Diesel Fuel Additives, biocide, etc - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Biglex · #1 01-03-2007, 12:30 PM

I have been using startron in my biodiesel fuel mixes, and it seems to work well in cleaning out fungus and algea type crud in the fuel, and also seems to help prevent it as well.

Basically I am just trying to see what other people use, and what type of results they have had. I have a bottle of PRI-D that is supposed to be really good too, so if anyone has tried either of these, or any others and has any info on them, that would be most appreciated.

Old300D · #2 01-03-2007, 12:44 PM

Mostly biodiesel, B60 right now. And occasionally a dose of diesel anti-gel to the diesel or Isoheet to the biodiesel.

justinperkins · #3 01-03-2007, 01:13 PM

I thought biodiesel was a good enough cleaner as-is. There isn't algae in biodiesel, it's from petrodiesel sitting in your tank too long.

Knightrider966 · #4 01-03-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biglex

I have been using startron in my biodiesel fuel mixes, and it seems to work well in cleaning out fungus and algea type crud in the fuel, and also seems to help prevent it as well.

Basically I am just trying to see what other people use, and what type of results they have had. I have a bottle of PRI-D that is supposed to be really good too, so if anyone has tried either of these, or any others and has any info on them, that would be most appreciated.

I used to use biodiesel when I first got my Benz to clear up those pesky microbe/fungus problems until I found out how much better it was for the environment, engine, National security, health, farmers, global warming and no war required! Oh, and it will kill and flush those funguses and microbes out and kill them too!

Biglex · #5 01-03-2007, 02:35 PM

Ok, let me reword this just a bit. What I refer to as biodiesel is actually a WVO blend. There tends to be a fungus buildup if I let my stuff sit in the tank for long. Then it clogs the filters and all that good stuff. Just wondering what other people use to combat this.

justinperkins · #6 01-03-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biglex

Ok, let me reword this just a bit. What I refer to as biodiesel is actually a WVO blend. There tends to be a fungus buildup if I let my stuff sit in the tank for long. Then it clogs the filters and all that good stuff. Just wondering what other people use to combat this.

AFAIK, no fuel should be producing fungus *unless* you're letting your cars sit for a really long time without running the engine.

Are you sure you're getting clogging because of fungus or maybe it's because you're using non-heated VO?

Maybe your cars were sitting for a while before you purchased them and they haven't been properly cleaned out?

Biglex · #7 01-03-2007, 02:57 PM

I am going to guess the fuel system was just grimey from 173K miles of crud and neglect. I have heard many times that WVO will form a fungus in it though, so I am just taking some precautions.

dannym · #8 01-03-2007, 03:01 PM

I am almost guaranteed to get fungus in my WVO if I don't treat it. I use Startron and it probably works the best, in my opinion.
I have actually had fungus problems that Startron cleared up after a tank or so.

I have tried Biobor but it says not for automobile use so I don't use it anymore. May I suggest you read the labels on the chemicals you want to use before you buy them.

Danny

Knightrider966 · #9 01-03-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biglex

Ok, let me reword this just a bit. What I refer to as biodiesel is actually a WVO blend. There tends to be a fungus buildup if I let my stuff sit in the tank for long. Then it clogs the filters and all that good stuff. Just wondering what other people use to combat this.

I use diesel clean and it seems to work even with biodiesel. What is your ratio of WVO to Dino Diesel? Something is wrong here! You shouldn't be getting fungussed! Vegetable oil will starve microbes to death and fungus just shouldn't form in a WVO blend if the blend unless the blend is really thin. do you let this car sit for long periods of time? Biodiesel will definitely flush out the crap from your system but it will put it into your fuel filters! Diesel Clean will help clear your system, but this fungus thing gets me.

pmari · #10 01-03-2007, 06:41 PM

I'm on my second bottle of PRI-D, hard to tell if it's doing anything wthout looking in the intake manifold, injectors or fuel tank? It does seem to cut down on smoke. No seat of the pants feel to it though. StarTron (X-Bee) has done what it advertizes for me. Except the milage increase, but thats not the products fault. I'm also going to try the primrose products.

I'm also found of FPPF (total) products and amsoil cetane boost. These 2 will give a seat of pants improvement.

There is such misinformation about HUM (hydrocarbon Utilizing Microorganisms) bugs going around

Microbes can grow in Plant oils, Biodiesel, petro diesel, gasoline, etc...

BUT... the one common denominator is water. The critters live (flourish) in the fuel water interface., i.e., the boundry layer between the polar and nonpolar fluids. KR966 I tried to tell you in this thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biglex

I so if anyone has tried either of these, or any others and has any info on them, that would be most appreciated.

justinperkins · #11 01-03-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightrider966

I use diesel clean and it seems to work even with biodiesel. What is your ratio of WVO to Dino Diesel? Something is wrong here! You shouldn't be getting fungussed! Vegetable oil will starve microbes to death and fungus just shouldn't form in a WVO blend if the blend unless the blend is really thin. do you let this car sit for long periods of time? Biodiesel will definitely flush out the crap from your system but it will put it into your fuel filters! Diesel Clean will help clear your system, but this fungus thing gets me.

That's what I'm saying, I don't get it either.

Biglex · #12 01-03-2007, 08:24 PM

Just as an FYI, since we seem to be more technical than I had anticipated on this post, there is NO algea in biodiesel, WVO, or petro-diesel. A KEY to algea is light. It HAS to have it to grow. It grows through photosynthesis by converting light. It is actually bacteria and microbes.

NewBenzOwner · #13 01-03-2007, 08:47 PM

My question is how does the light get into the tank? I know MB has a long option list, but I didn't see a sunroof option for the fuel tank. I understand it could grow, I just don't know how.

justinperkins · #14 01-03-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBenzOwner

My question is how does the light get into the tank? I know MB has a long option list, but I didn't see a sunroof option for the fuel tank. I understand it could grow, I just don't know how.

What Biglex is saying is that algae *doesn't* grow in the tank, we just call it that because it's easier to say than "bacteria and microbes".

His point is there is crap in his tank and he's saying it's caused by using vegetable oil. His question is how to remove it.

What some people (including myself) are saying is:
Bacteria and microbes (or whatever they're technically called) should not be growing in a biodiesel/vegetable oil environment. They actually die in this environment, causing clogged filters.

Knightrider966 · #15 01-03-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biglex

Just as an FYI, since we seem to be more technical than I had anticipated on this post, there is NO algea in biodiesel, WVO, or petro-diesel. A KEY to algea is light. It HAS to have it to grow. It grows through photosynthesis by converting light. It is actually bacteria and microbes.

All I can say right now is, drain your fuel system, clean and replace your filters and fill up with Biodiesel and keep driving it until your low on fuel and see what happens.

Microbes, fungusses, or whatever will not grow in biodiesel because of the methanol factor.