Diesel Fuel

Hi Ian and Pen

Are you asking about diesel to be purchased from Aboriginal communities on the way to the Kimberley? We have had no problems with diesel, but I have heard reports about problems with outback petrol for sensitive vehicles because the turnover is not great as most outback vehicles are diesel.

Motherhen

I guess I (admit) I place my query on a 4WD course just completed where the instructors recommend? (suggest) a fuel filter be carried. We want to get there and back with as much fun as we can muster, come back and make babies and have an entry into the Guiness book of records (for the babies that is). And while waiting!! look at photo's of the trip.
But yes fuel filter light comes on at 20K.

Thanks for ur answer

Ian and Pen.
We did our Kimberley trip last year. I envy you, it was magic.
We picked up dirty fuel on the Kimberley. I think it was Imintji but it could have been another. I had an extra fuel filter installed which allowed me to drive on to Kununurra.

I have not used a Mr Funnel. One thing to consider though is that at those stations there are often a queue, everybody wanting to get on with their journey. I don't know what their attitude will be towards someone filling up (and taking longer) with a Mr Funnel.

But still, if I was you I'd definitely take some kind of precaution.

Enjoy your trip!

CJ

Hi Ian & Pen. I also have 200 series and have had issues with fuel filiter warning. Not as you described, but it was doing the job it was supposed to. We are going to the Kimberley in September and I'll be taking x2 Spare fuel filters. We picked up dirty fuel in Paynes Find last time and it was a headache.
My mate works at Toyota and is tight with the mechanics. On one visit the guy gave me a few pointers and said it is worth purging the filter housing regularly to keep the sensor from over reactiing. It gets all the sediment out of the housing thus helps prolong the life of the filter.

Hi Ian

On my V8 diesel landcruiser (its a ute but same motor) I have two spare fuel filters vacuum packed with me at all times. Also you need to familiarise yourself with how to change the filter as it is inside a canister and requires an Allen key. Plus there is a method of getting that light to turn off after changing the filter.

I carry a Mr Funnel with me at all times. I have picked up dirty fuel in Meekatharra once when the town was really low and only one outlet still had some fuel. Took weeks of purging to get rid of the diesel algae. Wish I had of run the fuel through the Mr Funnel first but I did not have one back then.

I also have a "Water Fuel Watch" system installed on my fuel line. An audible alarm will sound off in the cab if there is even one drop of water detected in the fuel long before it gets to the motor.

So yes - take care of your motor - its a long walk back.

Cheers

Serendipity

Thanks heaps Pal, I think your answer is the one to take heed off!! Better be safe than sorry, the peeps queing behind me at the Bowser will have to be patient. They could well be thankful if we meet them on the dirt and need good fuel to keep them going!!!!!!

We use a Mr filter everywhere as there's always a chance of sediment being picked up particularly if there has been a large fuel drop into the underground tanks in the last few hours or so. We've seen dodgy fuel in plenty of places and with the extremely low tolerance to it with all direct injection engines it's a cheap piece of insurance when you appreciate the cost and havoc bad fuel can create

If you get the right capacity Mr Filter you can pour straight in from the pump and there's virtually no loss of filling performance

Always carry a spare fuel filter or two. They can be used at subsequent services

Regards

RobA

Thanks roba

Having had a fuel contamination issue in the past which cost the insuranve company heaps I have always fitted a pre filter & water trap, for the few hundred dollars it gives you peace of mind just check the bowl a few klms after fueling up. A 200 series with a contamination issue will usually cost into the high $ teens to fix so take every precaution can.
Cheers Jim