Hello all, I am the new owner of an '80 300D automatic sedan, with only 225KM (135K Mi.) on the clock but with need of Panel n Paint to restore the body.
The previous owner commented that the fuel gauge was flickering below 1/2 tank. This was evident when I drove the car.
A friend suggested using biodiesel (B100) to see if it fixed the problem.
I have used 3/4 of the first tank of biodiesel and the gauge reading is steady.
If this is of use to any of you, feel free to spread the word.

I am considering adding a second fuel tank in the Trunk and a second filler flap, to allow me to use used vegetable oil as a fuel in this vehicle. This would be a heated tank with heated fuel delivery and return lines and a heated filter, with the fuel selection and return lines switched by solenoid valve.

Apart from the reduction in trunk space and the mounting issues, does anyone know of any other issues which may impact on this project

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

Must have been just a little bit dirty, mine was doing the same I took it out and cleaned it but had no success with that and ended up just ordering one for $59.

I don't know how needed a heated filter would be if you heat the line enough, some people heat only the line which would be easier but I just can't see the WVO in the tank wanting to flow out very well without it being warmed a little bit. How do you plan on adding a second flapper?

If it is all setup and filtered properly there shouldn't be any problems.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Hello Tony,

You should have no problems running vegetable oil from a heated tank. I've done it for 2 years now in my '84 300D without any problems. Only issue is making sure you've filtered the oil well before putting it in the tank - otherwise you'll be changing filters alot - bit of a pain but not critical as you can always switch back to the stock tank. I've made a heated filter for the veg oil by wrapping copper tubing around a metal filter ('85 Golf diesel fuel filter) and routing coolant through the tubing. Tube is connected to the heater hose that carries coolant to the tank in trunk (and has the poly veg oil fuel line inside of it). Only need it because temps get well below freezing. You might not need it in and round Perth. You'll be pleased with how well the car runs on veg oil or waste veg oil. Cheers! Let me know if you want some photos of the veg oil set up.
fred

I have been using WVO in my Mazda Capella for 3 years, using mainly heavily used Canola oil from a Fish & Chip shop.
I prefilter to 5 micron and plan to use an electric lift pump for the WVO, to ensure that sufficient veg-oil arrives at the IP.

The heated fuel filter was to ensure that any solidified oil is melted to allow the hot oil to flow. I suppose that a coolant, or electrical, heater between the WVO filter and the solenoid valve would be another option.

The return line solenoid valve is an interesting problem, with the Injectors, IP and filter returns connected together at the Filter.

I plan to maintain the existing return to diesel tank from the Fuel filter, and switch the Injector and IP returns to the appropriate fuel tank return line.

I know of 2 MB 300TD's running on tallow (beef fat), but they use only a clear plastic fuel filter and the fat in that seems to melt quickly once the engine warms up. He had the engine overhauled last year and the mechanic reported lower than normal carbon presence in the combustion chambers.
I have had some polymerisation fo the canola oil in the past, causing filter clogging, co it may be best for me to use tallow in preference.

__________________
Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

Hey Tony. Welcome to the board. Just saw your name in the list of who's online.

Jeepn Moggin Jessup

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"If anyone knows other lessons I need to learn, please tell me. I'm tired of learning them the hard way".
by JerryBro

The Glow Plug Wait: This waiting period is a moment of silence to pay honor to Rudolph Diesel. The longer you own your diesel the more honor you will give him". by SD Blue

My normal daily life; either SNAFUed- Situation Normal... All Fouled Up, or FUBARed- Fouled Up Beyond All Repair

62 UNIMOG Camper w/617 Turbo, 85 300SD daily driver- both powered by blended UCO fuels

Didn't you post, under this Nic, on the Infopp forum before using the JMJ Nic?

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

I thought that name looked awful familiar for a couple posts here, I've only posted on the infopop forum a couple times I mainly just spectate.

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

It is good to know people in the forum.
BTW, the 300D has clogged 3 $2 fuel filters with gunk from the fuel tank since putting the biodiesel in. I am now on the second tank of Biodiesel.
Anyone hazard a guess how many tanks of biodiesel it takes to clean out the gunk on a 1980, 225000km 300D?

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

That depends entirely on the car. 2 tanks of B100 didn't clog a single filter on my 80 240D. The same filters have gone another 5K miles on B20.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
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