Have recently just had issues with algae in my diesel fuel tank. It first started about 8 -10 weeks ago when on a drive back from Toowoomba to Brissie I suddenly had a lack of power just barely noticible at first but within a couple of minutes it got worse until i pulled over in an emergency stopping bay and the engine completely stalled.....tried starting again but no good.. popped the bonnet to look for any issues there....looked fine... got back in tried to start and it started.... little rough at first but came good..... so continued driving... about 10kms later same thing happens. I pulled over again let it sit for 5 mins or so then started again, Seemed like a fuel issue to me (starving) still had 1/4 tank left but manage
d to get to a servo and filled up.... well for 10 weeks i never had a drama.... I spoke to toyota but they couldnt shed too much light on what it may have been so with a service due next week i thought i would have them check it out properly
Never got to the service and this week I had the same problem on my way to work once again with about 1/4 tank left. So with a big trip across the simpson planned in august I had the car towed straight to toyota to diagnose the problem while it was happening.....well long story short i have/had a Diesel bug which has completely blocked my Fuel pickup which has a nylon sock/filter on the bottom. This nylon sock is not replaceable so had to fit a new pickup/sender unit ($340) and drain and flush the tank and fuel lines also replace the fuel filter. I will now run a biocide through the tank to kill any left over algae and replace the filter again in a few weeks.
Glad they got to the bottom of the problem now!! could do with out these kind of issues on a big outback trip somewhere!!!
Some photos below of the fuel pickup.
