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  #16  
Old 07-05-2014, 12:25 AM
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Hmm

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yumeko-chan View Post
Could this just be due to a bad batch of diesel? The car was fine until I topped off the tank over the weekend. First time it's happened to me if it is.
These two threads should have all the data you need.

Warning ALL Diesel Owners
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/309367-warning-all-diesel-owners.html#post2841158

Bad smelling fuel, what to do
bad smelling fuel, Gag, gasp, choke

.

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  #17  
Old 07-05-2014, 11:45 AM
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Switched out my clear filter, primed it, and started up the engine. Seems to be running better but not at 100% yet. I'll try pouring in some StarTron and switch out my spin-on filter as well to see if that helps.
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  #18  
Old 07-05-2014, 01:39 PM
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Update: just changing the clear filter didn't change anything. Dumped half a bottle of Diesel Kleen into the tank, seems to make a tiny bit of difference. Can't find the diesel version of StarTron for the life of me, and the marine places are closed for the holiday weekend so I can't try there. Bah. Clear filter is dirty again but at least is less black than the old one was. Have not changed the spin-on filter yet.

I'm reading about this trick where you add a bit of 2-stroke oil to the tank, but which kind to use?
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  #19  
Old 07-05-2014, 02:28 PM
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Startron and other makes of Biocide are most often found at Stores that sell stuff for Boating and sell Stuff for the Big Rig Diesels.

When I did a Autozone Search for Starton it showed up at only one of 5 Stores. And, it was a store close to the Harbor.
Also Startron makes more than one product so you need to be sure you get the correct one.

Stuff can grow in the Diesel Fuel and the Startron has an Enzyme that is supposed to break that stuff up small enough that in passes through your Fuel Sysetm without plugging up your Fuel Filter.

In practice as the stuff works you still may need to replace Filters.
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  #20  
Old 07-05-2014, 10:43 PM
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I use walmart brand 2-stroke oil.
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  #21  
Old 07-06-2014, 12:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toomany MBZ View Post
I use walmart brand 2-stroke oil.
Does that do the same job a Biocide does to kill stuff groing in the Fuel System?
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  #22  
Old 07-06-2014, 12:50 AM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yumeko-chan View Post
Update: just changing the clear filter didn't change anything. Dumped half a bottle of Diesel Kleen into the tank, seems to make a tiny bit of difference. Can't find the diesel version of StarTron for the life of me, and the marine places are closed for the holiday weekend so I can't try there. Bah. Clear filter is dirty again but at least is less black than the old one was. Have not changed the spin-on filter yet.

I'm reading about this trick where you add a bit of 2-stroke oil to the tank, but which kind to use?
I have used many 2-stroke oils made since the 1940's, with no issue.

There is no secret, just personal preference on some brands.

IMO: For your application there is little variation from cheapest to the most expensive.

Much of my supply in the past ten years, has come from auction, estate sale, business closing, friends giving me jugs of personal old stock, etc.

Often the cetane rating of the very old oil is higher than current production.

.
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Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
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Fleet Durability
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  #23  
Old 07-06-2014, 11:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel911 View Post
Does that do the same job a Biocide does to kill stuff groing in the Fuel System?
No, the two stroke oil is a lubricant, not a biocide.
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  #24  
Old 07-07-2014, 01:07 AM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel911 View Post
Does that do the same job a Biocide does to kill stuff going in the Fuel System?
2cycle oil is to boost the cetane rating of diesel = makes it burn better.
Today it is rare for me to see random spot check diesel fuel test results above 25 - 29 cetane, and not surprising that many come back 18 - 24 cetane.
I never see 40 cetane outside the auto maker or US government certification test laboratories.

Warning ALL Diesel Owners
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/309367-warning-all-diesel-owners.html#post2841158

Bad smelling fuel, what to do
bad smelling fuel, Gag, gasp, choke



Here is need to know education data on biocide for members.

Algae/Fungus fixation...
Algae/Fungus fixation... - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Biobor, what is it, why do I need it???
Biobor, what is it, why do I need it??? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Filters, Fungus, Biocide, etc.
Filters, Fungus, Biocide, etc. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Algae Clogged Filter Pic StarTron WORKS !
Algae Clogged Filter Pic StarTron WORKS ! - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Diesel filters, no tank strainers please.
Diesel filters, no tank strainers please. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Tank Screen

.
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Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

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1983 300D
1984 190D
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2002 Honda Civic

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  #25  
Old 07-07-2014, 08:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whunter View Post
2cycle oil is to boost the cetane rating of diesel = makes it burn better.
Today it is rare for me to see random spot check diesel fuel test results above 25 - 29 cetane, and not surprising that many come back 18 - 24 cetane.
I never see 40 cetane outside the auto maker or US government certification test laboratories.
How are you testing the cetane? Sample kit sent to lab? Have you done the same with a sample that contains 2cycle oil, and what level cetane does that have?
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  #26  
Old 07-07-2014, 08:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yumeko-chan View Post
Update: just changing the clear filter didn't change anything. Dumped half a bottle of Diesel Kleen into the tank, seems to make a tiny bit of difference. Can't find the diesel version of StarTron for the life of me, and the marine places are closed for the holiday weekend so I can't try there. Bah. Clear filter is dirty again but at least is less black than the old one was. Have not changed the spin-on filter yet.

I'm reading about this trick where you add a bit of 2-stroke oil to the tank, but which kind to use?
The problem may be that you have water at the bottom of your fuel tank (diesel fuel floats on water). The microbes live in the water, and eat the fuel at the interface between water and fuel. When they die, the bodies are expelled from the colony into the fuel, and flow out of the tank into your filters.

You need to eliminate the water (their home) to kill the colony. Adding a quart of 93% or higher alcohol to the fuel tank will absorb the water, kill the microbes, and then you get a big mass of dead microbes flowing out of the tank and clogging your filters.

Get a few extra filters (both spin-on and clear) and keep the filters and the tools needed to change them (and a few rags and maybe some disposable latex gloves) in the car. Also keep a small container of clean diesel fuel to fill the new spin-on filter prior to installation, which reduces the priming time.
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'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
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  #27  
Old 07-07-2014, 09:10 AM
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Yumeko-chan, advice you're getting here about critters crudding up your system are spot on...

I was experiencing similar symptoms in our '83; fuel starvation became bad enough that car would just plain die on hills, at highway speeds...

I wound up dropping/cleaning the tank, replacing the tank screen, both tank hoses, the entire fuel line - which was nearly completely rusted through - etc. Apart from the crud which had accumulated in the tank, the tank screen was nearly completely occluded by 'bio-gunk'. Fuel sending unit wasn't performing reliably either.

All in all - though a big, messy job - I feel it was a good investment in maintenance - I'm preparing the car for her next 30 years. Your car is about the same age...
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  #28  
Old 07-07-2014, 01:19 PM
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If you have not changed the main fuel filter I would do so.
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  #29  
Old 09-24-2014, 04:27 PM
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Update on the Pook, the short version:

Things never got better, despite changing out the fuel filters several times and my husband changing the oil. Couldn't even get the car up the hill near my house this morning, so I took it to Salim's Silver Star, which is a place in town that only deals in fixing Mercedes. Left it there and Salim took me home so he could take a look at it. Just got a call a few minutes ago. The exact words from the lady at the desk: "He says the engine is shot."

I know no details other than that. I'll know more once I get a chance to go pick it up.
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  #30  
Old 09-24-2014, 05:17 PM
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If he's telling you the engine is shot, has he backed that up with evidence? IE, compression test, other...?

Fuel tank is terribly gunked up with algae/bacterial flocculants is a much more likely diagnosis to test for, before accepting 'engine is shot'. Drop the tank screen, clean out the tank, be sure fuel lines are clear, etc... My bet is you'll find a tank screen nearly covered in black gunk. Replacement fuel filters will do little to improve this.

ALL of your findings are consistent with fuel starvation. You are getting good advice here from others on the thread. I just did the above job - well, last year - and all of the car's symptoms, exactly the same you've described, are gone.

Runs like new. Well, as new as a 32-yr old Mercedes diesel can feel. Which is almost as good as new.

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'68 Triumph TR 250 - The only car I ever loved more than the Mercedes; who needs electricity, anyway? - Damn, why did I sell it?!
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