B20 in an '84 300 SD?

[Apotheoun]

I apologize if this has already been discussed and answered, but is there any risk in filling the tank with B20 diesel, in an older Mercedes, (like an '84 300SD)? Are there rubber gaskets and hoses at risk of an early breakdown?

I filled up for the first time yesterday (Shell at Twelfth and Vine in Philadelphia $2.89) and my SDS seems to love it so far. The idle is smoother and the exhaust smells better too. The thought of instantly reducing petroleum dependency by 20% is a strong motivation.

Do I need to change any hoses and parts? I will keep an eye on the fuel filters. Thanks in advance!

[MikeCook]

I changed over to B20 on the 85 300SD last year. Haven't had a problem with any leaks or filters getting clogged.

[justinperkins]

no problems at all. you might have already put b20 in there not knowing it since more and more gas stations are blending with bio.

[bgkast]

Go for it. With B20 your hoses will be fine.

[GRIESL]

Originally Posted by Apotheoun

I apologize if this has already been discussed and answered, but is there any risk in filling the tank with B20 diesel, in an older Mercedes, (like an '84 300SD)? Are there rubber gaskets and hoses at risk of an early breakdown?

I filled up for the first time yesterday (Shell at Twelfth and Vine in Philadelphia $2.89) and my SDS seems to love it so far. The idle is smoother and the exhaust smells better too. The thought of instantly reducing petroleum dependency by 20% is a strong motivation.

Do I need to change any hoses and parts? I will keep an eye on the fuel filters. Thanks in advance!

Your car will love it!

Keep an eye on filters. I went from a b20 gradually over four months or so to b100. With b20, you shouldn't have the problems I had, but I clogged about 25 of the little filters, one tank screen, and three spin on filters. If I had it to do over, I would have removed the fuel tank and had it steam cleaned.

[bgkast]

Wow. Could you see the gunk in the see through pre-filter? I've run half a tank of B99 and my pre-filter still looks new.

[GRIESL]

Originally Posted by bgkast

Wow. Could you see the gunk in the see through pre-filter? I've run half a tank of B99 and my pre-filter still looks new.

The clear filters looked horrible inside. I did toward the last 5 or so prefilter changes, start to blow them by hooking them up to the return line and feeding the fuel into a can. But it was messy. My tank didn't start releasing its junk until after about two tanks of bio. So the best may be yet to come. If you start seeing a lot of junk, like I said, I would seriously consider dropping the fuel tank and having it cleaned.

[Apotheoun]

Thanks everyone! I am glad to hear of so much success with Biodiesel in these older Mercedes-Benz marathon cars. I will definitely watch the filters.

[dougk]

I have a 1983 300sd that I have run b100 during the whole last summer. Just watch the little injector lines between injectors. They tend to go first.

DK

[RobTheMod]

I have run about twenty tanks of B99 in my 300SD.

I replaced the prefilter twice, main filter once, and installed a new set of between-injector lines. No other problems have manifested themselves.

Your mileage, so to speak, may vary, but that is my experience.

[Frankie]

Sounds like Griesl had a lot of junk in his tank for sure! PIA to run biodiesel in the beginning sometimes huh?

[Blevinsax]

I, have been running B20 in my main tank and WVO in the GreaseCar tank in the trunk for the last 7-8 months, however it is a '91 350SD. Haven't had any problems with filters, etc.

[vstech]

What is an SDS?
John

[bgkast]

Originally Posted by vstech

What is an SDS?
John

A SD with a manual transmission and a custom badge.

[winmutt]

RE the prefilters, you can save yourself a pretty penny by just taking the used one with diesel still in it, shaking and dumping. Most of the crap will come out. Just keep the tools on hand to clean/replace prefilter. I got in the habit of chaking mine out daily/every drive.