Water in the Fuel System
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 18:33
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87470
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Replies:
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Member - John G
G'day Folks
In July last year we took advantage of free
parking space in the
Pascoe River. Very quickly after that we headed to
Weipa for oil and filter changes all round.
Between Feb this year and now, the
water-in-the-fuel warning light and tone has gone off three times at about 2-monthly intervals. I've rectified this in the short term (obviously) by letting
water out of the fuel filter and pumping fuel out.
The vehicle is a 2000 turbo diesel hilux, garaged in
Canberra. Where last year it was probably used most days, now it is used only about 2 days/week.
Questions:
1. Should I be looking at draining the fuel
tank and flushing it?
2. Is there an additive type product that can be used?
2. Would a second fuel filter be a good idea?
3. Is the less frequent use likely to increase condensation and is that likely to be an issue?
Be gentle. If I have not already demonstrated my lack of experience, then that is where I'm coming from.
Advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
John
Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:14
Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:14
Hi John,
I've always used Chemtec Diesel Power Additive as a preventive more than any thing else. I'd be inclined to give the girl a good dose of that. Maybe triple the dose to start with and then the recommended amount after that.
Sounds like you have done things right.
See how you go with that.
AnswerID:
459517
Reply By: kiwicol - Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:21
Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:21
If not uising vehicle much, always keep
tank full when parked up, as diesel attracts condensation in the
tank.
A second filter wont help as they only filter dirt not
water.
Little things go a long way.
Col
AnswerID:
459518
Reply By: Mark C - Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:23
Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:23
John, sounds like you have
water in the
tank which needs draing off, if there is a plug in bottom of
tank water will drain off before diesel. It is best to keep fuel
tank full as possible as the emptier the
tank the more condensation you will get. A CAV
water trap filter prior to the final filter will help. It is curious that most machinery has primary & secondary filters yet Toyotas have but one filter.
Cheers
AnswerID:
459519
Follow Up By: Rockape - Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:49
Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:49
Mark,
some Tojo's have one filter and others have 2 depending on the model.
Early hzj75's had one then they went to 2 on the later ones.
FollowupID:
733077
Reply By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:53
Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 19:53
If it's like my Hilux, the
tank breather is in a chassis rail. Driving into
water may cause the
tank to suck
water in.
Something to consider if you fit diff breathers.
The only safe way is to drain the
tank.
AnswerID:
459520
Reply By: TTD1 - Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 21:16
Saturday, Jul 09, 2011 at 21:16
John G
If the problem has only happened a couple of times perhaps there is not a lot of
water in the
tank. First step would be to look for a drain plug in the
tank and check that end, but and old trick for moisture in the diesel is to put a litre of metho in the
tank, it is
water soluble and get rid of any residues.
AnswerID:
459526
Reply By: Member - Bucky - Sunday, Jul 10, 2011 at 06:26
Sunday, Jul 10, 2011 at 06:26
John
Chuck in a couple lts of Metho...
I am lead to believe it absorbs up to 5 times it's weight in fuel..
Use as much of that diesel, in that
tank as possible, and then drop the
tank anyway, and flush it out properly. After that use Chemtec Diesel Additive, it works a treat.
The fuel filter
water light, on my Patrol used to come on all the time, but it was any bump on the road setting
mine off. So I braced it back to the firewall, and never had a problem since. Even on badly corrugated outback roads.
Never get fuel from a servo that is not popularly used, or if a FuelTanker is parked there, topping up the tanks, as it stirrs up all the crap in the tanks, and that in turn will end up in your own fuel
tank.
Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID:
459534
Reply By: Member - John G- Sunday, Jul 10, 2011 at 08:57
Sunday, Jul 10, 2011 at 08:57
G'day All
Thanks very much for the advice. Very much appreciated.
Cheers
John
AnswerID:
459543