PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - FM100 pre-filter upgrade: easy install, adds water seperation, inexpensive...

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- - FM100 pre-filter upgrade: easy install, adds water seperation, inexpensive... (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/171668-fm100-pre-filter-upgrade-easy-install-adds-water-seperation-inexpensive.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastpakr (Post 1342708)

Very interesting, I've been wondering about options for water separation systems. Thanks for the great writeup. Once I've got the 300D back on the road, I'd love to catch up and take a look at what you've got.

Sounds great. I'm kind of a new MB enthusiast, bought my first this past summer, fixed it up mechanically - sold it (it was hard to sell but...), then bought my 240 and I love it and plan to keep and slowly restore it. I'm going to take an adult/continuing education class in auto body repair at Patrick Henry HS beginning next January - if your MB needs some work and you have Tues nights free consider joining in!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

I might have to buy that as a Christmas gift to the Mercedes.

so far the car is getting about 80% of my christmas wish list

man do i know what you mean! the FM100 (among other things) were early Christmas presents for me & my MB (i have trouble delaying gratification) :D.

cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwgn

R, wouldn't it make sense that you would now use an additive (like stanadyne) that causes water to accumulate vs. being removed from the system? I would think a product that removes water would defeat the purpose of the separator :confused:

T

yeah - i do use stanadyne.

even using other additives though, a water seperator is great insurance because multipurpose diesel fuel additives only have the ability to remove a very small amount of water. they're designed to address the water that enters fuel through condensation in your vehicles tank. so, if you run into a fuel source that's significantly contaminated, no multipurpose fuel additive is going to prevent the water from getting to your fuel injection system - but a FM100 probably will.

also, aside from the FM100s water seperation capability, this is an excellent pre-filter. using a high quality pre-filter will result in cleaner fuel making it to your MBs fuel injection system. clean fuel causes less wear, burns more thoroughly and introduces fewer contaminants into your oil so your engine should function optimally longer.

cheers!

Agreed. No additive is capable of removing a large slug of water should that be encountered. I think Stanadyne would be one of the better choices permitting the separator to do the best job possible in a mobile environment (moving/shaking/mixing).

Do any of the other mainstream additives cause water to fall out? Most of the additives I'm familiar with attempt to remove water from the system.

Thx.

Fleetguard Filters

For anyone that may have a Permacool setup, such as they sell thru JC Whitney, I've found a Fleetguard replacement for the filter.

Looking thru their catalog supplement on line, I came across the FS1204, which is listed as a replacement for the Permacool B1000, the filter included in their kits.

On a side note, at least for an '87 300D Turbo, oil filter LF3584, secondary fuel filter FF5373, and for anyone interested in setting up a coolant filter (regardless of model), WF 2077 coolant filter and 204163S mounting head.

Stanadyne kits available through **************.com. I have been utilizing these folks for a few years, they are prompt, and knowledgeable. I use the short filter, keep a spare in he trunk, due to room constraints. These kits contain all neccessary mounting hardware, and instructions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ (Post 1344482)

the kits they offer are great, but you can do the install yourself with parts from reliable and your local auto parts store for literally less than 1/3 the cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwgn

Do any of the other mainstream additives cause water to fall out?

PowerService additives seem to "treat" so little water that seperators are still effective. Amsoil additives are also reported to de-mulsify.

cheers!

just though i'd report that the FM100 30 micron pre-filter water seperator IS WORKING!!

here are some views of the water it has removed from my fuel since installed ~2 weeks ago. remember that with just a stock setup our IPs, injectors, etc are having to deal with this...

http://www.usta-va.com/rob/MB/DSCN0478.JPG

http://www.usta-va.com/rob/MB/DSCN0479.JPG

cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUNRG (Post 1341113)

Overview: this upgrade addresses the concern some have over the absence of a fuel/water separator in 123s, and adds an excellent pre-filter that should increase both the final filter’s efficiency and life.

Top View (install details follow):
http://sustainablepower.net/MB/FM100/1.jpg

Parts:
Stanadyne FM100 30 micron pre-filter water seperator assembly (3/8" NPT ports)
go to www.reliableindustries.com or call 800-693-4583, order part#33641 - LINK for a measely $32.68

other parts you'll need:

~4' 5/16 fuel hose
2 hose clamps
brass fittings: 2x - bushings 3/8 to 1/8, 2x - 3/8 plugs, 2x - 1/8 street elbows, 2x - 1/8 to 5/16 hose
teflon tape
stainless steel mounting hardware: 2x - 5/16x1-1/4" bolts, 4x - flat washers, 2x - 5/16 nuts, 2x - 5/16 self-locking nuts

the install:
1. assemble all brass fittings on the filter head.

2. attach the short section of hose to the intake and the in-line pre-filter

3. mount filter
drill 2 5/16" holes
insert 1-1/4 bolts from the back, put a little permanent locktite (red) on the first 1/4 inch of exposed threads, then tighten down nuts over the locktite against the sheetmetal (this creates your filter mounting posts), then add flat washers, filter head, flat washers, self-locking nuts

http://sustainablepower.net/MB/FM100/4.jpg

4. attach remaining fuel hoses

5. pre-fill FM100 with a good fuel additive (unscrew large black filter assembly cap by hand and pour additive in).

6. prime system with OEM hand pump

7. drive - you're done!

additional images:
http://sustainablepower.net/MB/FM100/2.jpg

in-line's already catching crud:
http://sustainablepower.net/MB/FM100/3.jpg

Clear Bowl Water Reservior Option:
you can see in the pics that i have an additional clear bowl water reservior installed. this is an easy screw-on option - part#29899 $26.96 from reliable. i happened to have this one already, so i installed it but it's hard to view so i will probably leave it off when i replace the filter.

FM100 water removal efficiency:
http://sustainablepower.net/MB/FM100/h2o_removal.jpg

Nicely done, and a good follow up. Does the teflon tape hold up? I tried it on some fittings that I use on my veggie oil filtering station, and it promptly disintegrated. Veg oil is a bit nastier in some respects then diesel, so at full dino you might not have a problem for a long while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury (Post 1362097)

thanks! you've got some cool bikes - i'd love to see that Medici.

re: teflon tape - i'm not sure what to tell you because from my experience it should work fine for veg filtering...

since i've taken ownership of the MB it's been fueled exclusively with biodiesel (roughly B40), the teflon taped FM100 setup on my VW has also been used exclusively with biodiesel (B33 to B100) - both are leak free. my understanding and experience is that teflon tape is perfect for petro and bio/veg fueling applications.

loads of people instruct the use of teflon in veg oil to biodiesel processors, here's just a few that came up googling "biodiesel teflon tape":

http://www.homegrownfuels.net/services.html
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/standpipewashtank/
http://www.ezbiodiesel.com/accessories.htm

hope you find something that works.

cheers!

Is it heated?

will us northern folks be able to use it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomer (Post 1362546)

Is it heated?

will us northern folks be able to use it?

there are two FM100 heater options (a side loading and a top loading) but IMHO a heater is not necessary - even in the north - unless your existing in-line prefilter is currently freezing up. i.e. - this pre-filter has probably 25-50 times the surface area of the stock in-line prefilter and because its 30-micron fuel should have no problem getting through it.

cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUNRG (Post 1362558)

I'm worried about the water in the bowl freezing and cracking the bowl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomer (Post 1362659)

I'm worried about the water in the bowl freezing and cracking the bowl.

that will never happen. this exact design from stanadyne is rebadged and comes as OEM equipment on John Deere, Mack, CAT, New Holland and many others on equipment sold in all climates. cheers!

I just purchased one and will do the install according to your directions. Great write up. Only problem is I did not pay attention to the filter, so the stock 150 microns is being shipped. Still, including shipping, total came to $52 from the company you listed the link for.

Thanks for all the great info!

I installed one of these and feel much better about my fuel system.
Super easy, and affordable as well.

I think i'll check to see which micron rating filter I got though. :confused:

Thanks a bunch for the write-up!

In my installation though I used 2 3/8-1/4" bushings and 2 1/4"- 5/16 90 degree hose fitting, which did away with 2 brass fittings and worked fine as far as I can tell. :)