tank growth - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

paddo · #1 12-16-2010, 05:55 PM

Today I traced my air-in-diesel problem to the inline prefilter, clogged with an almost black slime - haven't seen it before but surely must be tank infection?
I remember seeing in an old merc diesel user's manual that you can put up to 15% (or was it 10%) gasoline in the tank in winter. No longer recommended because of risk of explosion I believe, but suggests it will not harm the motor.
As far as I know gasoline does not support this type of growth, so hopefully that will kill it off.
Searching the posts I see startron tank cleaner recommended so that will be the next option if above fails. Actually I could also try adding about 15% veg oil, since I just read that does not support growth either (surprisingly - if I was a bug I'd much prefer veg oil over diesel).

jcciem · #2 12-16-2010, 06:07 PM

I've seen the black slime many times used to think it was fungal or bacterial slime. For me it's always been some water in the fuel. Water being a good solvent just sloshes around and picks up any dirt in the tank, as it gets pulled in the see through filter it floats to the top of the fuel and looks like black slime as it gets pulled toward the injectors. If it gets recycled a few more times circulating through the system it gets blacker and more slime like. If you look at the slime under a microscope it's just fine particulate mixed with water.

'94SL500 56,000
'87 300SDL 294,000
'89 300TE 180,000

layback40 · #3 12-16-2010, 08:56 PM

Put some fuel conditioner in (startron I think its called) & change where you buy your fuel.
It is crazy trying to play with petrol etc to fix a common problem for witch there is a simple solution.
Do a search & you will find plenty of threads about your problem.
Hardly a week goes by without some one some place having a black gunk problem.
You have got C##P fuel in your tank.
If the additive doesnt fix it, clean the strainer & replace the filters.
The black bugs prefer diesel, they have class, no one in their right mind would want some of the stuff thats in WVO.

SD Blue · #4 12-16-2010, 09:08 PM

Ditto, get some Startron fuel conditioner. In your area a likely source would be marinas as damp conditions and diesel fuel are prime conditions for the fungus. Also, get 3-4 in-line fuel filters to keep from getting stranded.

BTW, at this time of year, I would definitely stay away from veggie oil in the tank. Winter conditions and veggie oil don't mix and you'll end up with a big mess of clogged injectors, injection pump and fuel lines when it solidifies.

Diesel911 · #5 12-16-2010, 09:32 PM

If you do kill the growth with Gasoline the dead bodies can still plug Filters. This means you could be spending money on several Filter changes; not to mention the labor to change them.

The boicide Startron (they make differen products so read the lable) has an enzyme that breaks up the dead bodies so they are small enough to pass through the Filters. That saves you money because you may not have to buy a new Fileter and time because you many not need to do any Filter changes.

paddo · #6 12-16-2010, 09:45 PM

Well read the thread too late, already put about 10% gas in - but I've done that before just to improve starting as once reco'd by mercedes so not a problem (unless the car explodes that could be a minor issue).
Taht startron stuff is expensive like $30-40 and probably a big rip-off, plastic inline filters are about $3. YOu think I'll go through 10? Might not even be an infection as one poster said, in which case just need an emulsifier type tank treatment to dissolve the water. Also probably isn't too bad or the tank screen filter would be clogged. I tested the fuel line by attaching clear plastic tube to the fuel line and sucking on it, not much resistance at all.

Another thing, when I blew backwards through the old inline filter, some pieces of slime blew right out - it wasn't bonded to the element at all. I wonder if that means it is not a organism? I'd think an organism would set up shop on and through the filter element and not budge easily at all.

t walgamuth · #7 12-16-2010, 10:00 PM

The biocide is very concentrated and will treat many tanks full.

You have been given good advice. Since you choose not to believe you may pay a price later in frustration.

How many times will you change a filter before you are sorry you did not treat the tank?

Hope it works out for you though.

Happy Holidays!

Daman858 · #8 12-16-2010, 10:02 PM

I will tell you this as a guy who lives on the ocean and spends more time in boats than in cars, Startron is not a rip off by any stretch of the imagination. One ounce of it treats 32 gallons of diesel fuel. So an 8 oz. bottle will treat about 250 gallons of diesel fuel. Not bad for 12 bucks. My friends and neighbors make their living in fishing and shrimp boats and they swear by the stuff.

layback40 · #9 12-17-2010, 01:04 AM

paddo,
It sounds like you want to reinvent the wheel !!
If you manage to get rid of the infection, unless you change your fuel supply it will be back soon. May I suggest you have a talk to an engineer or industrial chemist at one of the fuel companies or refineries.
It would be easier to just hit the search button on here. You will overwhelmed by the number of threads by members that have had exactly the same problem as you in the past.
There are plenty of pics of your problem & basically 1 solution.

jcciem,
Do you have some information to support you claim?
The black gunk is normally in the bottom of the tank. I have cleaned cup fulls out of the tanks of my earth moving equipment in years gone by.
It is particulate & it has little to do with water. Its just an uncontrolled infection.

paddo · #10 12-17-2010, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daman858

I will tell you this as a guy who lives on the ocean and spends more time in boats than in cars, Startron is not a rip off by any stretch of the imagination. One ounce of it treats 32 gallons of diesel fuel. So an 8 oz. bottle will treat about 250 gallons of diesel fuel. Not bad for 12 bucks. My friends and neighbors make their living in fishing and shrimp boats and they swear by the stuff.

If I can get it for $12 that's fine, seems to be about $35 online eg ebay. Can you advise where to buy it?

Even at $12 it's prob a rip-off since apparently there's only about .5% ingredients that aren't just "naphtha" which is just light petroleum distillate, but they have a right to make a bit of dough if it's a useful product - looking at it from a utility point of view like you are doing, instead of a profit margin point of view, it's a bargain.

layback40 · #11 12-17-2010, 01:29 AM

paddo,
Like most, you probably use deodorant, vinegar, and many other domestic products. They are all mainly water or some other filler.
Probably if they tried to sell antimicrobial for diesel as a stronger mix it would be too dangerous, a bio hazard. it would also be too hard to add the correct amount to your fuel. When you are brought to your knees by continual bugs in your fuel, maybe common sense will prevail.
All you achieve by berrying you head in the sand so as not to listen to others, is a mouth full of sand.
You do realize that your primary filter contains less than 2c worth of materials but how many $$ do you pay for it??

paddo · #12 12-17-2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daman858

I will tell you this as a guy who lives on the ocean and spends more time in boats than in cars, Startron is not a rip off by any stretch of the imagination. One ounce of it treats 32 gallons of diesel fuel. So an 8 oz. bottle will treat about 250 gallons of diesel fuel. Not bad for 12 bucks. My friends and neighbors make their living in fishing and shrimp boats and they swear by the stuff.

Are you talking about the startron "diesel additive"? That seems to be a lot cheaper and available in 8 oz, but some say you have to get the more pricey startron tank cleaner, seems to be min 1/2 gallon.

whunter · #13 12-17-2010, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddo

Today I traced my air-in-diesel problem to the inline prefilter, clogged with an almost black slime - haven't seen it before but surely must be tank infection?
I remember seeing in an old merc diesel user's manual that you can put up to 15% (or was it 10%) gasoline in the tank in winter. No longer recommended because of risk of explosion I believe, but suggests it will not harm the motor.
As far as I know gasoline does not support this type of growth, so hopefully that will kill it off.
Searching the posts I see startron tank cleaner recommended so that will be the next option if above fails. Actually I could also try adding about 15% veg oil, since I just read that does not support growth either (surprisingly - if I was a bug I'd much prefer veg oil over diesel).

compress ignite · #14 12-17-2010, 03:00 AM

Startron (8Oz.) @ West Marine

cessna5354 · #15 12-17-2010, 04:37 AM

Paddo,

If strapped for cash, do as I did, drain & remove the tank. Clean it, dry it, and reinstall. Blow out all lines & replace filters. Purchase fuel from large/frequent dealers(truck stops, etc). I live at the on a barrier island and never fill up with local diesel pumps.

If you are in philly area and need a hand, I have a heated garage and will assist if you wish. Refrig w/beer included....