Diesel Fuel Contamination follow up Post 49946

Both my LN106 Lux and 100 series have an audible water alarm as standard? But in any of these systems it will not alarm at the first sign of water. Water accumulates in the water trap and when it gets to a certain level it goes off.

Tks pedro, Are you saying that in 9000kms of various outlet fills there is no evidence of ANYwater or is it just that there is some but not sufficient to trigger the alarm. With the glass inspection bowl can you see any evidence of 'clag' growth.

Tks peter r , Despite there being evidence of very little water etc in the trap, I will go ahead and get one of these because that installer is just over the border. It wil probably be good insurance for when I'm filling up in the wop wops.

In practice, the water settles out on the BOTTOM of the tanks from which the diesel is drawn. The feed pipe is off the bottom for the obvious reason.

It takes something like a major delivery into a pretty empty tank to mix up the built up water, crud and (new) diesel. The water and crud will generally sink again within hours.

So, it is likely that the fuel has come from one filling which occured sometime soon after the delivery. Think about how old the fuel stop and it's underground tanks is... think how infrequently they are cleaned... think how much potential there is for water to find it's way in... and think how all these issues are quite independent of brand.

A fuel sample from the tank is not helpful in establishing the cause of the problem unless it is done at the same time.

Basically I am of the view that water contamination, whilst unconsciounable behaviour by fuel stop operators, is for all practical purposes a fact of life, extremely rare, without life threatening consequences unless you ignore the water alarm, and generally minor and hard to pin on one retailer.

Buying fuel from a retailer who has new diesel tanks is one way of minimising the chances... but when you're remote, or away from home, it is sometimes hard to know.

Cheers
Andrew who hates having to clear the water trap... but has had to two times in 150,000ks

I am obviously no expert in mechanical issues and for my piece of mind took Andrew's post to Alan who is the proprietor of Gold Coast Diesel and who fitted unit in first place.

He was good enough to reply and for info of members this is what he said
QUOTE
In response to your query submitted from Andrew we wish to reply as follows.


YES the water sinks to the bottom of your vehicles fuel tank, anthe early warning device is based on those exact principals. How much water is needed in the fuel tank, will depend on a numberof factors, some of which are:-

· The surface area of the bottom of the fuel tank

· The distance from the bottom of the fuel tank and the pick up pipe



Etc.



Reality is the fuel tank is not stationery it-



· Goes up hills

· Goes down hills

· Goes around roundabouts

· There is a fuel return back to the fuel tank which is directed into the fuel well where the pick up pipe is, this agitates the water (if any) that is collected.



The facts are



·Water leaving the fuel tank will get trapped in the sedimentor

· You will be alerted should this happen

· You will have visual proof / confirmation of this

· You can siphon off the contaminated fuel

·Water will go straight to the bottom of the fuel tank – it is at this point where the fuel is drawn from.

· You can prevent the water from entering the vehicle’s filter system



Question –



How much water is acceptable in the vehicles common rail fuel system



Answer-



0 – it is NOT designed to work with even the smallest amount of water present in the vehicles fuel system.





On the one hand – I know of people who have owned a diesel vehicle for many years and have never had water in the fuel system.



On the other hand – there are many people I know of who have had contaminated fuel (water in the fuel system) which has cost them dearly in repair bills, even although the vehicle was under manufacturers warranty.



If I were doing travelling about this beautiful land of ours, I know what filter system I would use.





Regards



Alan

UNQUOTE

Based on above it could be some time down the track that the water enters the system and not necessarily "just down the road".

Even so the fact that the water is trapped by unit before it enters the vehicles fuel system is comfort for me, and was the main reason I bought unit in first place.
The opportunity to identify the source of contamination was a bonus.

Hopefully I will never be faced with water in fuel.

Pedro