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#1
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Proper diesel color...
This may sound stupid, but I've never actually seen clean diesel fuel in a clear container so I'm not sure what the color should be...
When I pumped out some of the fuel out of my 300SDL's tank it looked clear in the draining hose, but when it accumulated in the clear plastic bottle container it was almost dark blue - not transparent at all... I've suspected that there may be fungus/algee in the fuel because of the primary (clear) filter, so does this sound like a confirmation!? I'll try to post a pic later today - James
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K |
#2
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To me it looks like it has a greenish hue to it...but I'm colorblind and shades of green/blue are where I struggle the most. It is definitely transparent.
If you can't see through to the other side of the bottle (I'm thinking clear 20 oz pop bottle) then there is something up. When you drained the tank, how did you do it? Siphoned it out or pulled the fuel hose off the tank? If you pulled the fuel hose off take out the tank strainer and inspect it. You should be able to tell if you have a fungus problem by doing that.
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2009 ML320 Bluetec 1985 300CD 1981 300TD Past Mercedes 1979 300TD 1982 300TD 2000 E320 4Matic Wagon 1998 E430 1984 300SD 1980 300SD |
#3
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clear with a tinge of blue.. but not red!!!!!
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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59 |
#4
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Quote:
I did that test because I'm trying to decide if I should pull the fuel filter screen out of the bottom - it's a messy job so I'm doing some due diligence to make sure it's not for naught, but it sounds more and more like it's in order. Next decision will be: should I pull the tank out and clean it or just use something like Startron in the tank and hope it will get cleaned out in time... any advice on that?! Maybe I'll pull the strainer out first and see how bad it is first - then decide the next steps.
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K |
#5
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The diesel I get is a greenish blue color, and is not fully transparent.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
#6
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Kool-Aid fruit punch red.
Turquoise is the color diesel should be. Under different color temperatures it changes however. Blue/green is ok. Algae looks like coffee grounds.
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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone. |
#7
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Pic
Here is the photo of the mystery diesel fuel from my tank -
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K |
#8
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James, the pic looks like dirty fuel to me. Mine I can definitely see through. Have you changed out the fuel filters yet? There are two ways to look at cleaning the tank. 1- Add cleaners. This will loosed/remove junk but it will get caught in your filters requiring changes, perhaps multiple changes. 2- Drop the tank and clean it. I've heard a few people say they went route #1 but in hindsight they wish they had gone route #2. I would think the first step would be to pull the tank screen and check it out. It works best when your tank is near empty (so you don't have to drain as much fuel obvioulsy).
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2009 ML320 Bluetec 1985 300CD 1981 300TD Past Mercedes 1979 300TD 1982 300TD 2000 E320 4Matic Wagon 1998 E430 1984 300SD 1980 300SD |
#9
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Quote:
With winter in full swing around here it won't be easy to do but it looks like a must. Thx for all the advice - James
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K |
#10
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Consider a new tank screen, bottom o-ring, sending unit o-ring, feed and return hoses. Everyone says the screen lasts forever. I found the bottom 1/4 inch rotted away when I did the same job. Had a radiator shop clean the trank.
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#11
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Yep - all in consideration. I have all the hoses, clamps - need to source the rest if need be - will decide upon physical removal and inspection. Thx
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K |
#12
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That diesel looks a little dark to me, like it has some oil in it.
Might be pesky tiny creatures too. But a few members have posted about getting oil in the fuel through an internal leak in the IP, if I'm not mistaken. Not many other places engine oil can get into the fuel. If it isn't gone with a few biocide treatments, I'd look into getting your oil tested for diesel contamination- old seals work both ways.
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I-------------------------------------1981 300TD, Thistle Green, 140K------------------------------------I
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#13
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Just called a couple of radiator shops locally and they both said that they don't do that anymore because they have no clean way of disposing the waste... How the heck am I going to dispose of it myself?! Can't just dump it down the drain - it won't burn with water in it - sheesh...
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K |
#14
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Quote:
I hope it's not the IP - that's a little scary to me. He did have the IP re-sealed about 3 months back according to the receipts, but I don't know if that's the 'internal seals' that you're talking about. Is this a complicated/expensive job, if indeed necessary?! Edit: The receipt from June 09 reads: "R&R (6) Injector standard pressure valves and re-seal with listed parts." The listed parts are: 6 Injector standard "O" rings and Brass gaskets plus 1 crossover gasket"..
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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD 1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD 2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K; 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K Last edited by MercFan; 11-17-2009 at 01:29 PM. Reason: more info |
#15
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Quote:
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2009 ML320 Bluetec 1985 300CD 1981 300TD Past Mercedes 1979 300TD 1982 300TD 2000 E320 4Matic Wagon 1998 E430 1984 300SD 1980 300SD |
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