Caterpillar Water Separator - The Full Story

[darrlowe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close darrlowe]

I like the Caterpillar filter, however was recommended by my mechanic to use the Terrain Tame DKLC30 which (to me) is exactly the same as the Caterpillar Water Separator. It cost me around $140.00 to purchase through my mechanic (no mark up) and it bolts into the existing mounts in the engine bay next to the Toyota filter. The kit came with the barbs, clamps and enough hose to install. I just needed to purchase the bolts.
I have been told to change it every 40,000 km and to me it's cheap insurance.

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

darrlowe is your unit the following:
http://www.terraintamer.com/en/4wd-p...7-fuel-manager

The cat units are the same design, use the same filters. CAT has a yellow bowl, different filter rating and is pain aluminium in colour not black.

[darrlowe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close darrlowe]

Hi gxl_d4d.
You are correct. That is the unit I have installed. My mechanic, who works for a car hire company, uses these on their fleet of V8 diesel Landcruisers, as well as the D4D Hilux's and Hiaces.

FYI, I've got the 30 micron filter and have had the filter installed now for 30,000K's. It will get replaced it when it hits 40,000.

Cheers,

Darren

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Hi All

I have just had my 2008 D4D GXL in the Toyota workshop to flush out the water from my my fuel tanks and fuel lines.
My problem started about 2 weeks ago, when my engine went into limp mode in the Eastlink Tunnel, and my Engine Warning light came on.
I was able to exit the tunnel, all by it a very slow crawl, when the Eastlink Breakdown vehicle found me outside the tunnel.
After advising him what had happened, he removed the Battery Terminals from the main battery, which acts as a master reset.
This did the trick to get me back to mums place in Mont Albert.

The next day, I rang Nunawading Toyota to advise them to expect it, as it wasn't booked in.
I Managed to drive there, even with the Engine waring light on, again.

They had the car for the day, and advised me that I had water in the fuel system, and that they would need to drop both tanks and flush the fuel lines, inc injectors ( which were caked with wax on the inlet valve)

I went to down to Lara for a few days, and the fuel warning light came on with the buzzer.
I told my father, who helped me drain the filter, and and lots of water and dirt came through.
I needed Dad to see this, as I have been getting the fuel from him.

So on Wednesday 15th August i dropped off the vehicle for Toyota to fix.
Toyota serviced the vehicle, and dropped the tanks, cleaned them out, flushed the lines and injectors, and refitted the tanks. This took them until Thursday night.

So after changing filters, servicing, and fixing all fuel issues, I got my Prado back.
The total cost was $2,100 + $320.00 to refill both my tanks.

So I am now going to invest in a water separator.

Which unit is better, the Cat one or the Terrain Tamer?
Which micron filter should I like at?

Please advise

Stuart

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Hi Stuart, either one would be improvement over what you have currently and for the record I have had the cat one fitted for 20000k with no issues

Cheers
Frederick

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

I have a Donaldson filter & water trap, which was highly reccomended. I must admit that I am VERY relieved to have a pre filter & a watertrap on the common rail diesel.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I like the Caterpillar filter, however was recommended by my mechanic to use the Terrain Tame DKLC30 which (to me) is exactly the same as the Caterpillar Water Separator. It cost me around $140.00 to purchase through my mechanic (no mark up) and it bolts into the existing mounts in the engine bay next to the Toyota filter. The kit came with the barbs, clamps and enough hose to install. I just needed to purchase the bolts.
I have been told to change it every 40,000 km and to me it's cheap insurance.

Just rang around to get a price; WA-$190, NSW & SA-$155. I know WA is expensive but 23% markup and no doubt the reason is the standard Nullarbor markup.

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Hi all, just an update regarding fuel filters, i have just changed the three fuel filters on my D4D being the OEM, and the cat one under the bonnet and the underbody OEM one as well. Nothing special about that i guess except i did it while i am camped at Corrella dam 70ks south of Mt Isa. The under body one was a wee bit difficult as vehicle was not jacked up at all but once i got those pesky red clips released it was quite easy. All fuel in the filters seem clean as a whistle so i will keep the underbody one as a spare.

Cheers
Frederick

[boondy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close boondy]

Very interesting thread thanks bazooka. Do you know if the same separator can be ued on a 150 prado without voiding warranty?

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Just bought the DKLC30 Terrain Tamer. Comes with all the fittings except mounting bolts.

Has anyone had issues with the length of the Cat/TT filters, it seems to be a very tight fit?

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

Just changed my under bonnet filter at 110 000km. The paper was dark brown inside. The filter has been in since 20 000km when Toyota changed it.

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Geez gxl_d4d, that's a bloody lot of ks between changes don't you think? I changed my underbody oem filter 20000 k again.

Cheers

Wazza

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Is there a trick to installing the filter? I used the bolt holes on the chassis and there is only about 5mm between the black filter drain and the guard.

Loosening the bottom cup to move the black drain valve gives more space but I'm concerned about having it too loose

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

Buy longer bolts and stand the filter off the side of the engine bay. If you use two nuts on a 75mm bolt, you can use one as a lock nut against the side of the engine bay and the second one against the back of the filter housing.

I'll try to get a picture tommorow.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

million QUOTE=gxI4d;36875 longer bolts and stand the filter off the side of the engine bay. If you use two nuts on a 75mmbolt, you can use one as a lock nut against the side of the engine bay and the second one against the back of the filter housing.

I'll try to get a picture tommorow.[/QUOTE]

I already spaced it out 15mm, but good to know. Terrain Tamer do a slightly shorter filter that they recommended, but I didn't take it. I'll find out how much it costs, do Cat do one?