Fuel Tank Debris & Primary Filter Clogged

[HawaiiBioD]

We recently purchased a 1978 300D, and thanks to all of the knowledgable posts, we have successfully managed to fix most things.

Does anyone know what kind of debris is clogging the primary filter? We change the primary filter about once a week. We have been through two secondary filters, have drained the fuel tank, and changed the fuel lines. Things have been better since we started to add the Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst, but it has still persisted for the last month.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Stretch]

Welcome to the forum HawaiiBioD

You'd have done better posting this in the diesel discussion part of the forum. There's a special sub forum for "alternative fuels". Send a PM to a moderator to get your thread moved to a place where others can help you out. (Send a PM to vstech for example)

From your user name I assume you're pushing chip fat through your engine?

If so perhaps you need to spend a little more time filtering it before putting it in your tank? You are what you eat - that's the same for your car!

[HawaiiBioD]

Hi Army,

Thank you for the quick response, and thank you for the advice, we will try to repost this.

My goal was to run biodiesel, but we have not yet put this through the tank because of the type of debris we are experiencing. The picture is of a filter that has been run on 100% commercial diesel from Chevron with a bit of Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst. This has been going on for about a month.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by HawaiiBioD

Hi Army,

Thank you for the quick response, and thank you for the advice, we will try to repost this.

My goal was to run biodiesel, but we have not yet put this through the tank because of the type of debris we are experiencing. The picture is of a filter that has been run on 100% commercial diesel from Chevron with a bit of Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst. This has been going on for about a month.

OK fair enough.

Perhaps this will help

PeachPartsWiki: 240D Fuel Tank Removal and Cleaning

You guys in warmer climates apparently get stuff growing in your fuel tanks - here it is usually cold enough to freeze the balls off of a brass monkey so nothing like that gets a chance to take hold in a fuel tank.

There's also a fuel strainer at the bottom of the tank. Did you remove that one?

In your first post you say you've replaced the fuel lines - does that include the hard lines?

[HawaiiBioD]

Perfect! We will definitely be using this link. I read in a blog somewhere that to kill the algae, etc. that we would need to clean everything in the system all at one time... We ordered the special socket to remove fuel strainer, definitely wish that I could just park the car in a freezer for the weekend. The microbes from HI probably can't survive much past 30 F. Hmmm...

[Phillytwotank]

sounds like you have a particularly dirty tank.

change the outlet screen and change the fuel cap seal gasket at the same time to prevent future contamination. I would also check the tank vent line for blockage, clear it out with compressed air.

Then just keep riding with an extra filter or two until it gets cleared up.

[HawaiiBioD]

Thank you for the tip!

The strainer was changed, and now she is running like a champ. The debris was backlogged in the tank, according to our local mercedes shop, from some sort of diesel stretching additive. The mileage has decreased, but it is great to have a properly chugging car.

Overall, the Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst has been working to clear-up the fuel. Anyone have other suggestions for biocides?

[toomany MBZ]

The attachment is what the local marina carries.

[HawaiiBioD]

ok, will check it out