What is the deal with my car?!! (1985 300d)

[soulbean]

OK. I have adjusted the valves, changed the filters, put biocide in the tank, added a HHO maker, and the car has the most power it's had since I bought it this past summer for $640. It halls. Big time. Consistantly. Except for the following scenario:

The problem I have is the following: EVERY time I drive the thing for an extended period of time, (with excellent power experienced, I might add), and I stop, turn the car off, and run an errand, EVERY FRICKEN TIME, the car struggles to start. When it does, it has NO power. I usually can limp home... The next day, if I have to go from point A to point B, I will have excellent power. If I have to stop and turn the thing off, it's slow mobile-ville again.

PLEASE HELP!

(BTW, this SAME PROBLEM existed BEFORE the valve adjustment and BEFORE the HHO maker and BEFORE the filters where changed. I just have more power now, but the same initial problem persists...)

[t walgamuth]

Try another boicide treatment. It sounds like the tank screen is getting clogged and when it sits it falls off.

[fdanielson]

Pull the tank screen and clean it. Even if you killed off the stuff in the tank the screen itself is probably coated with goo.

[Jadavis]

From the Department of Energy Backup Power Work Group Best Practices Handbook for Maintenance and Operation of Engine Generators, Volume 1, page 22 of the linked PDF.

http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=491576

"It is important to realize that biocides and stabilizers are not effective in correcting existing fuel contamination problems. Extreme caution should be taken not to treat a tank that is in service with a known problem. Stabilizers will not reduce the combustible particles in fuel, but will prevent more particulate from forming in the fuel. Furthermore, if a diesel fuel tank has large microbiological colonies treating the fuel tank with biocide while in service may result in engine failure if the colonies are killed and float to the engine suction line. If a tank is known to have severe to moderate biological growth problems the tank should be taken out of service and cleaned prior to adding a biocide."

In short, you killed the growies and they are now clogging your in tank screen.

-Jim

[Paulc66t]

Next time that happens try pulling the vacuum line from the shut off diaphram on the IP. I have had the same problem and found the key on position was not relieving all the vacuum unless the car sat for awhile and was causing it to be fuel starved.

[winmutt]

I can't believe ppl are still adding HHO makers.......


Perhaps your tank vent line is collapsed?

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by winmutt

I can't believe ppl are still adding HHO makers.......

What is an HHO maker? (and do I really want to know?) the search function brought up no hits except this thread.

[rrgrassi]

I guess it should be HHO generator.

[soulbean]

Where did you get those *****en springs? I read a while ago that the company was considering making some if several people got together and ordered. Can you recommend any alternatives? Also, with all do respect, what is your beef re: HHO? Clearly, the care has at least a little more oomph. Last question; Is your car loud w/o the muffler? What are your thoughts about switching the main muffler with a Borla or equiviant?

[winmutt]

I sincerely doubt the car has more oomph from the HHO.

Louder yes, louder than a cummins? No. I will eventually replace it with a tin can on the end to make it quieter.

[raffo]

Jeremy5848, checkout this site www.runyourcaronwater.com

If anyone has a better and up to date HHO generator, please post.

[kerry]

Originally Posted by raffo

Jeremy5848, checkout this site www.runyourcaronwater.com

If anyone has a better and up to date HHO generator, please post.

Ask the question again when Forced Induction is unbanned for an interesting answer.

[shadetreemechan]

Next time your car is sluggish, try opening the fuel cap and listen for a sucking sound. If your tank vent is clogged it will starve the vehicle of fuel.

[winmutt]

Originally Posted by raffo

Jeremy5848, checkout this site www.runyourcaronwater.com

If anyone has a better and up to date HHO generator, please post.

Can anyone actually prove it works? How about a little common sense. If it worked wouldnt car manufacturers be implementing it?

[barry123400]

The vent line to the tank being pretty well obstructed does make the most sense in your situation. Do the loose cap thing first as suggested by another member.