i was changing my fuel filters this am (77 240d ) all the fuel came out black. the pre filter had black specks which would disintegratee when touched. this car is new to me with numerous other issues. is this the dreaded algea problem?

thanks john m

Sounds like it. I had so-so luck with Diesel Doctor. Clears up but returns after a few weeks. Someone recommended Biopor or something like that.

Just what the heck does algae find appetizing in Diesel fuel?

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

A few black spots ain't so bad, I had strings of algae in my tank.

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83 240D four bagger stick diesel 276K

Sounds like algae to me. My father turned me on to BioGuard, made by Valvtect. He uses it in his trawler with great success. It's easy to get and only takes 1/2oz per tankful after an initial 1oz treatment. Not only does it kill algae and bacteria, but it also renders them able to be burned up and clears them out. See link below.

BioGuard

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Madsen

I just went through a month of hell with the very same problem. I had the same condition, tiny black specs clogging my filters and injectors. My '79 300D ran terrible and loud. I thought it best to kill them. This decision was both correct and NOT correct. I killed them alright (forget what I used) and thought the problem was solved. But things got suddenly much worse.

The massive die-off caused the filters (easily changed) and the injectors (not easily cleaned) to become more clogged than prior to my committing mass biocide on the little bugs. My teeth would rattle when idling.

I ended up siphoning the tank and pulling and cleaning the strainer. (Not too hard). Than I had to go through two "cleaning" applications of Redline Diesel Catalyst (12 ozs. per 20 gallons) to get the injectors back to normal again.

Can't find Diesel Purge in NJ, if I could I would have used it. Things are fine now. Good luck.

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

Why does the BioGuard bottle have two caps on top?

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

One cap goes to the "main chamber" so that, if you want, you can pour the whole thing in. The other goes to a small sub-chamber that's connected by a tube (you can see it on the left) to the main chamber. If you squeeze on the main chamber, you can get some of the stuff to go through into the sub-chamber. THe subchamber is marked, allowing you to measure it out.