[Vwdiesel] 02 GOLF STARTS/DIES

[William J Toensing]

I don't know where the owner of the '02 Golf lives but if the car has lived in a hot humid area, you could have algae growth. I have been interested in diesels since the early '60s but didn't own my first diesel till I bought a new Rabbit in 1979. In the '80s, I learned of a magazine which has regretfully  folded in the '80s, called "Diesel Car Digest".  One of the problems they discussed was algae growth. They pointed out that if the fuel temperature got over 93 degrees F., that algae would grow if there was any water in the diesel fuel. Algae growth results in a dark green slime. I didn't pay attention to that warning until one summer day in LA, I limped home with practically no power. I then towed it to the local VW dealer who told me the algae buildup had clogged the fuel lines & filter. After that experience, I became a believer in adding a biocide to my diesel fuel, winter or summer & had never had any trouble since. I also regularly added Amsoil "Diesel Fuel Modifier" to the diesels I have owned & had no injector problems that many in Calif. had when Calif. mandated low sulfur diesel back in the later '80s. During that period I have owned  an '83 Nissan Sentra diesel, a Mazda 626 diesel and Peugeot 505 & 604 diesels & still own a 1979 Citroen CX 2500 Palas diesel. The biocide I used is Biobar JH which I bought over 20 years ago while living in LA, which I bought in an auto/marine parts store. A little biocide goes a long ways, a couple drops per tank & I still have 3/4ths of a can still left. I don't know if Biobar is still in business but you should be able to buy  biocide at a marina, boat parts house, or a truck stop. Amsoil, as far as I know, did not add a biocide to their Diesel Fuel Modifier so I would spike it with a biocide before using it.

Again, I would suggest anyone posting after signing their  name add where they live, as often, problems can be related to the area or region where they live. Where I live gelling & rust are usually not a problem but in colder climates are.

Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA