1984 300D: Long story short: just noticed fuel leaking from rubber hose connected to tank (near passenger side rear wheel). Was a trail of oil (running straight WVO with inline heater, injection line heaters, 12v. pump, etc...) as I pulled into parking lot. Tank was full, didn't seem to experience significant fuel loss. Car sitting for a day now, a small puddle/stain, with very slow drip. Why would this be happening?
Have been experiencing terrible power loss, was getting read to remove tank screen to check, that's how I noticed leak.
On power loss: pretty bad, on freeway commut to work, after about 40 minutes of driving fine, gets slower and slower, sometimes downt o 40mpg and worse. If I change fule filter and add some ATF, it goes fine again for another day, then all starts over. Since changing fuel filter 3 times in one week and having injectors cleaned, figuring it's got to be the tank, even though the guy who helped with my conversion said he cleaned tank screen and put a few larger holes in it to accomodate WVO (and this was just a few months ago.)
HOw do I interpret leaking fuel from hose?
I've read all the threads on tank screen, filters, algae, etc...
Thanks for any and all thoughts.

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1982 300TD, 265k
1984 300D, 282k

The only possible interpretation here I believe is the fuel leaks out with gravity and the weight of fuel. Air will leak in there when under suction. As for why the temporary relief by changing fuel filters is almost beyond me. Only thing that occurs to me is with a brand new filter it is slightly less obstructive and the available lift pump vacuum pull on the fuel greater. Perhaps that influences the amount of air intake in some way on that hose or amount of fuel available. At least changing the hose should get rid of your problem. Did you notice air going through your pre filter? Ocasionally with cars things do not always make perfect sense.If an explanation is really important most of the time it can eventually be clarified. That sometimes takes a lot longer than just locating the problem and repairing it. I prefer to get a clear picture of the real dynamics of a problem usually myself if possible.

Your in tank screen is clogging. All of the junk built up over the years is being dissolved and set free. The larger stuff is clogging your in tank screen. The middle sized stuff is clogging your clear primary filter. The smaller stuff is clogging your spin on secondary filter.

The effects of the clogging are cumulitive. You are temporarily fixing the problem by changing out the easy to get to filters.

Also, the WVO is attacking your o-ring on the in tank screen and is probably attacking the other rubber hoses in your fuel system.

1- Buy some Startron fuel tank cleaner from West marine. Apply at double the recommended does rate on your first tank. Follow the recommended rate from there on out. Eventually your tank will be sparkling clean. The enzymes in it eat the junk in the tank and allow it to pass through the filters to be burned.

2- Change/clean your in tank screen.

3- Replace your o-ring for your in tank screen with a viton one. I have viton o-rings on my website, http://www.fryerpower.com/store/page11.html.

4- Replace the o-rings on your fuel filter with viton ones. I have them also.

5- Keep an eye on the injector return lines. Eventually they will start looking wet and leak. The MB ones will not stand up to biodiesel/WVO. Replace them when they leak. I have those also.

6- Keep an eye on the other fuel lines in the engine compartment. When they leak replace them. My car had new lines in there already. Once they start leaking I will spec out viton lines and replace them. Then I will sell those lines also.

7- Replace that little rubber line from the tank to the metal line. I have not done this yet so I don't have them for sale in viton.

I was going through a spin on filter every 500 miles until I started using startron. Either I added it right as the tank got clean or it really works. Take your pick. I'm still adding it when I fuel up at home.

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

thanks. i wondered about the Startron from reading other threads, sounds like i should try it once i clean tank screen again. mechanic says replace whole tank, but if WVO tends to loosen tank crud, then it would make sense that even though he cleaned it once, as soon as I started using WVO, it needs it again.
wierdly pre-filter has stayed clear of crud this whole time (i put in a new one anyway to be safe). noticed this morning it's also leaking from what I THINK is the vent valve? small rubber thing under trunk compartment (uner car). I wish i had a good picture of the sedan tank. the tank on my wagon is easy to see, but the sedan tank doesn't seem so straightforward (without a lift).
thanks again, will replace hoses and rings as a start, clean tank screen, try Startron.

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1982 300TD, 265k
1984 300D, 282k

Start the Startron immediately.

It will help break up the junk on the screen. I have been running with the same dirty screen for a couple of months now. I just got the viton in tank screen o-rings in a week or so ago. I've been sick so I have not changed mine out yet. The Startron made all the difference in the world on making my filters last longer. I have 2,000 miles on my current spin on filter. The only thing I have done since I was going through filters every 500 miles was add the Startron.

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

jadavis,
have you used StarTron with WVO (i use SVO, straight veggie oil). just wondering if it matters what type of fuel the StarTron is interacting with.
thanks. also, any ideas where to get it in LA? haev to go to coast for boating supply? or order online? would an autoparts store carry it you think?

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1982 300TD, 265k
1984 300D, 282k

Star-Tron has two formulations. One made for gasoline and one made for diesel. I have been using the diesel variety with my WVO blend since the get go. I buy it at West Marine. You may be able to order directly from the manufacturer in Florida. Ft. Lauderdale area, I think.

If you can't find it locally and cannot find a web-address, P.M. me and I'll send you the contact info off of the bottle.

I called them and had a long discussion with an engineer there about using the product with WVO. He was very patient and helpful. He sure sold me on the product.

I use the Startron tank cleaner. I throw it into my jugs of WVO and Biodiesel ater they have gone through the final filter. That way I can pour straight from my 5 gallon storage jugs into my tank and not worry about it.

I mail ordered it from West Marine.

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.