Cleaning out a diesel spin on filter - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

otto huber · #1 07-23-2006, 09:44 PM

Hello,

My spin on fuel filter clogged up on me the other day after just about 750 miles on it. I'm running my '79 240D on a 50/50 mix of filtered(5 micron) WVO and ASTM spec biodiesel through a 24 plate Kaori heat exchanger which works very well. I believe that the filter clogged because I filtered my WVO hot. I'll try filtering cold next time around.
The question is this : Would it be safe for me to get a little more life out of my filters by rinsing them out with some gasoline and then letting some veggie oil soak into the filter for a day or two before reinstalling?

Thanks,

Otto

TheDon · #2 07-23-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otto huber

Would it be safe for me to get a little more life out of my filters by rinsing them out with some gasoline and then letting some veggie oil soak into the filter for a day or two before reinstalling?

Thanks,

Otto

nope.. and you have to change the clear inline filter if its clogged... if im wrong someone will tell you so

Dale240D · #3 07-23-2006, 09:52 PM

dude, why risk it. do you know how cheap a filter is compared to an injection pump? what's your first inline filter look like? The simplest thing you can do to keep these cars happy is to change the filters often.
How long have you been running this setup? Biodiesel REALLY loosens up the years of crud in a tank. If you haven't done it yet, drop your tank, clean it and put new filters on you car.

Dale
1983 240D

dkveuro · #4 07-23-2006, 10:23 PM

Why not try a multi filter set up ?
With two inline or more ?

There are some kits available here too, for the sensitive later injection systems.
One is ........Davis Enterprises.

Hang on...I'll look it up for you.........

http://www.fryerpower.com/store/index.html

.

greasybenz · #5 07-23-2006, 10:30 PM

Replace the spin on with a new one and replace the inline with one of these.
the local auto parts store should have generic ones or fram makes alot of different sizes. They are 10micron filters and give more life out of your spin on.

i love these little filters because they tend to trap those tiny seasoning particles my wvo filtration system seems to miss.

http://aevcenter.com/cart/product.php?id=2051

Old300D · #6 07-24-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasybenz

Replace the spin on with a new one and replace the inline with one of these.
the local auto parts store should have generic ones or fram makes alot of different sizes. They are 10micron filters and give more life out of your spin on.

i love these little filters because they tend to trap those tiny seasoning particles my wvo filtration system seems to miss.

http://aevcenter.com/cart/product.php?id=2051

I use the clear glass filter with replacement elements, found in the "Bling" section at AutoZone. Replacement elements are $2.00 each, and they withstand biodiesel well. Lately mine has been picking up black particles, presumably from the disintegrating cigar hose.

biopete · #7 07-24-2006, 01:14 PM

My firend and i have been doing 50 to 75 % WVO and the rest B99. Started about 3 months ago. First, the filters clogged up pretty fast. But Biodiesel does this to these old benzs for sure. So I change both after a month. Then it happend a month later. I just took out the clear one, blew it out real good, put it back on. been driving 90mph for a month now with no filter problems. As regular maintenance, I plan to change my spin on every 5K miles with this setup. The same time i change my fully synthetic oil. Man, that stuff is great. It's just like going from diesel to wvo or biodiesel, that smooth running difference makes you very happy.

Old300D · #8 07-24-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biopete

My firend and i have been doing 50 to 75 % WVO and the rest B99. Started about 3 months ago. First, the filters clogged up pretty fast. But Biodiesel does this to these old benzs for sure. So I change both after a month. Then it happend a month later. I just took out the clear one, blew it out real good, put it back on. been driving 90mph for a month now with no filter problems. As regular maintenance, I plan to change my spin on every 5K miles with this setup. The same time i change my fully synthetic oil. Man, that stuff is great. It's just like going from diesel to wvo or biodiesel, that smooth running difference makes you very happy.

A spin-on should last a long time. The idea is to filter your fuel before it goes in your tank so your spin-on does not clog while you motor along.

I filter my biodiesel to 1 micron, and it's never plugged a filter since I replaced my fuel hoses with Viton. 20,000 miles so far.