Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes
I think use pattern is a big factor. If you drive the car all the time, the tank is pretty clean to start, and you go through a tank of fuel every week or two, then a few spare filters will do the job. But if the car is driven little and the same Diesel sits in the tank for months, regular biocide treatments get to be important. In my particular case I think the tank was pretty clean until I refueled at a country station somewhere on the way back from Ahoske. I got so much crud and water at the one fill-up that it choked the in-tank screen. Most of this stuff was heavier than fuel and it just sat on the bottom until I started driving, which stirred it up until It got sucked against the unplugged part of the screen. So I pretty-much had to get it out of the tank and , being heavy, it wouldn't drain out. There was also goo that was lighter (suspended) that fouled the fuel gauge, which quit working. After I removed and cleaned the gauge it worked and continues to work fine. -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Dieselhead Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 1:11 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes Buy some extra filters and do the shock treatment of biobor. I honestly don't think it is worth the effort that scott describes, although that will help get it cleaner sooner. in my experience, the shock treatment,and running it will clean out the tank. But you want to add the normal treatment of biocide at each refill for several tanks. I had the same problem with my 82 300sd about 6 years ago. It would start out OK but after a few miles crap would build up on the in-tank fuel strainer to the extent I couldn't maintain speed, especially uphill. When the tank got low, I painfully drained what would come out and removed the in-tank strainer. A vice-grips did the job of unscrewing it. Then I blasted out the tank with my pressure washer working from above through the fuel gauge hole. After I was convinced the tank was as clean as it was going to get, I sucked up the water I could reach with a shop vac and than ran the shop van on blow for about 8 hours; the shop-vac hose blew in at the fuel gauge hole and air exited the strainer hole below. When all looked dry, I put it back together with a new strainer. All this was done with the car on jack stands and tilted to get the strainer hole as low as possible. Then I pressure-washed my concrete work pad that was covered with an amazing layer of crud. Bergsma's kit looks like good stuff. I did the job without the fancy tools but I was younger then. Supplemental: my problem was debris from refueling at a bad station. I normally add Biobor (biocide) at each refueling. I get the stuff at West Marine. -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 6:08 PM To: Diesel List Subject: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes My '78 240D has gotten slow, really slow, mega slow, slow even for a 240D. A couple weeks ago I replaced the fuel filters and it got better for most of a ride to RI. On the way back it was bad again. How bad? Like 3rd gear 50mph on any kind of hill bad. So today I figured I better look into it. Pulled the fuel sender, the tank is pretty low so this seemed like a good place to start. YEECH! What is that black $h!t coating the bottom 1/4 of the sender? This can't be good. Got it apart and found a huge snot globule that explains why the low fuel light never comes on. When I say huge snot globule I mean it. At first I thought there was a wiper pad at the bottom of the sender. Had to come in an look at pictures of a clean one. I got the globule out and got the sender back together, at least one thing is fixed. I don't know if I want to attempt the tank strainer. Looks like if I do I should probably buy the kit from Mercedes source but it also seems like if the tank is as bad as this I should probably have it pulled out and steam cleaned. I'll run it over to my local guy tomorrow and see what he'll charge for this fun job. If the guy down the street will do it it'll save my Indy. I think this is a job he'd prefer not to do. -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http
Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes
If you'd seen the snot goblin in the sender you wouldn't think so. Think of the pad on a band-aid but 1/4 thick and 1 in diameter (or whatever the sender tube is) and strong enough I had to really pull on it to get it apart. I sprayed it with carb cleaner and it just shrugged. Algecide will kill the bugs but assuming the infestation in the rest of the tank is similar to the sender its going to be a long time before they all come out. Besides which the tank screen is plugged now, thats just gonna get worse. -Curt Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:10:59 -0500 From: Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes Message-ID: a06240801cc2aa3dc3b61@[192.168.1.52] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ; format=flowed Buy some extra filters and do the shock treatment of biobor. I honestly don't think it is worth the effort that scott describes, although that will help get it cleaner sooner. in my experience, the shock treatment,and running it will clean out the tank. But you want to add the normal treatment of biocide at each refill for several tanks. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes
My '78 240D has gotten slow, really slow, mega slow, slow even for a 240D. A couple weeks ago I replaced the fuel filters and it got better for most of a ride to RI. On the way back it was bad again. How bad? Like 3rd gear 50mph on any kind of hill bad. So today I figured I better look into it. Pulled the fuel sender, the tank is pretty low so this seemed like a good place to start. YEECH! What is that black $h!t coating the bottom 1/4 of the sender? This can't be good. Got it apart and found a huge snot globule that explains why the low fuel light never comes on. When I say huge snot globule I mean it. At first I thought there was a wiper pad at the bottom of the sender. Had to come in an look at pictures of a clean one. I got the globule out and got the sender back together, at least one thing is fixed. I don't know if I want to attempt the tank strainer. Looks like if I do I should probably buy the kit from Mercedes source but it also seems like if the tank is as bad as this I should probably have it pulled out and steam cleaned. I'll run it over to my local guy tomorrow and see what he'll charge for this fun job. If the guy down the street will do it it'll save my Indy. I think this is a job he'd prefer not to do. -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes
I had the same problem with my 82 300sd about 6 years ago. It would start out OK but after a few miles crap would build up on the in-tank fuel strainer to the extent I couldn't maintain speed, especially uphill. When the tank got low, I painfully drained what would come out and removed the in-tank strainer. A vice-grips did the job of unscrewing it. Then I blasted out the tank with my pressure washer working from above through the fuel gauge hole. After I was convinced the tank was as clean as it was going to get, I sucked up the water I could reach with a shop vac and than ran the shop van on blow for about 8 hours; the shop-vac hose blew in at the fuel gauge hole and air exited the strainer hole below. When all looked dry, I put it back together with a new strainer. All this was done with the car on jack stands and tilted to get the strainer hole as low as possible. Then I pressure-washed my concrete work pad that was covered with an amazing layer of crud. Bergsma's kit looks like good stuff. I did the job without the fancy tools but I was younger then. Supplemental: my problem was debris from refueling at a bad station. I normally add Biobor (biocide) at each refueling. I get the stuff at West Marine. -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 6:08 PM To: Diesel List Subject: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes My '78 240D has gotten slow, really slow, mega slow, slow even for a 240D. A couple weeks ago I replaced the fuel filters and it got better for most of a ride to RI. On the way back it was bad again. How bad? Like 3rd gear 50mph on any kind of hill bad. So today I figured I better look into it. Pulled the fuel sender, the tank is pretty low so this seemed like a good place to start. YEECH! What is that black $h!t coating the bottom 1/4 of the sender? This can't be good. Got it apart and found a huge snot globule that explains why the low fuel light never comes on. When I say huge snot globule I mean it. At first I thought there was a wiper pad at the bottom of the sender. Had to come in an look at pictures of a clean one. I got the globule out and got the sender back together, at least one thing is fixed. I don't know if I want to attempt the tank strainer. Looks like if I do I should probably buy the kit from Mercedes source but it also seems like if the tank is as bad as this I should probably have it pulled out and steam cleaned. I'll run it over to my local guy tomorrow and see what he'll charge for this fun job. If the guy down the street will do it it'll save my Indy. I think this is a job he'd prefer not to do. -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes
My local Car Quest has some kind of algecide that I looked at the other day, $30 for 16oz. Says I need 1/2 oz to maintain, 2oz (per 20 gal I think) to shock and kill the bugs. I figure killing the bugs at this point is a waste of time, I could remove them a little at a time forever... I'll buy a bottle of the stuff and dose everybody afterward but I've never in the last 9 years of driving an MB diesel full time had algae troubles. Normally I say thats because I drive a lot but this car sat some before I got it. -Curt Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:40:05 -0400 From: Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes Message-ID: 26BF6691E32E42D38321F11C3F71183C@ScottPC Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii I had the same problem with my 82 300sd about 6 years ago. It would start out OK but after a few miles crap would build up on the in-tank fuel strainer to the extent I couldn't maintain speed, especially uphill. When the tank got low, I painfully drained what would come out and removed the in-tank strainer. A vice-grips did the job of unscrewing it. Then I blasted out the tank with my pressure washer working from above through the fuel gauge hole. After I was convinced the tank was as clean as it was going to get, I sucked up the water I could reach with a shop vac and than ran the shop van on blow for about 8 hours; the shop-vac hose blew in at the fuel gauge hole and air exited the strainer hole below. When all looked dry, I put it back together with a new strainer. All this was done with the car on jack stands and tilted to get the strainer hole as low as possible. Then I pressure-washed my concrete work pad that was covered with an amazing layer of crud. Bergsma's kit looks like good stuff. I did the job without the fancy tools but I was younger then. Supplemental: my problem was debris from refueling at a bad station. I normally add Biobor (biocide) at each refueling. I get the stuff at West Marine. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes
Buy some extra filters and do the shock treatment of biobor. I honestly don't think it is worth the effort that scott describes, although that will help get it cleaner sooner. in my experience, the shock treatment,and running it will clean out the tank. But you want to add the normal treatment of biocide at each refill for several tanks. I had the same problem with my 82 300sd about 6 years ago. It would start out OK but after a few miles crap would build up on the in-tank fuel strainer to the extent I couldn't maintain speed, especially uphill. When the tank got low, I painfully drained what would come out and removed the in-tank strainer. A vice-grips did the job of unscrewing it. Then I blasted out the tank with my pressure washer working from above through the fuel gauge hole. After I was convinced the tank was as clean as it was going to get, I sucked up the water I could reach with a shop vac and than ran the shop van on blow for about 8 hours; the shop-vac hose blew in at the fuel gauge hole and air exited the strainer hole below. When all looked dry, I put it back together with a new strainer. All this was done with the car on jack stands and tilted to get the strainer hole as low as possible. Then I pressure-washed my concrete work pad that was covered with an amazing layer of crud. Bergsma's kit looks like good stuff. I did the job without the fancy tools but I was younger then. Supplemental: my problem was debris from refueling at a bad station. I normally add Biobor (biocide) at each refueling. I get the stuff at West Marine. -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 6:08 PM To: Diesel List Subject: [MBZ] Uh oh - algae woes My '78 240D has gotten slow, really slow, mega slow, slow even for a 240D. A couple weeks ago I replaced the fuel filters and it got better for most of a ride to RI. On the way back it was bad again. How bad? Like 3rd gear 50mph on any kind of hill bad. So today I figured I better look into it. Pulled the fuel sender, the tank is pretty low so this seemed like a good place to start. YEECH! What is that black $h!t coating the bottom 1/4 of the sender? This can't be good. Got it apart and found a huge snot globule that explains why the low fuel light never comes on. When I say huge snot globule I mean it. At first I thought there was a wiper pad at the bottom of the sender. Had to come in an look at pictures of a clean one. I got the globule out and got the sender back together, at least one thing is fixed. I don't know if I want to attempt the tank strainer. Looks like if I do I should probably buy the kit from Mercedes source but it also seems like if the tank is as bad as this I should probably have it pulled out and steam cleaned. I'll run it over to my local guy tomorrow and see what he'll charge for this fun job. If the guy down the street will do it it'll save my Indy. I think this is a job he'd prefer not to do. -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
