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  #1  
Old 09-24-2009, 11:20 AM
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Black Fine matter from secondary fuel filter | w210

I changed my pre-filter and full flow filter last night in anticipation of my trip to the Petit LeMans in Braselton, GA this weekend.

I know this is a huge no-no, but I was in a bind and using a separate cup with a paper coffee filter, I poured out some of the diesel from the old filter in order to half fill the new filter (topped the rest with my PrimRose diesel additive). What I noticed was a fine, uniform black matter that had settled on the coffee filter. In my finger tips it felt kind of gritty. Now I also replaced the pre-filter and it was clean.

What is this matter. I know pics help, which I saved the filter for dissection, but wanted to put this out there for those that may have also experienced this and can give aheads up on what I may be dealing with. My first thought is fungus/bacteria.

The car has been sitting for most fo the last 2 years, sleeping in my garage with the occasional start-up/idle or short drive to bring the fluids to temp. Now with my suspension sorted, I'll be driving it more again.

I saw Startron in another thread for handling the fungus/bacteria...

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Last edited by michakaveli; 09-24-2009 at 11:52 AM.
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Old 09-24-2009, 11:52 AM
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For good measure, I'll be picking up a spare fuel filter and a bottle of the Startron additive today.
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Old 09-24-2009, 12:39 PM
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Could be oring residue too.
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  #4  
Old 09-24-2009, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by TMAllison View Post
Could be oring residue too.
True, but there was a good amount of it from the half of the filter worth of diesel I poured out.

I like the debunking thought.
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Old 09-24-2009, 12:59 PM
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Water in the bottom of the filter creating rust? You said it has been sitting a lot, just an idea...
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Old 09-24-2009, 04:11 PM
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Could be just plain old dirt. I wouldn't over analyze it. Clearly your old filter captured it and prevented it from entering the IP, so it was doing its job.
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Old 09-24-2009, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by lupin..the..3rd View Post
Could be just plain old dirt. I wouldn't over analyze it. Clearly your old filter captured it and prevented it from entering the IP, so it was doing its job.
I was thinking that I was initially over analyzing also, but for some reason to me it seems that it doesn't have as much pep to it as before, but then again I haven't driven it regularly for a while, and I still had a pesky air leak somewhere in the fuel lines.

After the filter changes I did take it out for a spin and ran up up to redline through 4 of the 5 gears and it seemed to run ok.
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Old 09-25-2009, 12:32 AM
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http://westcoastpetroleum.com/how.htm

HUM BUGS (Hydrocarbon Utilizing Micro-Organisms) - These organisms are found everywhere in the environment. They enter the fuel tank by air and water. They form a layer of scum at the free water-fuel interface, die, and settle on the tank bottom forming a gritty layer that appears like sand or black pepper. The combination of scum, bottom grit, and bad fuel is the major ingredient of BUG MUCK which enters the fuel system causing plugged fuel lines, filters, and gauges; corroded pumps and injectors; swollen and blistered hoses, washers, and connectors; increased fuel costs; increased maintenance costs; and unacceptable air pollution levels.
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Last edited by pmari; 09-25-2009 at 12:56 AM.
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Old 09-25-2009, 01:15 AM
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pmari nailed it. It's microbes.

BTW, we're heading up to Road Atlanta in the morning. Look for the white Ford pickup with Ohio plates in the infield with a canopy, humidor, huge cooler of water, Red Bull and Beer and c'mon over.
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Old 09-25-2009, 06:19 AM
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I agree it is most likely bacteria. Use the fungicide and be glad you caught it before you got plugged up on the highway!
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Old 09-25-2009, 08:38 AM
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Thanks Guys!
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Old 09-25-2009, 08:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gerkebi View Post
pmari nailed it. It's microbes.

BTW, we're heading up to Road Atlanta in the morning. Look for the white Ford pickup with Ohio plates in the infield with a canopy, humidor, huge cooler of water, Red Bull and Beer and c'mon over.
I'll be on the look out!
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Old 09-25-2009, 10:11 AM
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Added some Startron to the tank this AM before my short journey to work. Let the enzyme action begin!

One of these days I should pull my tank. I've had rust in the neck since day 1, and considering the cleanliness of the car when I bought it many moons ago, I doubt it's been as loved and cared for as I. Who knows what else is in that tank...

I amazes me that 1oz. of Startron treats 32 gallons of fuel. That minute amount of product will coat the neck of the fuel tank before it hits the fuel in the tank, if it makes it that far. It's like using a medicine dropped, letting one drop into a glass of water.
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Old 09-26-2009, 01:59 AM
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Startron is 99.5% or so Naphtha.

I haven't ever been given a proper explanation for what "enzymes" they claim to have in there.

I even spent about $40 to have some shipped to me from a shipyard in Maine before I realized I'd been had.

There are biocides however.

I used one made by Power Service.

I don't know how much of a difference it made but if there was anything living in there it surely perished.
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Old 09-26-2009, 06:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michakaveli View Post
Added some Startron to the tank this AM before my short journey to work. Let the enzyme action begin!

One of these days I should pull my tank. I've had rust in the neck since day 1, and considering the cleanliness of the car when I bought it many moons ago, I doubt it's been as loved and cared for as I. Who knows what else is in that tank...

I amazes me that 1oz. of Startron treats 32 gallons of fuel. That minute amount of product will coat the neck of the fuel tank before it hits the fuel in the tank, if it makes it that far. It's like using a medicine dropped, letting one drop into a glass of water.
Pour in more...they make a fuel tank cleaner which is the same stuff in a larger bottle and the recommended dosage is much greater. I used about 16 oz. of the cleaner per tank in my wagon until I used it up (that's about 1 ounce per gallon). The prefilter immediately turned brown/black and would plug after driving 10 miles, then evenutally, after a couple of tanks it stopped. You can't "overdose" on it by using more than is recommended.

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