Prado Fuel System Overhaul

I would be going to get a second/ third opinion at a diesel specialist that is a lot of money!

These D4D models had injector problems with leaky seals, carbon buildup etc.

Look on pradopoint.com in the relevant section (engine diesel) and read the many pages detailing the problems these things are causing.

Lots of things to check before you spend that kind of money.

bill

You should ask the dealer what type of contamination is the problem, ask them for the evidence.

Water?
Particulate material?
Other liquid solvent material? hard to detect. the presence of that. (unikely)

If it is then what is wrong with the vehicle warning systems?

Most dealers, if not all, have little or no ability to say which it is, therefore they say fuel contamination as a reason.

As mentioned above. When faults arise:
The real issue may be failed injectors, Very common.
Leaking injectors, Very common.

Toyota don't like admitting to that though and so instantly blame contamination.
Contamination is possible but it should also be evident it has happened.

Without really knowing the situation it is all just a guessing game.
$11000 is way over charging for that work.

A friend of mine was able to claim the damage done to his Landcruiser by contaminated fuel through his comprehensive insurance, it was a similar amount.

Hi Brett

Thats a lot of money , but not unreasonable if the entire fuel system has to be re-done
which usually means fixed fuel lines as well.

You have probably read on this site that diesel fuel system overhauls are much more of an issue than with petrol, they do happen a bit due to contamination and figures up to $20k to fix have been required.

Like other posters though I'd want to know more before laying out the money.

In your case though you appear to have time to sort it out and faced with that sort of figure there are actions you could take e.g. a clean and replace the injectors is something you could do , you might fix it , if its in fuel pump probably not, but I would suggest that you could find the issue well before spending 11k.

Don't know if you like to play with cars as I do but things like code reader can help work thru issues.
I would also try a higher cetane fuel and see if that lessens the problem.
Sometimes these things can be corrected simply particularly if just a small amount of contamination has occurred.

For far more informative information without the shock and horror I would post yr question on the land cruiser forum.

But it does sound about right.

Hi Brett and Julie,

I just checked with my Insurance Company (RAC) for peace of mind and they advised that in the event of contaminated fuel or even putting the wrong fuel in my tank I am covered. Worth looking into your policy. $11000 that would just about get you a new motor!

Mick

I think it's not too far off the mark for a dealer quote for just the injectors and a clean-out. But contaminated fuel usually buggers the HP pump. I'd be expecting at least another $4K or more for that.

My dealer picked up faulty injectors in my D4D under warranty in 2009. I saw the internal bill from him to Toyota - $7000.00. That would be wholesale labour, etc, so I imagine the retail bill to me if I had had to pay would have been much higher and not far off the $11,000 you have been quoted.

Fo info, if Toyota does the work any high pressure pipeline that is disturbed is replaced - Toyota consider them a one-shot item. That adds to the cost.

DIY injector replacement on these engines is not for the faint-hearted. They are inside the rocker cover and I believe a camshaft must be removed for access, so you're looking at major work - stripping down the top of the engine. Correct handling of and torquing up the HP pipework is critical.

The seals that were mentioned - if one of those has leaked the injector will be glued into its well in the head with carbonised oil and you'll need to expend A LOT of grief to get the bugger out.

And if that is the case you should drop the sump and inspect the oil pick-up for blockage from carbonised oil/soot particles caused by blowby carbonising oil around the injector. The particles get carried down to the sump where they are picked up by the oil pump strainer. If the strainer is not cleaned it may end up starving the engine of oil with subsequent total failure.

Unfortunately not all dealers are fully clued up on these engines. I would seek a second opinion from a reputable diesel mechanic. The D4D has been around long enough for non-Toyota mechanics to have some experience on those engines. You may get a more in-depth analysis from a bloke with dirty hands than you will from a PR bloke in a collar and tie gehind a service desk.

Cheers

What gets up my goat, is the fuel filter under the bonnet, in the service book, it never gets replaced, what is the point of that! When mine gets serviced, I always tell them to change it. Have been told by a toyota mechanic, who is family friend, always get it done! Maybe I'm wasting my cash, but time will tell.. Cheers

You should've bought an old TD4.2 Nissan Patrol only fuses and filters to worry about
thats all.
cheers Honest

So did you go back to the last servo you filled up at? I always get a tax invoice and write the odometer reading on the back. They have insurance for that sort of thing! It's no different from an electrician falling through your kitchen ceiling! They are all insured. Michael

Thanks everyone! We only just bought this car with 90,000km and full service history, it was the cleanest used car I'd ever seen and just been serviced too. It seems like insurance is going to cover it so I guess I'll put this one down to experience.

I agree with comments about fuel filter systems obviously being inadequate for CRD engines. I'll certainly be looking at aftermarket filter systems. Life's funny though isn't it? We've had a GQ Patrol for 14 years and done many trips all over Australia, change fuel filter regularly and never had any bad fuel. We have the Prado for a few weeks and get a batch of bad fuel from a servo in Melbourne.

cheers B & J