How would water in my fuel make my car act? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Brian Carlton · #16 02-17-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

Once I got it running it ran fine on DP. So apparently I have a tank full of s&^t. How do I get it out? When I had the fuel lines off to set up the DP fuel ran out of both the return and supply lines. Should I just let it run into a can? Unfortunatly it is FULL. I have it going in to my indy on Monday anyway. Should I just get it towed there (AAA Gold) or try to drive it in? The way it is running I dont think it would make it.

Get a 1 gallon can and run the supply and return lines into the can. A gallon of fuel will get you 20 miles or so.

I wouldn't attempt to drive it on the bad fuel.

babymog · #17 02-17-2007, 10:16 PM

Time vs money. If you have the time, try dropping a hose into the bottom of the tank, water is heavier than fuel, and siphon out the bottom of the tank. See what you get. If it is dirt or algae in the tank (I know, technically not algae) then you can filter the fuel, use a pump and in-line filter (20micron will do) and pump out/in the tank, after you recirculate the fuel long enough it will be clean, called "polishing" the fuel and it is common in diesel boats that get algae etc. in the fuel from sitting and could have hundreds of gallons of contaminated fuel.

Otherwise just siphon it out and see what you have.

TWeatherford · #18 02-17-2007, 10:31 PM

Keep a sample, the filters, etc, the place you filled up at *might* make good and at least fill your tank with clean fuel, especially if you have the receipt.

Draining the tank isn't that difficult, it involves ramps or jacking it up and getting diesel all over yourself, the floor, and pretty much everything but your catch pan. I guess with a full tank of fuel it will only be worse, not many 20 gallon catch pans around. You could pull the tank out as welll and get it good and clean, along with the pickup screen, which isn't that much more work than you'll already be doing.

Definately can use a 1 gallon jug under the hood or on the front bumper, like I have done, just make sure you don't run too many errands and lose track and run dry.

tangofox007 · #19 02-17-2007, 11:34 PM

Some months ago I reported my intentions to install a water separator on my '82 300D. A number of naysayers came forward to suggest that installing such a device was foolish and unnecessary.

Palangi · #20 02-17-2007, 11:45 PM

The 115 chassis diesels had a water drain plug on the fuel filter. The spin-on fuel filter was a step backwards, in my opinion. I have a water separator on mt 240D, and it does indeed pick up a bit of water.

ray m · #21 02-18-2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

The 115 chassis diesels had a water drain plug on the fuel filter. The spin-on fuel filter was a step backwards, in my opinion. I have a water separator on mt 240D, and it does indeed pick up a bit of water.

Where can you get a water seperator and where would you place it. RAY M

firemediceric · #22 02-18-2007, 06:52 AM

FM100 pre-filter upgrade: easy install, adds water seperation, inexpensive...

Post #41 and #47 are my installation.

Palangi · #23 02-18-2007, 09:58 PM

Here's the one I have:

http://www.marinefilters.com/productdetails.php?number1=4&modelnumber=W110A

I mounted it on the passenger side of the 240D engine compartment, where there happened to be some existing holes with the right spacing. This one is rated at 15 GPH, but in my opinion it would not be big enough for the 300D. If I was doing it again, I would go for the next bigger model.

tangofox007 · #24 02-18-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray m

Where can you get a water seperator and where would you place it. RAY M

I used a Stanadyne FM 10. Mounted it behind the left head light. All you need to do is drill two holes and extend the fuel hoses. Nothing to it.

muleears · #25 02-19-2007, 08:40 AM

The car goes in the shop in a few minutes. I'll post the results when I get them.

muleears · #26 02-19-2007, 06:25 PM

and it turned out it was a bad tank of fuel. Drained the old fuel, replaced with new and some injector cleaner and now it runs great. I'll keep an eye on the fuel filters for a few tanks to make sure any residual crap doesn't clog them up. Anything else I should do?