Discussion:
Mercedes Benz headlamps wanted
(too old to reply)
Seum
2011-04-15 15:38:06 UTC
Permalink
Hello again Experts,

I seem to have fallen down a hole recently. I moved from a country that
drives on the right side of the road to one that drives on the left. The
1984 Mercedes Benz 240 D now has problems with the headlights. If the
existing lamps are used while driving on the left side, dipping will
likely blind the oncoming drivers on the right side of the road (as seen
by the left side driver).

These lamps are sealed beams about 7" or 18 cms in diameter. I have two
with markings on the glass : AO4, 2D1, Sylvania Halogen, Sealed Beam.
Does anyone know of a source of these for left hand-driving?

TIA
Roland Franzius
2011-04-15 16:24:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Seum
Hello again Experts,
I seem to have fallen down a hole recently. I moved from a country that
drives on the right side of the road to one that drives on the left. The
1984 Mercedes Benz 240 D now has problems with the headlights. If the
existing lamps are used while driving on the left side, dipping will
likely blind the oncoming drivers on the right side of the road (as seen
by the left side driver).
These lamps are sealed beams about 7" or 18 cms in diameter. I have two
with markings on the glass : AO4, 2D1, Sylvania Halogen, Sealed Beam.
Does anyone know of a source of these for left hand-driving?
Should be available at MB shops in UK, SA, Australia, Japan and other
countries not driving on the right side of the street.

Perhaps they have to order a pair from overseas but you have no problems
getting spare parts for the W123.
--
Roland Franzius
Tiger
2011-04-15 18:08:35 UTC
Permalink
You don't need to buy sealed beam headlight to replace it. I suggest you
look for Cibie headlights for your car... you should be able to source a
pair for your car... that conforms to your local code. The Cibie has
replaceble filaments... like H4.

Cibie headlights are outstanding... I had a pair long ago.
Seum
2011-04-16 14:33:43 UTC
Permalink
Thanks Roland and Tiger.

You did a great job. Here is one example of what I found:

http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog,295,partnum,082441,d,Valeo_082441.html

"VALEO Part # 082441 CIBIE ACCESSORIES; Section: Outer section; For
left-hand traffic; with high beam, with low beam; Diameter [mm]: 178;
Bulb Type: H4; Halogen; Round; Weight [kg]: 0,6; Left, Right; without
bulb. Category: Headlamp Assembly
* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days - $30.79 each.

I just noted that the bulbs are not included :-( but the bulb type is
given as - Bulb Type: H4; Halogen; Round.

Estimate for the shipping will add about $30. I was surprised that this
unit is for left-hand traffic and using metric - in USA.

Would you two experts approve of this one?

TIA
Post by Tiger
You don't need to buy sealed beam headlight to replace it. I suggest
you look for Cibie headlights for your car... you should be able to
source a pair for your car... that conforms to your local code. The
Cibie has replaceable filaments... like H4.
Cibie headlights are outstanding... I had a pair long ago.
Tiger
2011-04-16 20:33:19 UTC
Permalink
$30 each... great price! Get Hella H4 bulbs to go with it and you are
golden. You will be shocked how much better the light output is.
Tiger
2011-04-16 20:36:22 UTC
Permalink
http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm

This is where I bought my set...

I think you may be needing the RHD version... as in UK, Japan, Australia...
etc.

And yes, so much more expensive.
Seum
2011-04-16 21:37:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm
This is where I bought my set...
I think you may be needing the RHD version... as in UK, Japan, Australia...
etc.
And yes, so much more expensive.
I'll check that link - wow! they are expensive.

I believe these countries - UK, Japan, Australia..etc drive on the LEFT
side of the roads.

"VALEO Part # 082441 CIBIE ACCESSORIES; Section: Outer section; For
LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC ; with high beam, with low beam; Diameter [mm]: 178;
Bulb Type: H4; Halogen; Round; Weight [kg]: 0,6; Left, Right; without
bulb. Category: Headlamp Assembly
* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days - $30.79 each."

This indicates left-hand traffic.
Tiger
2011-04-17 03:30:02 UTC
Permalink
I saw that... that is what you need. Go for it.
Post by Seum
Post by Tiger
http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm
This is where I bought my set...
I think you may be needing the RHD version... as in UK, Japan,
Australia... etc.
And yes, so much more expensive.
I'll check that link - wow! they are expensive.
I believe these countries - UK, Japan, Australia..etc drive on the LEFT
side of the roads.
"VALEO Part # 082441 CIBIE ACCESSORIES; Section: Outer section; For
LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC ; with high beam, with low beam; Diameter [mm]: 178;
Bulb Type: H4; Halogen; Round; Weight [kg]: 0,6; Left, Right; without
bulb. Category: Headlamp Assembly
* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days - $30.79 each."
This indicates left-hand traffic.
DAS
2011-04-17 18:38:29 UTC
Permalink
Not to mention Eire, the entire Indian Subcontinent, swathes of Africa...

About one-third of the world drives on the left.

No doubt if it hadn't been for ol' Napoleon a whole lot more countries would
be driving on the left, the more 'natural' side (though with modern
conditions this is of little consequence).

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
"Seum" <***@nowhere.con> wrote in message news:***@mid.individual.net...
[...]
Post by Seum
I believe these countries - UK, Japan, Australia..etc drive on the LEFT
side of the roads.
[...]
DAS
2011-04-17 20:08:58 UTC
Permalink
PS.

With headlamps that old why don't you put masking tape on? It's officially
available and costs little. I did that when bring a LHD 200 from Germany to
UK c. 1982.

Only when I smashed a light did I replace it (and the other one) with the
'UK-spec' version.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by DAS
Not to mention Eire, the entire Indian Subcontinent, swathes of Africa...
About one-third of the world drives on the left.
No doubt if it hadn't been for ol' Napoleon a whole lot more countries
would be driving on the left, the more 'natural' side (though with modern
conditions this is of little consequence).
DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
[...]
Post by Seum
I believe these countries - UK, Japan, Australia..etc drive on the LEFT
side of the roads.
[...]
Ximinez
2011-04-29 20:22:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by DAS
Not to mention Eire, the entire Indian Subcontinent, swathes of Africa...
About one-third of the world drives on the left.
No doubt if it hadn't been for ol' Napoleon a whole lot more countries would
be driving on the left, the more 'natural' side (though with modern
conditions this is of little consequence).
Why do you feel it's more natural to drive on the left? Driving a LHD
stick shift definitely feels less natural to me. Shifting from 2 to 3 or
from 4 to 5 is a weird sideways motion, while on an RHD it's just a
straight push away from the driver.

X.
DAS
2011-04-30 13:33:51 UTC
Permalink
Most people are right-handed. So they draw/drew their sword with their
right hand to challenge oncoming chariots/coaches.

The Romans instituted driving on the left for that very reason.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Ximinez
Post by DAS
Not to mention Eire, the entire Indian Subcontinent, swathes of Africa...
About one-third of the world drives on the left.
No doubt if it hadn't been for ol' Napoleon a whole lot more countries would
be driving on the left, the more 'natural' side (though with modern
conditions this is of little consequence).
Why do you feel it's more natural to drive on the left? Driving a LHD
stick shift definitely feels less natural to me. Shifting from 2 to 3 or
from 4 to 5 is a weird sideways motion, while on an RHD it's just a
straight push away from the driver.
X.
Ximinez
2011-05-06 17:56:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by DAS
Most people are right-handed. So they draw/drew their sword with their
right hand to challenge oncoming chariots/coaches.
The Romans instituted driving on the left for that very reason.
Mmm. You'd think you'd want their shield to face the potential enemy...

Any way, technical developments seem to have made that preference obsolete.

X.
DAS
2011-05-07 11:42:02 UTC
Permalink
Normally one challenges a threat with a weapon, not a shield. (Not
necessarily western riot police.)

I did say "...though with modern conditions this is of little consequence."

:-)
DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Ximinez
Post by DAS
Most people are right-handed. So they draw/drew their sword with their
right hand to challenge oncoming chariots/coaches.
The Romans instituted driving on the left for that very reason.
Mmm. You'd think you'd want their shield to face the potential enemy...
Any way, technical developments seem to have made that preference obsolete.
X.
Seum
2011-04-16 21:17:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
$30 each... great price! Get Hella H4 bulbs to go with it and you are
golden. You will be shocked how much better the light output is.
Thanks Tiger for the suggestion. Will look into it.
Seum
2011-04-18 20:23:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by Seum
Post by Tiger
$30 each... great price! Get Hella H4 bulbs to go with it and you are
golden. You will be shocked how much better the light output is.
Thanks Tiger for the suggestion. Will look into it.
I'm having a huge struggle here. Sent out about 15 requests and nobody
has the left-hand-side-of-the-road headlamps.
Tiger
2011-04-18 20:41:58 UTC
Permalink
Why not just order from Rockauto?
Tiger
2011-04-18 21:55:24 UTC
Permalink
I don't know which country you are in... I searched ebay UK... There is one
for cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W123-Headlight-units-/130510053080?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e63015ed8


This is European headlight... UK... One full glass instead of the rounds
like USA... Whenever I buy MB, I always put euro code headlight on it.

Even here... it said Right Hand Drive UK... I suppose they look at it... if
you face the car... if they drive on left side of the road... it is our
Right Hand...

For US, they drive on the right side of the road... Left Hand.
Seum
2011-04-19 09:44:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
I don't know which country you are in... I searched ebay UK... There is one
for cheap!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W123-Headlight-units-/130510053080?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e63015ed8
This is European headlight... UK... One full glass instead of the rounds
like USA... Whenever I buy MB, I always put euro code headlight on it.
Even here... it said Right Hand Drive UK... I suppose they look at it... if
you face the car... if they drive on left side of the road... it is our
Right Hand...
For US, they drive on the right side of the road... Left Hand.
Thank you Tiger.

I'll check the EBay one soon, even though I have heard much negative
things about the quality from EBay.

I have written (in German :-) ) to the place where I ordered that car
from - Hans Tesmer, Grossmoorbogen 23, 2100 Hamburg 90. If they can't
help there, they must know about other Mercedes places in Germany that
has what I am looking for.
DAS
2011-04-19 13:49:54 UTC
Permalink
Here is some clarification:

In UK the description LHD (left-hand drive) or RHD refers to the position of
the steering wheel.

We drive on the left.

Thus, e.g.in Continental Europe they have LHD cars driving on the right.

I trust that's simple.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Tiger
I don't know which country you are in... I searched ebay UK... There is one
for cheap!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W123-Headlight-units-/130510053080?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e63015ed8
This is European headlight... UK... One full glass instead of the rounds
like USA... Whenever I buy MB, I always put euro code headlight on it.
Even here... it said Right Hand Drive UK... I suppose they look at it...
if you face the car... if they drive on left side of the road... it is
our Right Hand...
For US, they drive on the right side of the road... Left Hand.
Tiger
2011-04-19 20:51:01 UTC
Permalink
That makes more sense!

Doh!... Left Hand Drive is when we sit on Left side of the car...

Right Hand Drive... when we sit on the right side of the car...

DOH!
Post by DAS
In UK the description LHD (left-hand drive) or RHD refers to the position
of the steering wheel.
We drive on the left.
Thus, e.g.in Continental Europe they have LHD cars driving on the right.
I trust that's simple.
DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Tiger
I don't know which country you are in... I searched ebay UK... There is
one for cheap!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W123-Headlight-units-/130510053080?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e63015ed8
This is European headlight... UK... One full glass instead of the rounds
like USA... Whenever I buy MB, I always put euro code headlight on it.
Even here... it said Right Hand Drive UK... I suppose they look at it...
if you face the car... if they drive on left side of the road... it is
our Right Hand...
For US, they drive on the right side of the road... Left Hand.
Seum
2011-04-19 09:34:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
Why not just order from Rockauto?
Thanks again Tiger - Here's the answer:


"Hello,

I'm sorry, but we're not able to search our inventory based on
dimensions. I'm afraid I can't offer any further advice on creating
custom headlights for your vehicle.

Thank you,

Justin
RockAuto Customer Service

phone: (608) 661-1376
fax: (608) 836-5694
toll-free: 1-866-ROCKAUTO (1-866-762-5288)
http://www.rockauto.com"


Not too encouraging.
Roland Franzius
2011-04-19 11:29:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Seum
Post by Tiger
Why not just order from Rockauto?
"Hello,
I'm sorry, but we're not able to search our inventory based on
dimensions. I'm afraid I can't offer any further advice on creating
custom headlights for your vehicle.
Thank you,
Justin
RockAuto Customer Service
http://www.rockauto.com"
Not too encouraging.
Part number pages

http://www.auto-parts.spb.ru/cat/cats/m.mycat?cat=mb&client=dr2000


Follow:

Car/13.020.200/Europa/82 Electrical systems/180 Lighting Unit

Left driving units:

A 001 820 75 61
LIGHTING UNIT
LEFT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4

A 001 820 76 61
LIGHTING UNIT
RIGHT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4


The lenses and reflectors separately have numbers


A 123 826 13 90
.LENS
LEFT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4

A 123 826 14 90
.LENS
RIGHT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4

A 000 826 80 78
.REFLECTOR
LEFT HEADLAMP; LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4

A 000 826 81 78
.REFLECTOR
RIGHT HEADLAMP; LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
--
Roland Franzius
DAS
2011-04-19 14:01:08 UTC
Permalink
Perhaps Seum overlooked my earlier low-cost solution of buying masking tape.

We now know he bought in Germany, but I haven't noticed to where he is
importing. In Britain masking tape is still widely available.

Years ago I had an accident with my new RHD W124 in Hamburg, which smashed a
headlamp (and causing more substantial damage despite it being low-speed -
ice...).

IIRC the car was fixed in about 2 days with the *correct* headlamp even
though I had agreed with the Merc workshop to accept a LHD light if UK-spec
was unavailable as I had very little time.

However, this says nothing about the availability of such parts for older
cars now.

In the mid-80s I drove a German-bought W123 LHD in the UK for almost 2
years, using masking tape for most of the time (despite there being some
reduction in light quantity). The I smashed one light (yes, am
accident-prone) and replaced it with a UK-spec lamp and replacing the other,
sound one.

The subsequent buyer of the car expressed regret for this light change as he
was planning to take it to Portugal with him... :-)

So, once again, Seum, consider masking tape... but maybe you'd like to tell
us in which country you live (if you did, I missed it).

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Roland Franzius
Post by Seum
Post by Tiger
Why not just order from Rockauto?
"Hello,
I'm sorry, but we're not able to search our inventory based on
dimensions. I'm afraid I can't offer any further advice on creating
custom headlights for your vehicle.
Thank you,
Justin
RockAuto Customer Service
http://www.rockauto.com"
Not too encouraging.
Part number pages
http://www.auto-parts.spb.ru/cat/cats/m.mycat?cat=mb&client=dr2000
Car/13.020.200/Europa/82 Electrical systems/180 Lighting Unit
A 001 820 75 61 LIGHTING UNIT
LEFT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
A 001 820 76 61 LIGHTING UNIT
RIGHT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
The lenses and reflectors separately have numbers
A 123 826 13 90 .LENS
LEFT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
A 123 826 14 90 .LENS
RIGHT,LEFT-SIDE TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
A 000 826 80 78 .REFLECTOR
LEFT HEADLAMP; LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
A 000 826 81 78 .REFLECTOR
RIGHT HEADLAMP; LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
HELLA,H 4
--
Roland Franzius
Tiger
2011-04-19 20:53:56 UTC
Permalink
Accident proned?! Driving on the wrong side of the car on the right side of
the road... must be disconcerting...
Seum
2011-04-20 08:53:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
Accident proned?! Driving on the wrong side of the car on the right side of
the road... must be disconcerting...
I can assure you that, after changing to driving on the other side of
the road, for a while it is VERY scary. PANIC can hit quickly. I have
gone through this many times. You have to focus your brain hard on your
surroundings and not let it wander.

One of the worst situations is being on a lonely road, your mind has
wandered a little and you see a car coming towards you - Phew! At first
you panic and then drive very slowly until the car gets near and you can
see the side it is on. You should be on the other side :-)

Turning into another road or street can also be scary. Sometimes there
is no dividing line and confusion begins. Even with a dividing line it
is extremely easy to turn into the wrong lane. Again, the brain really
has to be focused.

At present I am going through the adjustment for about the 4th time and
I have a small placard attached to my steering wheel with a dividing
line pointing in the direction I am going. On the left side of that
dividing line I have a very noticeable arrow pointing forwards, so that
I will have guidance if panic is on the way.

Until I find my headlamps I will be doing little driving. The car is not
even registered yet.

BTW, I am in Ireland these days.
DAS
2011-04-20 08:58:46 UTC
Permalink
Seum, you still haven't told us to where you have breought your car.
Britain?

BTW, my accidents have had nothing to with 'side'. I have been driving all
combos of steering wheel position and side-of-road for decades without any
problems. Maybe when I reach old age it will become more difficult... :-)

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Tiger
Accident proned?! Driving on the wrong side of the car on the right side
of the road... must be disconcerting...
I can assure you that, after changing to driving on the other side of the
road, for a while it is VERY scary. PANIC can hit quickly. I have gone
through this many times. You have to focus your brain hard on your
surroundings and not let it wander.
One of the worst situations is being on a lonely road, your mind has
wandered a little and you see a car coming towards you - Phew! At first
you panic and then drive very slowly until the car gets near and you can
see the side it is on. You should be on the other side :-)
Turning into another road or street can also be scary. Sometimes there is
no dividing line and confusion begins. Even with a dividing line it is
extremely easy to turn into the wrong lane. Again, the brain really has to
be focused.
At present I am going through the adjustment for about the 4th time and I
have a small placard attached to my steering wheel with a dividing line
pointing in the direction I am going. On the left side of that dividing
line I have a very noticeable arrow pointing forwards, so that I will have
guidance if panic is on the way.
Until I find my headlamps I will be doing little driving. The car is not
even registered yet.
BTW, I am in Ireland these days.
Seum
2011-04-20 17:00:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by DAS
Seum, you still haven't told us to where you have breought your car.
Britain?
BTW, my accidents have had nothing to with 'side'. I have been driving all
combos of steering wheel position and side-of-road for decades without any
problems. Maybe when I reach old age it will become more difficult... :-)
DAS
Oooppss!! DAS. I have a habit of leaving things out :-(

I ordered the car in Germany, from California about Oct. 1983. Shsssh.
It cost me just about $10,000 + about $4,000 (really robbery) to bring
it "up to US standards." However, I did not complain because the almost
identical car bought locally in USA sold for about $29,000.

A few months later the car was finished in Germany and shipped to San
Francisco. It had to go though some tests and modifications to meet US
laws and a few weeks later it was registered in CA and I was happily
driving :-) and that continues today. The only real problem I had with
that car was that I was ignorant of the habit of US filling stations
allowing water into the diesel fuel. After about 12 months of driving I
was going home one day when the engine began to sputter. Fortunately
there was a good space just off the road and I parked it there. I asked
the local MBenz garage to tow it in.

Next morning I came by and was told that my tank and fuel lines were
packed with algae. That was the first time I ever knew about water in
the fuel and the algae. The system was cleaned out and afterwards I used
an additive, when filling the tank, and to mop up the water. No problems
after that.

That was the first and last time for that car that someone else had to
work on it. Afterwards it was my baby and still is. So the total garage
work on that 27 year old car cost me about $120.

So far as accidents are concerned, I have been driving cars, mostly in
USA, since 1963 (48 years) and I have never had to make an insurance
claim. Not such a bad record :-)

PS shuuuussshhhh. I am 74 and still very alert, except for about 8 hours
at night.
DAS
2011-04-20 19:05:41 UTC
Permalink
Hi Seum

OK.... so for what is that discussion about lights? Germany drives on right,
US (incl California...) drives on right. Why were we discussing road
'sides'? What is the issue?

BTW, what do you mean by US filling stations "allowing water into the diesel
fuel"? How so?

Regards.
DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Seum
Post by DAS
Seum, you still haven't told us to where you have breought your car.
Britain?
BTW, my accidents have had nothing to with 'side'. I have been driving
all combos of steering wheel position and side-of-road for decades
without any problems. Maybe when I reach old age it will become more
difficult... :-)
DAS
Oooppss!! DAS. I have a habit of leaving things out :-(
I ordered the car in Germany, from California about Oct. 1983. Shsssh. It
cost me just about $10,000 + about $4,000 (really robbery) to bring it "up
to US standards." However, I did not complain because the almost identical
car bought locally in USA sold for about $29,000.
A few months later the car was finished in Germany and shipped to San
Francisco. It had to go though some tests and modifications to meet US
laws and a few weeks later it was registered in CA and I was happily
driving :-) and that continues today. The only real problem I had with
that car was that I was ignorant of the habit of US filling stations
allowing water into the diesel fuel. After about 12 months of driving I
was going home one day when the engine began to sputter. Fortunately there
was a good space just off the road and I parked it there. I asked the
local MBenz garage to tow it in.
Next morning I came by and was told that my tank and fuel lines were
packed with algae. That was the first time I ever knew about water in the
fuel and the algae. The system was cleaned out and afterwards I used an
additive, when filling the tank, and to mop up the water. No problems
after that.
That was the first and last time for that car that someone else had to
work on it. Afterwards it was my baby and still is. So the total garage
work on that 27 year old car cost me about $120.
So far as accidents are concerned, I have been driving cars, mostly in
USA, since 1963 (48 years) and I have never had to make an insurance
claim. Not such a bad record :-)
PS shuuuussshhhh. I am 74 and still very alert, except for about 8 hours
at night.
Tiger
2011-04-21 03:05:33 UTC
Permalink
He moved to Ireland with his car...
Seum
2011-04-21 11:58:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
He moved to Ireland with his car...
That wasn't the first time. Before my 240D I had a Mercedes Benz 190D.
I used it in Ireland for 12 years and then returned to USA to live again
and to get the 240D I have been blabbering about recently. I never had
any problem with the water in the fuel in Ireland.

About the additive: I just visited my car to look at the bottle I had
been using in California.

Info from the bottle:
Red Line brand
85 Plus Diesel Fuel Enhancer
with
Cetaine booster and Fuel lubricant.

I did a web search and didn't get much on Red Line. It's very common in USA.
Seum
2011-04-21 11:45:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by DAS
Hi Seum
OK.... so for what is that discussion about lights? Germany drives on right,
US (incl California...) drives on right. Why were we discussing road
'sides'? What is the issue?
Ireland and the UK drive on the left side of the roads. Right now I wish
it was on the right side right of the road.
Post by DAS
BTW, what do you mean by US filling stations "allowing water into the diesel
fuel"? How so?
Regards.
DAS
I don't really know how the water gets into the fuel - most likely it is
from the condensation in the fuel tanks as the level of the fuel drops
and some air, with moisture of course, gets in. An unlikely reason is
that the stations are trying to get a little more cash by adding some
water to the fuel.
DAS
2011-04-21 12:11:29 UTC
Permalink
1. Maybe I missed it, but nowhere was it clear to me (until now) about which
countries we were talking, except that the car was acquired in/from DE
(Germany, not Delaware). Anyway, if the glass directs the light to the
'wrong' side of the road, masking tape...

2. You're right, deliberate addition of water is unlikely. If found out
the suppliers would be subject to lawsuits at the level of tens of millions
of dollars. And how are US diesel pumps different to those in rest of
world?
How did you find out it was water causing your problem?

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
Post by Seum
Post by DAS
Hi Seum
OK.... so for what is that discussion about lights? Germany drives on
right, US (incl California...) drives on right. Why were we discussing
road 'sides'? What is the issue?
Ireland and the UK drive on the left side of the roads. Right now I wish
it was on the right side right of the road.
Post by DAS
BTW, what do you mean by US filling stations "allowing water into the
diesel fuel"? How so?
Regards.
DAS
I don't really know how the water gets into the fuel - most likely it is
from the condensation in the fuel tanks as the level of the fuel drops and
some air, with moisture of course, gets in. An unlikely reason is that the
stations are trying to get a little more cash by adding some water to the
fuel.
Cordy
2011-04-21 13:57:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by DAS
2. You're right, deliberate addition of water is unlikely. If found
out the suppliers would be subject to lawsuits at the level of tens of
millions of dollars. And how are US diesel pumps different to those in
rest of world?
It can happen that water finds a way to pollute tanks in distribution and
in shops, unfortunately. And the repair might be extremely expensive
(especially with NEW hi-pressure systems!!).

Loading Image...

This kind of filter was a standard feature for MANY diesel engines, in
the past. As you can see from the picture, it's very easy to spill water
away from the bottom of the filter. AFAIR it was installed standard for
north african markets.

But I don't see one of these filters in an engine compartment since... the
'70s? Yes, probably the '70s... :-)
Maybe the fuel production lines and distribution chain offer a much
higher level of confidence.
--
Ciao!

Stefano
Roland Franzius
2011-04-21 14:18:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Cordy
Post by DAS
2. You're right, deliberate addition of water is unlikely. If found
out the suppliers would be subject to lawsuits at the level of tens of
millions of dollars. And how are US diesel pumps different to those in
rest of world?
It can happen that water finds a way to pollute tanks in distribution and
in shops, unfortunately. And the repair might be extremely expensive
(especially with NEW hi-pressure systems!!).
http://www.gommonauti.it/imm/17493-1295851187.jpg
This kind of filter was a standard feature for MANY diesel engines, in
the past. As you can see from the picture, it's very easy to spill water
away from the bottom of the filter. AFAIR it was installed standard for
north african markets.
But I don't see one of these filters in an engine compartment since... the
'70s? Yes, probably the '70s... :-)
Maybe the fuel production lines and distribution chain offer a much
higher level of confidence.
With high humidity or high temperature volatility water is condensing
from the air in the tanks. Its an everyday problem for boat diesels and
jets. One uses anti-algae additive and the tanks need to be cleaned
regularly.

Perhaps no problem in Ireland, the temperature there is nearly
constant, day and night, summer and winter, but a problem in California
or at the Mediterranean with day-night differences of 30 K or more.
--
Roland Franzius
Seum
2011-04-21 14:41:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Cordy
Post by DAS
2. You're right, deliberate addition of water is unlikely. If found
out the suppliers would be subject to lawsuits at the level of tens of
millions of dollars. And how are US diesel pumps different to those in
rest of world?
It can happen that water finds a way to pollute tanks in distribution and
in shops, unfortunately. And the repair might be extremely expensive
(especially with NEW hi-pressure systems!!).
http://www.gommonauti.it/imm/17493-1295851187.jpg
This kind of filter was a standard feature for MANY diesel engines, in
the past. As you can see from the picture, it's very easy to spill water
away from the bottom of the filter. AFAIR it was installed standard for
north african markets.
But I don't see one of these filters in an engine compartment since... the
'70s? Yes, probably the '70s... :-)
Maybe the fuel production lines and distribution chain offer a much
higher level of confidence.
Filters still exist - at least in my car. The fuel line comes into the
engine compartment and then enters a small transparent filter, so that
one can see the fuel. It costs little and I replace this every few
months. Next the line heads down to the manual pump attached to the
engine low down. Then it comes back up again and into a larger Bosch
filter - about 3" diameter and a little longer. This filter is somewhat
similar to the one you showed but it is not transparent. I change this
filter about once per year. From there the fuel line goes to the
injector pump.
Cordy
2011-04-21 15:28:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Seum
Filters still exist - at least in my car. The fuel line comes into the
engine compartment and then enters a small transparent filter, so that
one can see the fuel. It costs little and I replace this every few
months. Next the line heads down to the manual pump attached to the
engine low down. Then it comes back up again and into a larger Bosch
filter - about 3" diameter and a little longer. This filter is somewhat
similar to the one you showed but it is not transparent. I change this
filter about once per year. From there the fuel line goes to the
injector pump.
Of course. You have a "line filter" (the small, plastic, connected on the
rubber hose), the "main filter" with a replaceable cartridge. In addition
to those two, for example on large trucks that operate in wet areas or
for Caterpillars is added a third "decanter filter" (I hope *decanter* is
the right word, I'm Italian...), to SEPARATE fuel from water and dust,
sand, small stones, rust etc.
It was common in cars (Opel and Mercs, mainly) until the end of the '70s,
as mentioned. Than, it has disappeared. I always wonder if it's a matter
of cost or safety...
--
Ciao!

Stefano
Seum
2011-04-21 14:21:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by DAS
1. Maybe I missed it, but nowhere was it clear to me (until now) about which
countries we were talking, except that the car was acquired in/from DE
(Germany, not Delaware). Anyway, if the glass directs the light to the
'wrong' side of the road, masking tape...
2. You're right, deliberate addition of water is unlikely. If found out
the suppliers would be subject to lawsuits at the level of tens of millions
of dollars. And how are US diesel pumps different to those in rest of
world?
How did you find out it was water causing your problem?
DAS
After about a year in California the car started to sputter when I was
driving home. The engine conked out and I had to have the car towed to
the nearest 1984 Mercedes Benz garage. I was told that the reason for
the problem was that the tank was filled up with algae - just like small
seaweed plants. I had to have the whole system purged and after that I
started to use the additives and all has been well ever since.
DAS
2011-04-21 15:22:35 UTC
Permalink
Oh, yes. You did say that yesterday. Thanks. My galloping decrepitude.

So it happened once... you did make that rather broad assertion about US
filling stations, but I guess you were being flippant... (given the
attitudes in the US, at least until fairly recently, towards diesel I am
ready to believe almost anything, even not on 1st April...). :-)

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
"Seum" <***@nowhere.con> wrote in message
[...]
Post by Seum
After about a year in California the car started to sputter when I was
driving home. The engine conked out and I had to have the car towed to the
nearest 1984 Mercedes Benz garage. I was told that the reason for the
problem was that the tank was filled up with algae - just like small
seaweed plants. I had to have the whole system purged and after that I
started to use the additives and all has been well ever since.
Cordy
2011-04-21 08:45:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Seum
Next morning I came by and was told that my tank and fuel lines were
packed with algae. That was the first time I ever knew about water in
the fuel and the algae. The system was cleaned out and afterwards I used
an additive, when filling the tank, and to mop up the water. No problems
after that.
Can I kindly ask you which additive you've been using? Tks.
--
Ciao!

Stefano
Seum
2011-04-22 08:16:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Cordy
Post by Seum
Next morning I came by and was told that my tank and fuel lines were
packed with algae. That was the first time I ever knew about water in
the fuel and the algae. The system was cleaned out and afterwards I used
an additive, when filling the tank, and to mop up the water. No problems
after that.
Can I kindly ask you which additive you've been using? Tks.
About the additive: I just visited my car to look at the bottle I had
been using in California.

Info from the bottle:
Red Line brand
85 Plus Diesel Fuel Enhancer
with
Cetaine booster and Fuel lubricant.

I did a web search and didn't get much on Red Line. It's very common in USA.
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