New Member Introduction

[dabenz]

Forgive me for being a newbee to computers and this web site. Nice to see I’m not alone out there with my diesel car.

Vehicle is a 1970 220D 4-speed 200,00 mi., with the AM/FM radio and the passenger door mirror as the only factory options. My pioneer trucker grandfather was the first owner, and bought “daBenz” for a retirement toy. I've owned it since 1990, and have been around diesels since birth.

Tried to post to the algae thread (what is a thread?) but it wouldn’t go. Following is what I wanted to say:

daBenz was last run in August 2000 from home in eastern ND to Seattle and back. Burned 1.5 qt oil and averaged 36 mpg. Before Seattle trip it was last run in 1998, and will be run again this year when I want it to, just like the farmers around here who store their tractors all winter. Diesels aren’t hard, just different fuels need different procedures.

Tank wash: Don't bother. Run the tank down, then drain remainder from bottom plug hole. Jack the corner(s) of car to tip tank if needed (a 6 inch level at plug hole tells you which corner). Use correct wrench and lots of “loosen it” if the plug hasn’t been out in a while.

My normal diesel fuel procedure:
#1: Use quality fresh fuel. Truckers don't have algae problems because their suppliers are always filling THEIR tanks. Two cents per gallon gets better mileage and reduces maintenance costs.

#2: Treat the fuel at each fueling like smart truckers. One type for storage or old fuel, another for fresh.

#3: Use a mechanical water separator. Algae needs water to breathe like we need air and algae is always present in diesel. Watch for freezing. Truckers use separators with electric heaters, but they're big and expensive. Magnetic gizmos are gizmos.

#4: Change fuel filters regularly. Once a year for 10,000 mi/yr average drivers using good fuel. Two or three times a year for junk fuel (which is why boaters have problems). I use a washable (OEM) prefilter and just reverse flush it with clean fuel.

#5: Keep spare filters in trunk, just in case.

I'll wander out to the shed in the next few weeks to get part numbers for the water separator and main fuel filter (either NAPA or Baldwin if I remember right) and look at the chemical treatment jugs for brand and type.

Hope this wasn't too wordy,
daBenz.