HELP contaminated fuel (disaster?) $#%!& - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rs899 · #46 06-20-2011, 06:44 AM

Not sure how hard it is to do on a TD, but I would really think hard about pulling the tank. You can get it a lot cleaner if you can shake it around, and inspect any damage that it might have caused.

vstech · #47 06-20-2011, 09:04 AM

Kerry,
where do you want me to send a fuel tank to?
is it a 123 or a 124?

kerry · #48 06-20-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Kerry,
where do you want me to send a fuel tank to?
is it a 123 or a 124?

It's a 123. Do you have a tank? I figured finding another tank would be virtually impossible.

vstech · #49 06-20-2011, 10:10 AM

there is also a vapor tank on those... I have a parts wagon or two...

layback40 · #50 06-20-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Kerry,
where do you want me to send a fuel tank to?
is it a 123 or a 124?

The best possible solution !!!!!

kerry · #51 06-20-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

there is also a vapor tank on those... I have a parts wagon or two...

If you do have a tank for a 123, I'd be willing to buy it. I've had the lines on the vapor tank clamped off as I've been working on it.

psaboic · #52 06-20-2011, 11:35 AM

VSTECH to the rescue!!!

benhogan · #53 06-20-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

VSTECH to the rescue!!!

YES! and he lives in my state too!

kerry · #54 06-20-2011, 03:28 PM

More info. Neighbor contacted other people in the company where the unknown substance was used and now he's not sure it was potassium hydroxide. It might have been an alternative electrolyte used in their attempts to produce hydrogen gas.

kerry · #55 06-20-2011, 05:16 PM

i've got the fuel sender out now and could immediately see why I was getting contaminated fuel even after draining the tank via the strainer and adding fresh diesel. The strainer/second tank compartment sits about 5/8" above the bottom of the tank. So if you have a fluid in the tank heavier than diesel it will sink to this lower portion of the tank and sit there. So, no matter why you do, if the drain the tank and add fresh fuel, that fuel will 'mix' with the crap on the bottom as the diesel sloshes around and contaminate the diesel. I assume it is designed this way to allow for a small quanity of water to sit in the tank and not get drawn into the fuel system. So, if I can clean out this pocket of crappy ****, I might be able to get a functional tank again. I'm thinking of sticky rags down thru the sender hole and mopping it up.

Here's a more radical and potentially dangerous solution--has anyone every shop vac'd a combination of diesel fuel/potassium hydroxide/whatever????

Ok--got a plan. I'll get a couple of gallon container with a lid. hook the shop vac suction into the lid extending just an inch or so into the container. Then, hook another line into the container extending down a few more inches but not to the bottom. With the lid tight, I should get suction from the second hose and any liquid sucked up should end up in the container and not in the shop vac.

funola · #56 06-20-2011, 05:52 PM

I'd fill the tqnk with a garden hose via the sender opening, then siphon it all out with a garden hose. Do that as many times as necessary to get it diluted and cleaned out The last 2 tanks use hot water, then shove a Sham-Wow in there to mop up the water, then put a 60 Watt Chandelier bulb in there till it's dry.

Orv · #57 06-20-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Ok--got a plan. I'll get a couple of gallon container with a lid. hook the shop vac suction into the lid extending just an inch or so into the container. Then, hook another line into the container extending down a few more inches but not to the bottom. With the lid tight, I should get suction from the second hose and any liquid sucked up should end up in the container and not in the shop vac.

Should work in theory, but do not try this if the liquid produces any flammable vapors. The vapors will be drawn into the shop vac and create an explosion hazard.

funola · #58 06-20-2011, 05:58 PM

The bigger the diameter of the hose, the faster it will siphon. I estimate you can empty the tank in 2 minutes with a 3/4" heater hose. Use your lungs and a clear vinyl line for a siphon so you can see where the water is and not take a drink.

kerry · #59 06-20-2011, 06:10 PM

The vacuum device worked perfectly. Sucked up about 2 cups of pure crap from the bottom of the tank. Bottom of the tank is pretty dry now. Now I need to consider whether or not to clean with water, alcohol etc.
I used 5/16" fuel hose for the suction end of the system, so I can use it to suck diesel or whatever thru the feed and return lines from the engine compartment to clean out any residual nastiness from those lines.
I wish I'd have thought of this suction system from the start.

kerry · #60 06-20-2011, 06:29 PM

I put the suction tool on the feed and return lines in the engine compartment. I got about a half cup of foamy gray liquid/crap total out of both lines.