Preps for first batch of B100 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PanzerSD · #1 02-27-2007, 01:44 PM

Going to be making B100 again soon, for use this time...before I run my first tank, should I clean the tank out and replace all the lines to save myself the trouble of many filter changes down the road? what's the fastest/most effective way to clean my fuel tank? is it made of Aluminum?

JackG · #2 02-27-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanzerSD

Going to be making B100 again soon, for use this time...before I run my first tank, should I clean the tank out and replace all the lines to save myself the trouble of many filter changes down the road? what's the fastest/most effective way to clean my fuel tank? is it made of Aluminum?

the fasted most effective way to clean a tank is with biodiesel
you can change filters now if you want, but will still be changing frequently till the system is cleaned out.....no getting around that

justinperkins · #3 02-27-2007, 02:22 PM

Just put it in.

There is a misconception that you need to "prepare" your vehicle for biodiesel. It needs to end.

Fix fuel leaks as you discover them and replace your fuel filters more regularly for the first few tanks.

vstech · #4 02-27-2007, 02:53 PM

by all means replace the various hard to get fuel lines if they are original. DieselGiant has a great write up on where they all are, and how to change them.
not just due to the b100 usage, but to keep from losing any fuel at all to leakage.
John

PanzerSD · #5 02-27-2007, 06:51 PM

I just thought that if I cleaned out the crap that the B100 is going to clean before I use it, (start with a B100 compatible system from the get go) that I could reduce or eliminate the need to change the filters quite so regularly, unless there's additional crap in the hard lines that is going to come loose anyway..but that in itself should be minimal...

benzforlife · #6 02-27-2007, 07:02 PM

u could remove ur tank and steam it, but ur better just saving yourself the frystration and just pouring the stuff in, if ur fuel lines are original it migh be a good idea to swap them with new rubber, but that there not going to disenegrate after running 10 gallons of B100.

justinperkins · #7 02-27-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanzerSD

I just thought that if I cleaned out the crap that the B100 is going to clean before I use it, (start with a B100 compatible system from the get go) that I could reduce or eliminate the need to change the filters quite so regularly, unless there's additional crap in the hard lines that is going to come loose anyway..but that in itself should be minimal...

Unless your car was sitting for a few years somewhere, there is no advantage to cleaning your tank over just treating biod as a normal fuel.

PanzerSD · #8 02-27-2007, 07:18 PM

Ok...

GRIESL · #9 02-27-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanzerSD

Going to be making B100 again soon, for use this time...before I run my first tank, should I clean the tank out and replace all the lines to save myself the trouble of many filter changes down the road? what's the fastest/most effective way to clean my fuel tank? is it made of Aluminum?

This is just me, but.... if I had to do it all over again....

I would remove the tank and have it cleaned. I don't know the details of who does that sort of thing or how much it costs, but I would do it if I had it to do over again. It took about five months of constant fuel filter changing, tank strainer cleaning to get the gunk out of the system. I mean like in a suit and tie, thirty miles from home under the hood with a screwdriver and new filter in my hand and emergng smelling like corn oil. Maybe my car had more gunk than the usual diesel. Maybe I introduced my b100 too quickly. Who knows? I do know that the bio really knocked it loose, though. Good luck!

probear · #10 02-27-2007, 08:32 PM

I got the larger, clear filters instead of the little OEM ones. They are really easy to change and only $4to $5 each. Carry a couple and some gloves. Unless your tank is unusually bad, you will have some warning and also be able to see the filter get clogged.

Oh, after the first two or three prefilters, change the main filter. The main component should look like small black sand.

Bio300TDTdriver · #11 02-27-2007, 11:41 PM

When I started burning biodiesel in my truck. I ran 2 tanks of B20 a tank of B50 and then a tank of B100. Then I changed the filter. I've put about 7,000 miles on since then without any problems.

Chris

PanzerSD · #12 02-28-2007, 12:27 AM

Thanks Guys,

for me, steaming the tank is not a problem, nor is changing the lines.
just wanted to get some input from people who have sucessfully made the switch, and like Griesel said...
"if I had to do it over again." kind of experiences...

vstech · #13 02-28-2007, 08:55 AM

When I started driving the TD, the prefilter was a bit gunky, so I changed it. a few miles later the new one was gunky, so I changed it. when the third one got gunky, I started carrying several in the back, and I installed a fuel oil furnace filter can in front of the prefilter, I ran several tanks that way, now the new prefilter is nice and clean. you may want to install a large capacity gunk filter in front of the prefilter before running b100. I have no access to b100, so I really don't know how it would perform, but my TD had been parked for over a year, and the po didn't have any "service records" so I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
YMMV
John