RDavisinVA
Technical Excellence Contributor
Many years ago, we bought a Mercedes 300 TD Wagon that the owner sold us because about 6 months after he started using veg oil for fuel, the filter would almost immediately clog with rust particles.
When I picked it up, I brought along a sedimenter, a 12V fuel pump, and a 5 gallon can filled with diesel.
The seller was convinced that I would never be able to drive it home.
Installed a sedimenter before the 12V fuel pump, installed a new fuel filter, and dumped the 5 gallons of diesel in the tank.
The 12V pump was rigged off the battery just to get the wagon home.
Started up the 300 TD and successfully drove it home.
The next day, drained the sedimenter which was fill of veg slime, water, and rust particles.
Then wired the 12V fuel pump to operate when the key was switched on.
I used the 300 TD for a commuter vehicle for the next 6 months until someone I knew kept pestering me to buy the 300TD and needing the money gave in and sold it.
Before the buyer arrived to pick it up, I changed the fluids and decided to clean out the sedimenter and change the fuel filter.
The sedimenter was nearly full to the top with rust particles that looked as fine as talcum powder.
Next replaced the fuel filter and after inspecting the old filter by cutting it open, it looked brand new.
The sedimenter had trapper 99.99% of the water and particulate.
I will not run diesel without a sedimenter and a 12V fuel pump.
It's also worth noting that the spin-on filter is 100 times easier to change over the sandwich filter used on the 12J and 19J fuel systems.
When I picked it up, I brought along a sedimenter, a 12V fuel pump, and a 5 gallon can filled with diesel.
The seller was convinced that I would never be able to drive it home.
Installed a sedimenter before the 12V fuel pump, installed a new fuel filter, and dumped the 5 gallons of diesel in the tank.
The 12V pump was rigged off the battery just to get the wagon home.
Started up the 300 TD and successfully drove it home.
The next day, drained the sedimenter which was fill of veg slime, water, and rust particles.
Then wired the 12V fuel pump to operate when the key was switched on.
I used the 300 TD for a commuter vehicle for the next 6 months until someone I knew kept pestering me to buy the 300TD and needing the money gave in and sold it.
Before the buyer arrived to pick it up, I changed the fluids and decided to clean out the sedimenter and change the fuel filter.
The sedimenter was nearly full to the top with rust particles that looked as fine as talcum powder.
Next replaced the fuel filter and after inspecting the old filter by cutting it open, it looked brand new.
The sedimenter had trapper 99.99% of the water and particulate.
I will not run diesel without a sedimenter and a 12V fuel pump.
It's also worth noting that the spin-on filter is 100 times easier to change over the sandwich filter used on the 12J and 19J fuel systems.
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