BROKEN DOWN CONTAMINATED DIESEL HELP!

My fender has died, I checked the filter and this came out. I'm going to drain the tank, clear the lines and replace the filters. Is there anything else I should consider or worry about. I desperately need the car running as my son has cancer and we need it for hospital runs for his chemo therapy.

Thanks everyone.

Water I take it ? You could open an injector pipe.

looks like water and antifreeze possibly!

oh, just spotted @tottot said the same!

I've already tried that. That's how I found the water. I'll do that again to help it self prime after I've cleared the water out of the system. I was wondering if anybody else had this happen to them with a 300 tdi.

what year/model we talking about?

A 1995 M reg 300 tdi

I had a split tank on mine which used to let water in when it was particularly wet. it never died though so i can only image the water is getting to the injectors or something?

sorry can't be much more help!

mojo247 said:

I had a split tank on mine which used to let water in when it was particularly wet. it never died though so i can only image the water is getting to the injectors or something?

sorry can't be much more help!

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Cheers Mojo

Is it possible someone has contaminated your fuel by adding some illicit liquid to your tank, e.g. urine.

Col

What ever it is get it out as soon as possible,dont let it sit and start some corrosion in the pump.Thjnk you have done that though.

Colthebrummie said:

Is it possible someone has contaminated your fuel by adding some illicit liquid to your tank, e.g. urine.

Col

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Hi Col, hahahaha. Now that would be taking pi55. I keep the tank locked so I don't think so. I reckon it was ASDA diesel, that was the last place I filled up

tottot said:

What ever it is get it out as soon as possible,dont let it sit and start some corrosion in the pump.Thjnk you have done that though.

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Hi tottot. I've got the tank off and I've cleaned that out and I'm about to clean the lines through.

Is your coolant level ok although not sure how it would find it's way back to the filter, but it does look a bit 'antifreezy'

Could pressure test the fuel lines with a fine oil. If that the stuff you emptied the filter with that more than oil water mix even with bacteria reaction. Have you allowed anyone else to fill up previously or aware of tampering because if that came from a fuel station they would be shot. I guess by your location Brize your a member of our fine service. If you are and of noted status(officer) and still have this sample you could have a chat with POL supply(officer) for a test check. Cup of tea and bourbons. If not your last confirmed two fill up station should have a report of fuel contamination and isolation of fuel tanks. Take the sample with a date of fill up. But I would be surprised you would be an isolated case.

That looks a lot of water - and it's green which would imply growth of some kind. Keep that sample don't chuck it.

I'd be asking some pointed questions at the filling station - that is a lot to have leaked into the tank if it's not rusted a big hole in the top and let spray in..... either someones added that much or it's contaminated fuel.

Apologies it teaching to suck eggs...

To clear the system, dump off the tank as you have and drain the main filter, then prime from the hand lever on the lift pump. It'll take a bit of doing but it will go. If the pump doesn't prime keep turning the crank a quarter turn and try it till it does - the lift pump only works for hand priming when it's cam is in a certain position.

With a full filter fo clean diesel, connect it all up and then slacken the return banjo on the injection pump. you can then prime with the lift pump and blow clean diesel into the injection pump and flush all the crud out. refasten banjo, undo injection pipe tops, crank engine five seconds to flush the lines. Celan up spilled diesel, fasten up injection pipes and she should start....

JimS said:

Is your coolant level ok although not sure how it would find it's way back to the filter, but it does look a bit 'antifreezy'

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I cant see how it possibly can get into the fuel at all - there could be a crack from a waterway to the injector tunnel in the head I suppose, but the injector is a sealed unit the return is inside the injectior pencil...

JimS said:

Is your coolant level ok although not sure how it would find it's way back to the filter, but it does look a bit 'antifreezy'

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The only way I think that could happen in near the return fuel line (out) back to the tank having some sort of draw from a leaking coolant near. Then when the fuel is pumped around again that is taken up on the filter unit.

I don't really know much about diesel landies, but is it possible to divert the fuel return into something other than the fuel tank so that returning fuel can be checked for coolant contamination. Please pardon me if I am talking complete bollox.

Col

have you got it going yet?