today, my plans are to drain and pull the tank, then wash out the inside and treat it with algicide, which i would empty out of the tank before filling with fuel again. this work will be accompanied by a fuel line, return line and filter replacement. however, the only algicide i was able to find is made for swimming pool treatment (bioguard inhibit). is this alright to use in the tank or should i order one of the brands specially made for diesel?

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1980 240D, 197580 miles - "The Stuttgart Stomper"

Your pool algicide will likely not kill the bacteria or fungus in your tank. Algea need light to grow. The stuff in your tank is either bacteria or fungus. You'll want to use a diesel biocide or, if you can assure that you rinse it out completely some other biocide. Diesel biocide will burn harmlessly in your fuel, other biocides may not.

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Startron sold by Westmarine. You may not need to drain the tank. I was surprised.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Use AlgaeX fuel treatment--it works wonders on dirty fuel systems

Squeeze the algae and make biodiesel outa it

regardless of how you clean your tank, change your fuel supplier !! otherwise the infection will continue.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

usually just using the boicide and new filters will do the trick. I would not pull or drain the tank until I tried that. Personally I have never drained a tank for bacteria, the biocide will kill it and render it able to run out through the filter and burn off.

Good luck!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Actually you have the Seed of good idea there.

Grow the stuff you are going to use as Fuel right in the Fuel Tank.

But, I think it will take a while for technology to catch up with that one.

Maybe some time in the future they will be able to genetically alter something that would grow and turn into Fuel right in the Tank (don't tell Big Oil).

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

The pool algecide is intended for use in water systems and is probably a water based product. You might very well make the problem worse.

Shop at a marine, boat, etc. supply store. They should have several products intended for diesel fuel. I prefer and use Soltron. I've never drained my tank or cleaned the in tank fuel screen.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

I already have a rudeimentary plann you get a flat style tank -like those spare tire replacement tanks, you cut the top off and you install a hinged lid/press kinda like an old forge billows that squeezes the alge filled tank, then you employ a midget to sit in the trunk pushing down the billows lid squeezing as you drive along--of course you are runnin the ooze thru a raycor filter to strain /clean the slime out tween the tank and motor!

I used Startron and my filters still clogged. I switched to Biocide and it appears to be helping. No need to removed the tank at first. Just buy a bunch of spare in-line filters.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

which starton product did you use?
the fuel conditioner (snake oil) or tank cleaner?
biocide will plug up filters, fuel conditioner will do little for the infection.
tank cleaner will kill the fungus, and make it able to pass through the filters.
the trick is to reverse the tank lines, and have the biocide flush out the tank strainer, and NEVER LET THE TANK GET BELOW 1/2 level!!! after a week, change the filters, put the lines back the way it was, and drive happy!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Tank cleaner.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)