Have 1982 MB 240D ST....nice sedan....low mileage....140K.....it seems I have to replace fuel filters once or twice a year.....could be bad fuel but it's been happening for past several years now so I don't think this is the root cause of the problem.....

Purchased car about 6 years ago with only 60K on odometer....was owned by an older gentleman who did not use the car, died and the car was sold several years later.

Is there something that is causing this to happen, and if so, what do you suppose could be creating this build-up????? Are there any preventative measures that can be taken to correct this problem?

Thanks.

You may have a fungus problem in your tank. Have you looked at the tank strainer for signs of fungus (algae)?

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It's not algae if its in your tank. I'm a biologist and I can't stand it when people get it wrong. Algae needs light to grow. I'm not attacking you, a lot of people get it wrong. Flame over.


Anyway, it does sound like you have a fungus problem. Check out your pre filter. If you have black gooey stuff in it rather than bits and chunks then you probably have a fungus problem. There are several biocide products out there, I've never used any so I can say which is good. But you generally dump it in your tank and then run the tank empty. You may have to do it a couple of times. You'll have to change the filters, because the biocide will kill the fungus and it will end up in your filters. The other option is pulling out the tank and having it cleaned.

Also how many miles are you putting on the car. If you are driving a lot it's not too far fetched that you should be changing the filter that often. You could also just have a clogged up tank screen, and when the fuel filters get just a little plugged you've created enough blockage to cause issues. So fresh filters and a tank screen cleaning might do the job also.

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You are correct - I did parenthesise algae because if you do a search on the forum you will get more information with algae than fungus.

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98 E300 DT
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97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

My fuel tank has a sunroof.... LOL

I have a 1980 240d and have posted about taking the tank out and pressure washing it....
It comes out easy ... and has holes spaced around it so that you can really clean it at the local car wash.

Then you clean that filter at the bottom of the tank, put new 90 degree clear inline filter in, new canister filter in , bleed and you should be good for years...
With your description the chances are at some point you will actually get stoppage of fuel flow at way before you get low on fuel someday... usually at most inoportune time..and it stump you as to why... so the filter at the bottom of the fuel tank is important... check archives for all sorts of great info..

Thanks folks for these heads ups.....if anyone else has input, please input......

biodiesel......

YES....it is black gooey stuff that accumulates in filter......so it just might be a fungus among us.......are you SURE about using a pesticide in the fuel tank....sounds draconian to me....but then again, I don't know what the hell I'm doing here.....lol

Only putting about 5,000 max on car annually these days....NO MORE.....

We have already given you all the correct information.... what more do you want ?
LOL

As they say.....FINIS....and muchos gratias senors......mucho gusto!

Not a pesticide you get at the local garden center but a product made to kill fungus and other living organisms in diesel fuel. There are several commercial products like Biobor that are for just that purpose. Go to the nearest truck stop or boating supply and you'll find one. Startron, while not technically a biocide, is also popular.

If the car sat for a while you could just have the standard black rubbery deposits left behind by diesel fuel over the years. Try dropping the tank strainer and either replacing it or scrubbing the goo off of it with a toothbrush and some solvent. Search the forum for tank strainer and you'll find lots of info and exciting pictures.

Also might try a couple of bottles of Diesel Purge on a half tank and run it down low...

I would go with the biocide stuff. Diesel purge I would think, should be used after the treatment.

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to do a complete job w/ biocide, fill tank to the brim w/ a dose of biocide in it, then run to empty.

also- if you drop the tank screen, you can "rinse" the tank a few times by replacing screen, dumoing fuel in, shaking car, drain fuel. repeat. you can use the same fuel, just strain it thru a funnel w/ cheescloth or a rag to catch the crapola.

but you may be further ahead by just pulling the tank, washing it, drying it, back flushing the lines w/ low pressure compressed air and reinstalling it all.

I fought w/ fungus for a year(18K miles) before it straightened out. wish I would've just droppe dthe tank to start with.

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1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

Can I ASSUME that a new replacement fuel tank will CURE this problem without the purging of existing tank and possible foul up of fuel lines and engine parts??????

If so, will this issue resurface in a new fuel tank or is this typically a one-time thing with a 25 year old fuel tank???.....hell, I'll be dead and gone in another 25 years....lol

if you don't want to mess with cleaning out the tank, then take it to a radiator shop and they'll get it nice and clean for you. A new tank is a bit silly.

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1985 300D cali 190K

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