottle like that. I'm wondering if I drain the tank and stick a UV lamp in there, will it kill the Algae?

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

In theory if strong enough the UV should kill the algae but given the irregular shape of the tank you probably won't get all of it and it will just come back.

__________________
LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

bottle!

you will use it all eventually.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

It's fungus isn't it?

And if you're taking it out of the car, you might as well take it to the power washer. And swish some acetone around inside to get all the wax buildup that might be in there too.

Buy it and bring the leftover to me next time you stop by.

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'99 S420, 155k
'91 VW Vanagon GL, 150k
'85 VW Vanagon GL, 120k
'82 VW Westy, aircooled, 165k

funola,

You are complaining about $18? I bought a quart of Biobor and it was almost $80. About half was shipping because its considered a hazardous substance.

I looked all over and couldn't find a fungicide except mail order from the distributor. Of course after I bought it I found some at my local New Holland Tractor dealer.

Yes, its fungus not algae. Algae won't grow in the dark and its green. You have to use a fungacide to get kill all the fungus in your fuel system. It will regrow from the fungus in the fuel lines, filters, IP, ETC you didn't get b y just cleaning the fuel tank.

P E H

The black crud that grows in your diesel tank can actually be several things including fungi AND bacteria. Algae generally need light as PEH said above (although there are exceptions). I think algae was originally used to describe this stuff because someone thought people could understand and accept algae growing in their tanks and adding something to kill that, but would freak out if they learned fungi and bacteria were growing in their diesel tanks. Anyway, my feeling is stop bashing people who say "algae". We know what they mean and it doesn't really change they way they have to treat their tank...
Fungi is better, but still not really correct as there are bacteria as well. If you want to call them microbes or hydrocarbon degrading microbes you would be correct, but I will get to call you a nerd .


to funola...buy the killem or something like it. UV light is not going to do it for you. Not only is your UV source unlikely to be powerful enough and unlikely to get the entire inside of your tank, if you have any sort of biofilm only the top layer would get killed. Plus there are all those other places like inside your fuel guage and the fuel lines that the UV will not get but a liquid treatment (hopefully) will.

__________________
'84 300D Turbo Diesel
San Jose, CA

all!

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

'Get in the compressionmobile and drive to West marine/Boat U.S. and get an
8 ounce container of Starbrite(manufacturer) Startron(Product) Enzyme Diesel
Fuel System Treatment [less than $11.00] .Pour the required amount in the
tank,fill the tank and go on about your life.( 1 oz. treats 16 gals.)
The neat thing about an enzyme is it's ability to solve the problem without
5 sets of fuel filters.

Use startron. Its an enzyme killer and will kill and disolve the microbes in the tank. A biocide will just kill then and they can clogg up your tank and filters.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

It refreshing to hear that people are catching on to StarTron diesel additive.

Hu Rah.

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

For what it does, it works like nothing else.

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

the brand of what i have used but it did disolve the fungi too.

so does that mean it is an enzyme type?

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

So, if I use Startron, my filter won't clog? How does it work? What does it do to the black fungi sludge in the tank?

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked