Out of town with trouble
 

Have been running biodiesel in my 1984 Mecedes 300 td for a while now. I accidently pumped some Biodiesel mixed with water in the tank. It ran fine for several days, but today I went on a trip and it will only go about 40 mph. I checked the primary filter and it looks good. After a stop and idle I can go for a little bit and accelerate. If I prime it it will take off for a little bit then loose power again. I do not know what to do to get back home. Please help. I have added some water remover and some number 2 diesel. One of those two seemed to have casued the problem.

Your tank screen may be plugged. Try driving it with the feed and return lines switched. If it runs ok under those conditions, your screen is plugged.

-Remove any water contaminated fuel from the tank. If the car sits overnight, you could probably pump the bad fuel / water out with the hand pump since water will settle to the bottom of the tank.

-then change the main spin-on filter. If you can't get a new one in time, at least empty the one that's on there completely

-prime the system again. Open up all the fuel lines at the injectors and crank until a steady stream of liquid runs out of each of them. (we are trying to remove any water that might be trapped in the pump and lines)

I have never messed with the fuel lines. Not sure how to switch them. Do I do it at teh tank or where the primary filter is?

Not Good = Alcohol+Diesel Engine.
 

Bio-D mixed with H2O ain't the Engine's "Choice" in Fuels.

BUT 99.999999999% of the commercially available "Water Removers" are
Alcohol.
(Their process DEPENDS on the Alcohol's Hygroscopic ability to "Glom" onto the
H2O molecules.)

1.'Sounds like the "Tainted" Bio-D MAYhave had some "Trash" in it ALSO,which
your fuel flow is Sucking up Periodically.
2.The H2O is getting through to the I.P. and Injectors.

I Swear,'Twere Me I'd hunting a U-Haul dealer for a Truck+Trailer rental !

I had to face this "Solution" one Saturday Morning,Halfway Between
Atlanta and Savannah.With another brand of Diesel Vehicle.

Then you could drain and clean the tank and lines at your leisure,
WITHOUT the Specter of FURTHER ENGINE/INJECTION PUMP DAMAGE.

Up at the filter is your easiest way.

[QUOTE=compress ignite;2676922]Bio-D mixed with H2O ain't the Engine's "Choice" in Fuels.

BUT 99.999999999% of the commercially available "Water Removers" are
Alcohol.
(Their process DEPENDS on the Alcohol's Hygroscopic ability to "Glom" onto the
H2O molecules.)

Are you saying that most of the water removers will not work with biodiesel.
If filter changes work how can I hurt my IP?

I personally wouldnt put a water dryer in diesel. let it settle naturally, and then suck it out.

Too bad there are no low point drains on the tank like in airplanes. Take a sample every once in a while in a mason jar, swirl it around, all ok pour it back in. Fuel samples.. ahhh JP in the morning.
memories...

You knowingly pumped in water and did not stop and drain the tank first?

in a pinch you could put a jug of clean diesel in the engine compartment and run the supply and return into it. i'd do that if i had a tank full of junk and needed to just get home.

Great Idea I have a jug of Bio diesel in my trunk! thanks

Well I put in water remover.

Answer
 

It sounds like filter #3 is fouled/plugged.

MB diesel filtration, how it works.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=141211

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Emptying the fuel tank
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=205878

Fuel/Water Separator....I SEARCHED!!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=221226

How much Fuel per hour? water filter/seperator
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=256958



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Had no Idea that the third or secondary filter did water separation.
It makes sense to me that it would be water logged.
I will try that first.