I just acquired this 82 240d. It runs fine at 126k. To avoid future fuel problems I bought a tube of Diesel Doctor ($5). The instructions indicate that i should use it for every 10 to 29 gallons. Seems excessive and wasteful if i use a tube at every fill up. What do you guys recommend? could i use something else and still avoid fuel type problems?

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$500 1982 240d owner "Gunter"
125k miles,4 speed manual
crank windows, MB Tex, all original
no a/c, daily driver
Scorecard so far....
$230 Maaco paint job
$27 dimmer switch, $40 shutoff valve, $45 brake MC, $260 calipers, $40 brake hoses, $40 side fender trim, $20 balancing, $109 lifetime alignment, $10 fuel return lines, $115 oil&fuel filters for next 30k miles

Unless you have a problem already you shouldn't need that much. Usually a couple of ounces of diesel additive (Redline or Powerservice are popular) at fill up is enough to keep things pretty clean. Use the whole tube of DD if you have an algae problem. You'll get a sense of that happening by watching your clear inline fuel filter for dark debris. A little bit is OK but if it's bad enough the algae will clog the filter and starve the fuel supply. Just fill up at high volume stations, don't store the car without a full tank of fuel and use it enough so that the fuel doesn't sit in the tank too long (especially in wet weather) and you should be fine. Save the diesel doctor for when you need it.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

rodsob,

Where did you get the Diesel Doctor? I've been looking for any type of algecide and I can't find any in NE PA.

Going to southwest soon, maybe I can find some in a southern state.

P E H

rodsob

You really shouldn't have to add anything on a regular bases. Red Line, Molly Purge and Biobar are all good products but if you dont have a problem, I wouldn't add to the expense of running your car. Allot of those products CLAIM you need them on a regular bases...NOT SO

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I am with Steve on this... they would LOVE for you to use a lot of it.. I only add it when I get a sign in my clear 90 degree inline filter.. so far it has been about once every 9 months....

P E H,
Try a marine supply store. Boaters frequently have an algae/fuel problem. If you venture near the coast on your trip you'll almost certainly find it there.

Stevo,
I don't disagree that regular use of an additive is sometimes (frequently?) unnecessary. To my mind it depends upon the quality of your local fuel supply. In my case I use it both as a cetane boost and also as extra insurance that the IP is getting full and proper lubrication since the fuel sold today is a fair amount different than the fuel sold 30 years ago when these cars were designed (especially in California). I realize that at least part of the IP is lubricated by the engine oil but the extra lubrication the additive provides in the fuel can't help but be of some benefit for reducing IP piston wear. Is it really necessary? That's debatable, but to me it's worth the extra $.50 or so per fillup as insurance.

LRG

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

Greg,
Do you have algae problem on your 240 or is it the tractor?

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

When i got my "79" it had one loud nailing problem that was cleared up by using Pro Tec and Italian tune ups. I kept using it with every fill up for several months then I got cheap,or lazy (or both) and quit. Nothing has changed since weening off it, but I have a can in the trunk if she needs it.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Randy, the 240 is the only one with a clear inline filter... I just close my eyes and hope the tractor keeps going... I know red colored diesel gets algae because I have to power wash my 5 gallon cans once in a while... all sorts of flora growing in them...

It's rare to need an antibiotic unless you allow water to remain in your fuel, unless the weather is warm and unless the car is not used regularly. Bugs essentially "live" in water that's in the fuel (water condenses out of any air in the tank EVERY time the temperature drops below the dew point of the air - good reason to keep the tank FULL or neasr full of fuel when the temps are expected to drop or when the car is NOT being operated daily) and eat the fuel. If you keep the levels of water in the fuel low and actively remove it (by using an antigel or other additive that sequesters water) once or twice a year (I do it in the fall and then whenever I expect temps to go much below zero F) and use clean fuel, there is rarely a problem. I have not had ANY problem with "bugs" in more than 20 years (I've been dieseling for 35).

Farm and marine engines that are not used for long periods should probably be treated, but an automobile that driven regularly, fed clean fuel and maintained shouldn't require it.

Marshall