Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 10-11-2008, 08:20 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
We took apart the vacuum pump and found a piece of rubber the size of a BB that was causing one of the check valves to hang open. Otherwise the pump looked fine. I really thought I had this thing licked when I put it back on, but it was not to be. I think I'm going to go after the tank strainer next. I just don't understand why it runs fine from a full tank to a half tank. I would imagine that a clogged strainer would cause the car to exhibit these symptoms regardless of tank level. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-11-2008, 09:09 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: East Toadsuck Vermont
Posts: 61
Here is a theory.(just my 2 c)Your tank has been sitting for two years (old possibly algal fuel)
When you fill it up you stir all this crud up in your tank.After awhile it settles and plugs your strainer.You fill it up again and repeat.
If you take the back seat apart..find the sending unit take it out you can
view the inside of your tank with a flashlight.I did this with my 79 sd.My sending unit is under the first aid kit plastic tray.
With mine it was a 46mm socket 3/4 drive . I could not get a wrench around it.
Your sedan may differ.It's the same socket for the strainer.You have to drain the tank to replace the strainer..you don't if you view it from above through the sending unit.My strainer was ok .I had an air leak replaced my primer pump and all was well.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10-11-2008, 10:04 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocketrider View Post
I think I'm going to go after the tank strainer next. I just don't understand why it runs fine from a full tank to a half tank. I would imagine that a clogged strainer would cause the car to exhibit these symptoms regardless of tank level. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
A wise idea.

A clogged strainer allows sufficient fuel when the strainer is totally immersed in the fuel.........all possible area is utilized for fuel. As soon as some of the strainer is above the fuel level, the available fuel to the pump starts to drop. When you get really low, the engine will barely run on the available fuel.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-12-2008, 11:02 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
I'm going after the strainer today. Unfortunately, I can't get the sending unit out as I do not have a 46mm socket. I tried various pliers as well with no luck. I disconnected the fuel supply line from the tank and am getting only a light trickle. I think I have found the problem (clogged strainer). Then again, I have said that before. Wish me luck!
__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10-12-2008, 11:07 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocketrider View Post
I'm going after the strainer today. Unfortunately, I can't get the sending unit out as I do not have a 46mm socket. I tried various pliers as well with no luck. I disconnected the fuel supply line from the tank and am getting only a light trickle. I think I have found the problem (clogged strainer). Then again, I have said that before. Wish me luck!
The sending unit is on the top of the tank, and it also takes that same socket.

The strainer is on the bottom of the tank. The 46mm socket or a 1 13/16 socket is necessary. You won't be able to use a socket wrench with these sockets........find yourself a pipe wrench to turn the socket.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-12-2008, 07:09 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
I think I've finally nailed down the problem. Today I drained the fuel tank (sort of) and pulled the tank strainer. After getting a 2 gallon fuel shower, I found that the strainer was full of SH&%! Looks like algae to me. I cleaned it and reinstalled it, then filled the fuel tank to capacity. I also added Star Tron additive by Starbrite. I use their products on my boat with good results. It is suppose to disperse bacteria and algae, stabilize fuel chemistry, and treats water in fuel. After getting all the air out of the lines, it still ran a little rough. It still acts like it's starving for fuel. I think the strainer is clogging up again. Man I hope that stuff clears the rest of the algae out. I really don't want to do this again. By the way, the car runs great when I switch to the Greasecar tank.
__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-20-2008, 12:49 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
Here's an update on my fuel starvation plight. Yesterday, I drained the tank again. This time I pulled the car up on ramps to tilt fuel towards the passenger side. I was able to siphon another couple gallons out. Then I pulled off the ramps and took out the strainer without getting a bath. The strainer was clean!

I changed the secondary fuel filter (I changed the primary on Saturday). When I pulled off the old secondary, it was only half full. I filled the new one with fuel and put it on. It ran great for a mile or so and it died again.

I haven't checked to see if the return line is clogged yet. Is there any chance a clogged return line could cause this issue? I'm running out of ideas.
__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-20-2008, 04:14 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocketrider View Post
When I pulled off the old secondary, it was only half full. I filled the new one with fuel and put it on. It ran great for a mile or so and it died again.
Disconnect the fuel line to the secondary. Run it into a small container. Crank the engine for 15 seconds. Report back on how many ounces of fuel are in the container. Measure it.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10-21-2008, 07:58 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
Sorry Brian, I didn't get back on last night. I did, however, find that my primary filter was clogged with dead algae. It's pretty fine and likely small enough to pass through the tank strainer, which was clean on Sunday. I have a couple primary filters and I am using brake cleaner to clean them out as I change them. Would you agree with this strategy? I have to believe that I'm getting close! Maybe doing this for a few days will remedy the problem. Thank goodness the car runs great on my WVO tank, otherwise I'd be stranded.
__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 10-21-2008, 09:39 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Boonville Indiana
Posts: 2,342
Gasoline

Submerge the filter in gasoline and leave them all the time when not in use... I use a plastic gallon container with a cap so gas doesn't evaporate... I also use gas to clean out the larger secondary filter... Fill about half way with gas and shake the filter. Do this acouple times... I also fill the filter half gas/half diesel so help clean the injectors etc... Jim
__________________
James A. Harris
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 10-21-2008, 09:03 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocketrider View Post
Sorry Brian, I didn't get back on last night. I did, however, find that my primary filter was clogged with dead algae. It's pretty fine and likely small enough to pass through the tank strainer, which was clean on Sunday. I have a couple primary filters and I am using brake cleaner to clean them out as I change them. Would you agree with this strategy? I have to believe that I'm getting close! Maybe doing this for a few days will remedy the problem. Thank goodness the car runs great on my WVO tank, otherwise I'd be stranded.
I'd be very surprised if the primary was packed solid with dead fungus to the point where it starves the secondary for fuel. It's certainly possible, but, if this is the actual situation, you're looking at some serious fungus problems in the tank and the strainer would be packed solid. I'm not buying the fact that the fungus passed thorough the strainer and was stopped by the primary. The primary is basically there to stop rocks.........not much more. If the fungus was really prevalent, the secondary would be full of it as well.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 10-22-2008, 07:35 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
Remember, I used StarTron which is supposed to disperse algae so that it will pass through the strainer. It was clean when I drained the tank on Sunday. Yesterday I changed the primary filter again and was able to drive the car longer before it clogged again. I'm not saying that I won't have to replace the secondary again before this is over, but it seems that I'm making progress. And yes, the algae was REALLY bad (3/8" coating around the strainer).
__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 10-22-2008, 08:24 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocketrider View Post
Remember, I used StarTron which is supposed to disperse algae so that it will pass through the strainer. It was clean when I drained the tank on Sunday. Yesterday I changed the primary filter again and was able to drive the car longer before it clogged again. I'm not saying that I won't have to replace the secondary again before this is over, but it seems that I'm making progress. And yes, the algae was REALLY bad (3/8" coating around the strainer).
Well, there's nothing like anecdotal evidence. If you change the primary and drive onward...........keep a lot of new one's available..........you'll need 'em.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 10-26-2008, 08:34 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 51
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxbumpo View Post
Try blowing air back into the fuel tank; if the 'supply' line blows easily but the 'return' line takes more effort because it's really the supply line and the other end is at the bottom of the fuel tank, then you've found a problem.
I am having a similar problem where if I run the supply and return lines to a can of fuel sitting up in the engine bay, the car runs great...but if I connect the supply and return lines to the tank in the back (stock), I get a good bit of hesitation.

With the fuel cap in the back of the car removed, I tried blowing in the supply line - hard to do, but I heard bubbles. I tried blowing in the return line - no bubbles, but very difficult to blow air through (still with the fuel cap off)...what could this indicate?
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 10-31-2008, 08:49 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 59
After changing the primary filter for the "umteenth" time, I was able to drive the car at highway speeds for over 10 miles this time with no misbehavior. I'm still getting dead algae in my filter, but less and less each time. At least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In hindsight, I probably should have just pulled the tank and had it soaked in solvent at a radiator shop. It likely would have been less time consuming and less of a headache than constantly swapping primary filters. I think I'll keep the tank from my parts car that's going to the recycler in the even that I have this issue in the future.

__________________
1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page