Bad Fuel

[2RODS]

Brendon... I didn't worry about the water probe...I might if it needs it later down the track.... I pop the bonnet on the lux every 2nd day and have a look at everything so any water ect I should see.

I have only just fitted the Racor a few days ago... I did it and went with the 2micron filter as that is what the local diesel specialists recomend (and fit to all the hilux's that they work on)(premier fuel injection)

The factory filter is 2micron as well (as far as I know) and yes the flow rates are very good... the paperwork that came with it show NO drop in flow for water contamination.... and minimal for particulate.

All up the Racor seemed to be the pick of what I looked at. The primer pump is super fast and makes life easy too. Time will tell. But if I do the racor every 10000kms and the factory every 20000kms I should be fine and have piece of mind. I just can't afford to spend $9-$10000 on a rebuilt pump ect.

If you didn't want to go down to 2 micron you could always go with the older style CAV296 filter but they are around 10micron from memory.... 5 micron would be ideal but hard to find one (if they make them even).

I have used all sorts of filters with work and the Racors that I have used have always been good. I use one on the boat as well... the only bad thing is the price of the darn things.

[9W6VX]

Paul,

Thanks for the reply.

Does the Racor have a recommended replacement schedule?

Cheers

Brendon

[2RODS]

Not as far as I know... I am just going to do it at 10000kms to be sure. But I am going into the Racor dealer this week so I will ask them what they recommend.

The water probe would be a good idea the more I think about it.... at least you might get an indication from it BEFORE the factory one gets a gut full of water?

I might see what they are worth while I am there as well.

[9W6VX]

Good idea.

Let us know how much the water probe costs.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Brendon

[bms]

Thanks 2RODS for the info very much appreciated and will be good to know how it goes

Water probe does sound worthwhile

[2RODS]

I dropped into the Racor dealer today to find out about water probes and service intervals ....

Service intervals for the 445R are on condition...so they said up to 20000kms/12months would be OK if we are using good clean fuel....so every 10000kms will keep my mind at ease.

I am waiting for a price on the probe and dash kit... seems the dash kit has 3 lights??? green yellow and red.

Green = all good
Yellow = water
Red = stop and drain

That is how they explained it but they didn't have any there to look at or play with.... I will post up more info when I get it. Oh and they couldn't give me a price on it yet....

[9W6VX]

Paul,

Thanks for the additional info.

Cheers

[TOMUCH]

I priced a new Toyota filter housing assembly today... was told it was about $110... it is fitted with the probes... might just simply run two of these (original and another) in series... the firts one will give an indication if there is water... and the two filters should stop any rubbish from getting through... will look into it more when I get home... Cheers TOMUCH

[bj343]

TOMUCH would you just wire up the 2 probes together or have a second warning light in the cab.

[bj343]

FAYI, I have spoken to opposite lock with regards to their replacement fuel tanks 150ltr main 154ltr sub (replaces spare wheel) and they informed me they can fit a pump/filter/water probe with the tanks.

[2RODS]

Racor dealer got back to me this week with a price for the water probe...$138inc GST and it is just 1 light that you mount on the dash somewhere..

Of more interest was a Pressure differential meter that tells you if your filter is getting clogged up...I didn't get a price on one yet but for those people using drum stock for there fuel it would be a good asset to have IMHO...

They also dropped the prive of the filter elliments to $53 inc GST.

more food for thought

[9W6VX]

Paul,

Thanks for the follow up info.

Brendon

[fox]

Filtering fuel at the tank inlet is common in lots of stationary engines. Water is not hard to catch. However a mesh may cause some frothing which may slow down the filling process.

[Doug67]

I went to a Toyota service department the other day and there was a pamphlet on the desk for the D4D motors regarding bad fuel and water contamination,stating that if you suspect bad fuel or the light comes on the dash contact Toyota do not drive your 4b. Also Biodiesel saying they approve 5% if it meets the "National Deisel Fuel Standard EN590"

[Rich]

Has anyone who has had a problem with water / Bad Diesel noticed if the fuel light (not the low fuel warning light, the other light saying that your standard water trap is full) come on?

In the Hilux manual it says there is a fuel light that comes on if you have water in the fuel.

If you stopped driving when the light come on, would that prevent major damage does anyone know?


Rich.

[2RODS]

It should do Rich but like all warning lights they are usually called "too late lights" if you got a big gut full of water there is every chance that it would be through and into the pump and injectors ect by the time the light came on.

If it were only a small amount of water it should work as you would expect. There is a small probe in the bottom of the filter assy that has 2 pins (for want of another word) and when water covers them it completes the circuit and the light comes on. (basic description)

I have seen a diesel pump 1/2 way down the Stuart Hiway pump out nearly straight water....I filled a truck tank with 800ltrs of the sh*t... got about 400mtrs down the road and cough cough stop.... light for the filter came on but by then it was all over... took me hours in the hot sun to drain it all and get going again...then I had to nearly punch the servo owner to get them to refill me for free:o

[TOMUCH]

Rich, that light did come on when I had trouble... I immediately pulled over and drained the filter bowl.... I then drove approx 50km to the next town and drained the tank... 140L... was not happy Jan.....so i had a jerry can of fuel and flushed a few liters through...I then went back into town and filled the tank again... got about 150 km down the road... no warning light.. and the engine stopped like I had just turned off the ignition...it was that quick... and bingo new pump...I am definately going to put a primary filter in place... and rig it up to the warning light ...and maybe a buzzer..then at least I will have a better chance of catching it... Also I would recommend carrying a spare filter where ever you travel... they are only cheap... and i will be using a biocide...just in case... Cheers TOMUCH

[Rich]

Ok, so the word is to act quickly if the fuel light comes on.

How much water came out of the filter bowl?

Also, How do you drain a standard tank (in case this happens to me), is there a drain point on it?

Rich.

[Doug67]

Rich

Good luck draining a standard tank, quickest way would be to drill a hole on the bloody thing and fill with some chewy. It's no easy task the tank would need to come out, there's no drain plug and anti siphan filler pipe.

[Rich]

Hmmm, that does not make things easy.

I checked my water trap in the fuel filter today to see if there was any water - All good and no sign of water.

I notice water sinks to the bottom when mixed with diesel, so I assume if you get bad fuel you won't know until your tank is close to empty????

Depending on how much water you get of course?
Rich.