I have a brand new hyundai i30 turbo diesel that's been running perfectly on b50 since new for 1,900 kms.

On the last tank I filled to b80.

This morning I went to start my car and it took 3 goes at it before it would start (it normally starts up straight away) but it ran fine all day where I drove back and forth around 30 kms. I stopped my car at my brothers house for two hours which is about 15 kms from mine. When I left to come home it started fine but I got half way home and the engine lost power and died. I pulled over, tried to start the car - it wouldnt start. I let it sit for a few minutes - it then started straight away and I was able to drive about 1 km before again I lost power and the engine died. Waited a few minutes - car started fine ... I had to repeat the process all the way home.

Any ideas here? I'm in Melbourne so it is fairly cold - but today was 13 degrees - which isnt super cold.

I suspect that the filter is maybe gumming up with clouded bio which is starving the engine - when it sits for a few minutes the engine bay heat is melting enough biodiesel to start and run for a short time before it gums up again.

HELP!!!!!!!

WFD,
Your diagnosis is plausible. Have you tested the B80 for cloud point? This may confirm your diagnosis.

Regards,
Tony

Yeh I would say you are on the right track - change the filter and u should be fine. Other things may be an air leak, or perhaps some water but I think your diagnosis is pretty typical.

I know it is not as cold up here on the Gold Coast , but I was talking to another mechanic who has been making bio for a year now and he says a small amount of petrol mixed with the bio is the best experiment he has come up with so far to stop the bio gelling, he also mentioned tolulene { not sure about the spelling} ., but he has not tried that one yet but when he done a check on some additive they use in the states the major fluid in it was the tolulene. But is does sound like your theory is correct , fuel is geeling up in the cold, I suppose if you drained out say 20L and put back in 20L of diesel this should solve the problem for now. Cheers.

Certainly sounds like a filter issue too me.

My i30 has been running fine on B50 (>5500km's).
I am fairly pedantic when I make it, always passes the 27/3 and filtered to 1 micron.

Maybe dropping to B50 for winter is the go.

I completely agree 100% agree with this advice. I think that i'll even have to start running a blend in the Roidio this winter maybe only 10% diesel but it might take the strain away from the cold morning i'm experancing.

Us commonrail and direct injection folks have to be a little more careful than the merc users.

__________________
Cheers
Nick.

Roidio 2001 Holden Rodeo 4x4 2.8L TD. 2.5" Straight through exhaust sytem, heat exchanger shower system. 2" Body Lift,
And lots of fruit, B100 for 25,000 no problems.

Elsa 1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 300D. The Fastest Merc in Oz, Loving B100 Burgers

Hi guys thanks for the responses.

The latest is that I checked the fuel system today and it seems it may not be a fuel filter problem because when I push fuel through the filter using the manual pump on top the fuel is ejected fine.

Also - I removed the fuel line that feeds the injector rail and when I turn over the engine it is pumping fuel everywhere - so it doesnt seem to be a supply issue or a blockage and the fuel in all the lines, including the lines running to and from the filter have completely liquid fuel in them with no signs of clouding whatsoever.

The only thing I can think of is that I have a contaminated batch of fuel. I used some containers that I dont normally use (supplied by a friend) and it seems they may have had a small amount of cleaning substance in them.

Looks like I'm going to need to empty out the tank and fill with clean diesel. I tried to get a hose down into the tank with no success. The fuel tank feed seems to have a lot of bends in it which makes it impossible to get a hose down into the tank.

What would be the best way to get fuel out of this tank ????

Most fuel tanks come with a drain plug.

Usually seen at rear bottom of the tank.

Have you checked?

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Fitian
<><

thanks will have a look in the morning.



Matt

If you have a spare electric fuel pump, connect it to the fuel line to the engine and suck it from the tank, via the fuel lines, pumping into containers.

Regards,
Tony