Fungus in Diesel Fuel Tank ???

[Brian]

Hi Folks,

I removed and dimantled the sender unit in the diesel fuel tank to rectify an erratic gauge reading "Will report on this in another thread".

When I removed the bottom plug, I was confronted with a blob of black jelly like in texture material. This fell out complete and intact when I turned the plug over.

I have carried out this task before, but never come across this.

Has any one met this type of blob before ?

Is this the dreaded Fungus I wonder ?

[prm]

No doubt at some time there’s been water in the fuel tank and is contaminated by microbiological fungi – black sludge.

Bacteria enters the fuel tank via vents and during refuelling, with any water present, this contamination can increases rapidly. Especially prone on diesel tanks.
If left for some time, this can produce an acidic liquid.

To avoid removing the complete tank, try raising the suspension to highest level, support the rear end, then fully lower. This should bring most of the sludge into view via the tank sender opening, to vac out.

Might be worthwhile giving the tank a dose of water dissolving/injector additive after any cleaning.

[tom]

Fungus in the tank reduces the range alarmingly. There's not mush room inside...

[Terry Brooks]

It's an alien life form

Has any one met this type of blob before ?

Is this the dreaded Fungus I wonder ?

[mike st gilles]

There's not mush room inside...

lol

[Brian]

Hi, Thanks for the comments, even the amusing ones...

Well, I will have to wait till the fuel is lower in the tank before checking to see if the blobs have multiplied...

Removed the Bosch filter housing, the filter was clean, no contamination at all.

Filter back on the car, difficult to prime, engine would run for about 2 mins, then stop !!.

Filter housing removed again and dismantled, revealed a floppy crazed and sighly holed diaphram, not bad I suppose after 21 years..

Good job I did this check, as it could have left me stranded at any time..

Ho Hum...

[AndersDK]

Found the Bosch part no yet on the membrane/diaphragm Brian ?

[Brian]

Hi Anders,

Well to be quite honest, I took the Roto Diesel filter housing, from my Visa D which I am still restoring, and fitted that which works Ok, although the filter is a lot smaller.

I will try and find out if the diaphagms are sold as a spare part, I doubt it though..

[roscoe]

I had the same problem with my primer head - found a new one on ebay and changed it but it still isn't real effective. So I bought one of those squeeze bulb ones used on boats (similar to what Xantia diesels use) and installed it just upstream of the Rotodiesel one - it works much better and only takes a squeeze or two to fully prime ( I was going to say 'go hard' but this is a family forum )

[Brian]

Hi Roscoe,

Yes I was thinking on the same lines.

I think the early type Bosch (Purflux) filter is better than the Lucas one, as it has an additional bead type filter on the outlet port. (Picture Below).

But it means making up a blank out of suitable diesel resistant material in place of the diaphagm and clamping back the existing cover to form an airtight / leakproof joint.

[Brian]

Thanks for the offer Jon, I will bear that in mind if I do get stuck.

But I suppose most of the early ones will be in a similar state re the diaphragm..

[roscoe]

There's a new filter head on ebay for sale now - look for item # 4623120315.

[kermit the frog]

I don't know if this is related to this problem but when i was working in motorsport a few years ago.
All of us drivers (truckies) on the team had to undergo a Hazardous Goods by road training course.(as we were carrying race fuel etc)

In the course of the training the instructor pointed out the nicely polished diesel tanks on the race transporters and asked if they were left for long periods in the off season with diesel in them.

When he was told yes they were he told us to drain them almost empty if this was the case as the bacteria in the diesel will eat its way through the alloy of the tank.
Another reason to use the gloves at the filling station.

this is why so many trucks and cars are now fitted with plastic tanks.
They are also safer in a collision.
not so good for the race teams as you can't polish a plastic tank.

So i hope this puts your small blobs into perspective

Regards KERMIT

[toddao]

Thought I should resuerect this thread rather than start a new one as my problems are most likely relating to the same sludge.
Ever since I've had my 1.9D I've suffered from intermittant flow problems particularly on hills. Changed the filter, used additives which improves it for a while but now it's getting really lumpy flow even on the flat.
I don't want to drop the whole tank and I've read what's been written here and also on some boat web-sites regarding diesel contamination ( also my car had been sat for two years previous to buying it) so I'm going to remove the sender and access it that way.
PRM mentions supporting 'the rear end' while lowering the suspension to bring the sludge into view - I don't understand how this goes.
Secondly, what it the best equipment for syphoning this sludge out - the boat websites mention some cheap pumps and PRM says 'vacuuming' ( don't think I'll be popular with the wife if I use her Dyson!) - I've got a garden pump for fountains and that's it - any good? Any advice appreciated. Cheers