2012 Mazda BT50 Fuel Filter

Helmut,

Can't help you with advice about filters specific to the BT-50. I thought aftermarket filters were pretty generic - just buy one that fits and that can handle the fuel flow of your fuel system.

As far as repairs are concerned, you might be covered by your comprehensive insurance. Get a written statement from the dealer that the damage was due to contaminated fuel. Present that with a claim to your insurance company. See how you go.

If you have receipts for your last fuel fill with the providers name on it, that could help too.

Good luck

Helmut,

There are a myriad of filters available for use as a pre filter, after market filters aren't generic and often they are made to specifically do certain tasks. They vary from about
2 micron size up to 30 micron size. The 30 micron is pretty useless when talking about a CRD engine and won't dewater the fuel to any extent so fibreglass flywire is probably as good for a CRD.

The idea is to have one which Filters close to the fineness of the OE filter, has a dewatering ability, can catch drops of water which collect in the bowl and has a flow rate far greater than the OE filter so it has a reserve of "free water collection" and crap collection capacity before it begins to restrict flow.
It should also not negate the sensors which detect fuel flow, ie restriction or water detection provided by the manufacturer.

Although you can use a very fine filter as a PRE, it has to have a huge filtering area for it NOT to cause a restriction to normal flow. If fine but small filter medium area it will have a short service life before it blocks or restricts.
Some vehicles have an intank pump and others are purely suction into the high pressure pump unit.

Some Watch for Water and are branded that way and are good at it but they don't attempt to filter emulsified water out of the fuel or really filter the fuel. You have to take immediate action or (before that if possible) to prevent emulsified water from going into the system.

The OE system should have warned if water was there and it appears it has but also allowed some through if HP pump and injector damage has resulted.

I agree the insurance or fuel company may be at fault but also the performance of the OE filtering is SUS if allowing it to happen so easily. Always get a receipt and keep it. A digital pic of the servo if possible, people hate neg publicity.

There are a few things which you can do to maximize your filtering but they aren't what others normally recognize or endorse.
Under a BT50 there is plenty of room to fit two parallel plumbed additional filter units to dewater, prefilter fine rubbish, catch water drops, and still provide far more flow than just one filter can.
That maximizes the filtering because the filters have twice the area and the flow through rate is halved and the filters have twice the dewatering ability and catch ability and also provide half the restriction a single filter unit would cause. not much anyway.

That leaves the OE filter to do it's designed function without being bombarded with water and crap and leaves all it's sensor ability still operational as intended.

Many filter fitters, even some "professional ones don't observe all the operational concepts and don't fully understand how the system works and sometimes their recommendations aren't as good as they intend.
Perhaps they don't make themselves fully aware of what they are working on.

If held up in the scrub with dodgy fuel just replacing one filter can get you going and proper service can be done later, and not in the desert.
Under $300 for the gear will have you on your way with two spare filters.

There is lots more in depth concepts to consider not shown at the moment.

Just remember, nothing is perfect and anything can fail, it just shouldn't under normal use.

Cheers
Ross M

have a3.2 ranger on order,asked dealer about a pre-filter,none available from ford,if i put any filters on eg as advertised in 4x4 magazines,could loose my warranty if they say that the pre filter causes a problem,i myself could not prove otherwise,would be a battle between ford and the filter manufacturer or supplier ,do not need these dramas,any suggestions would be helpful to me,and hopefully to helmut h bye barry

Hi Helmut H,
I noticed that you said the dealer (drained) the filter. Why did he not replace it with a new one?? Draining it would only be a short term fix.
I always carry a spare one as you never know when you will need it.
Cheers Andy

Hello Helmut,
I researched one for my 3.2L Ranger and the one I have bought is the Racor445R2 from Western Air Services. I have not fitted it as yet. I will be using 2micron filters (sourced from the US as the aussie prices are rediculous).The unit is a reasonable size because of the 2 micron filters, so it provides a large surface area to maintain the flow. I am currently looking at the inlet and outlet connection hoses to match the ranger. They exist as I was shown them when I was in Darwin last year.

Regards
Maggsie

$10,560 for repairs and people wonder why I will never sell by GU 4.2DT. I can rebuild the entire engine for less than that. I do love the new stuff but I tell you, longevity I think is a thing of the past. Not to mention the cost of repairs, when 1 injector costs a grand and god knows how much for a pump overhaul. My old girl might be a bit more thirsty but I reckon it'll still be going when all these new whiz bangs will be long dead and buried.

Thanks every one for their replies. Lots of food for thoughts. A bit of background on the story. I have been traveling WA for 20 odd years in a Defender, with either Rooftent and later with a T-van. Never had any problems with fuel, not even from Outback Stations.
Last year I bought the BT50 and a slide on camper.I didn't want to tow a trailer any more.
I had offered the outfit to some German friends to travel to Melbourne, I was to fly there and return with the Car. We had spent 2 days going over the car, camper and the manual.
The Guy is a very mechanicly minded person.
I had instructed the Mazda Dealer to have a good look at the car at 28030 k's and carry out the 30000 service, as the car was to be on the road for 6 to 7000 k's. The invoice shows draining water and cleaning fluid for the fuel lines and injectors.
8 days into the 4 week trip the car broke down. My friends had to hire a car and pay for their overnight stays for the remeinder, as the camper is stuck in Port Augusta. All up in excess of $ 3000.00. They are also to afraid to leave the Blacktop.
The warning light started flashing every now and then just before Port Lincoln. The manual states to drive to the nearest Mazda Service center. I now realise thats not the case, one should stop, drain , change the filter and inspect the fuel. The Port Lincoln Dealer should have done that.
Mazda in Sydney told me to speak with the Dealer,the Dealers tells me to speak with Mazda! I was told the cost is that high because it is Mazda policy to change the whole fuel delivery system in order to keep future Warranty claims alive.
A very helpfull Nathan Lowe from MTQ Engine Systems in Adelaide said the cost could come down a fair bit, as they would only change damaged parts and their injectors are allmost half the Mazda price. He also sourced a pre-filter suitable for The Ranger and BT50, 3.2 l , which I have ordered and will install prior to returning to WA.
I did have a lucky brake, my Insurer is covering the cost of the repairs. I am still out for the extended towing charge (850.00) and hire car from Melbourne to Port Augusta.
My friends are far worse off. Their Australian Holliday turned into an expensive nightmare.
I am very happy with the BT50, but Mazda's service procedures and the hand balling of Warranty claims are disgusting.
Thanks again to every one for their contribution, they will be of great help in my future travels.
Helmut

Hi there,

Haven't got the details for the filter here,there at work, will post tomorrow. Nathan Lowe from MTQ Engine Systems in Adelaide seems to know about the Ranger and BT 50 requirements. He was very help full.
Insurance company is RAC in WA, the claim was handled by an Assessor from Sydney, some connection with the RAC called Innovation. After the initial quote and some pics of the filter he received from Mazda Port Augusta, he requested some more pics. If it had not been the public holiday period, it would have been a lot faster. They normally have a 48 hr turn around.
I hadn't realised, that fuel contamination might be covered by the full cover. The service manager (its a female) in P.A. had mentioned the fact that it might be. That's about the only positive thing I got out of all the Mazda Service people.
I am looking forward to the trip back, just having a look to see what's interesting between P.Augusta and Ceduna to spend some time there. Have not been that far east on the road since 74. Shame that I miss out on the GOR and some parts in Victoria I had planed.
There is always next time.
Helmut

Hi all,
Just picked up the filter kit. Made in USA, "Stanadine" Diesel Fuel Filter Assembly 42093.
Looks very well made. $ 264.00, cheaper than online.
to look on the net, www.dieselfilters.com.au/diesel-water-separators.html
or just type " Direction Plus Fuel Filters"
Seems easy to install before I travel back.

Helmut

Helmut.....I would make two recommendations. Firstly, buy yourself a Mr Funnel Fuel Filter and carry it everywhere with you. I usually run the first 15-20 ltrs through the funnel and then just pump directly into the tank if there is no water present.

Secondly, fit a water separator like Water Watch upstream of your OEM fuel filter. This will forewarn you long before any water gets into you OEM filter and loooooooooooooooong before any damage can be done to those more expensive parts like the rail and its fittings, injectors and fuel pump.

PS: You can buy a handy carry bag for the Mr Funnel at Punkinhead Air Sports.