Thank you so very much for all the help!
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Originally Posted by Maxbumpo
Did the idle speed change from before your trip? Sounds like you have it properly adjusted, but I'm suspicious that the muddy drive may have thrown mud up into throttle linkage which is causing some binding.
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Idle speed has needed to be checked since I was in Oregon and Tram added a longer fuel rod. I didn't notice as most trips engine really doesn't get good and hot; only drive five miles and 15 minutes to 20 miles and 30 minutes.
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Originally Posted by Maxbumpo
Yes, all those connections need to be tight, using the proper fuel-type hose clamps. Diesel fuel glows under a black light, so once you think you've fixed the leaks, clean off all the areas that have fuel, then use a black light to check for leaks while the engine is running and after you have driven for a bit.
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That is nifty! I used to have a black light, but shouldn't be hard to find.
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Originally Posted by Maxbumpo
If you have some microbial growth, you need to get the proper "bug killer" to dose the fuel tank. The fungus lives in the water in the bottom of the tank, and eats the fuel. The colony can get quite large, and if too big the best course of action is to get the tank cleaned. Start simple/easy/cheap, get Biobor (or similar) from a marine goods store (West Marine is a national chain) and follow the directions to dose the tank.
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I bought and treated the tank in summer. Then I drained the tank to check the screen as was having issues, which turned out to be the vent.
For this treatment, not only did I use the anti-algae, but fuel treatment that is to help with contamination.
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Originally Posted by Maxbumpo
The fungus will die from the Biobor and may clog your fuel filters several times as they are flushed out of the tank. You probably should carry at least two sets of filters with you (and the tools and rags to change them), and be prepared to change filters on the side of the road.
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Ah, so could be done and over with. Well, I am sure since maintenance dosage is one to two ounces, wouldn't hurt to do that until the fuel is clear.
I carry spares and tools at all times. It is a practice I have done since I owned a vehicle, especially older ones. I carry in the bag one main filter and at least several pre-filters. This last trip was so fast and couldn't see how bad the filter was until holding to the light. As I said, no longer going to use these opaque filters.
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Originally Posted by Maxbumpo
There should be two fuel lines in the engine compartment, and they should both attach to fuel tank connections at roughly the same area. The vent line is short, only visible under the car at the fuel tank, and has a little cone shaped end. Mud-dauber wasps can build a nest inside and clog it up, or maybe driving on muddy roads???
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I am sorry, behind the spare tire. The vent tank has three lines, with two running to the tank and now that I look in the daylight, one running to an unknown, forward part of the tank bay.
My Mercedes resides in a garage, and much doubt wasps, especially since I never seen any here. Further, this mud bathing was the first time. The vent has been a issue for at least nine months, if not over a year or more.
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Originally Posted by Maxbumpo
Not sure what you've got in mind here. The biobor is added via the fuel fill opening. No need to add lines anywhere to treat the fuel tank, unless you plan to pump all the fuel out, run it through an external filter to clean as much of the dead fungus at once as you can (to prevent road-side filter changes). That would be rather a pain to set up, but possible.
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I mean to clear the metal vent lines, not the feed lines.
I add additives to the tank with a funnel.