Diesel contamination & damage especially on D4D Common R

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

Dirty diesel has been a problem in Australia for many years. It was really bad in the 80's, often contained many unknowns. In most areas (except remote 44g stuff) the diesel is now pretty good.

The std toyota filters do a pretty good job of cleaning prior to big $ damage, heaps better than other manufacturers. The prado has a contamination warning light and buzzer as std on the D4D. You must follow the direction ASAP on how to empty the filters as soon as the light or buzzer comes on to prevent damage.

If you are really worried have a look at a CAV+glass bowl filter, they cost about $150 to fit and the element is about $10 bucks.

You must keep all your fuel receipts when you fill up as the fuel supplier IS responsible for all your costs, IF you can prove their fuel damaged your engine. If you have bad diesel it will often become evident to the warning system within about 200kms.

In the last 20 years I have had twp cruisers, a 40 and a 100 series diesel engine including injectors and pumps completely rebuilt at the cost of the fuel supplier, as they supplied dirty fuel.

I have heard (I can not confirm thou) that the octane booster/cleaner for diesel engines is often just a biodiesel mix ?

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Fungi
Interested to see what the pamphlet said and also what is the indicator of the "dirty fuel filter"?

My unit , from Alan Clare, is still quite clear with no visual signs of contamination, and when I switch on the indicator it lights up , and gives a beep to let me know it is working

As a mechanical dunce, I feel pretty happy with this unit .

I'll see if I can dig it up and scan it!

[jimmyt Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jimmyt]

I can confirm first hand the damage contamiated diesel can do to a D4D.
Check my post on -D4D engine wont start- to see my story. Brief description though is i had bad fuel according to Toyota, no light to warn came on, vehicle will be off the road for around 2 weeks i am told. So far filter is packed full of gunk, tanks have water and gunk in them, injector pump shot, and will not know about the injectors until new pump installed. They have done 1 other D4D like this and said if the pumps gone then injectors will probably be too. Rough estimate of $6000 if this is the case,and i am told thats what the other one cost the owner to repair.

No warranty for bad fuel either.

I dont get why Toyota doesnt have a solenoid on the filter to shut off diesel supply when this happens, and why my warning system did not come on. For $60k i think they should include a you beaut fuel contamination safety system as standard.

Installation of any secondary type of filter is cheap and will be on my list when i get my truck back.

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

Hi jimmyt,

Have you been able to prove which station filled your Prado with bad fuel? If so, I see no reason to keep their name quiet... Where won't you be going to fill up again?

LFaR.

[jimmyt Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jimmyt]

I am pretty sure it was a Caltex one but am waiting on a bit more advice from the mechanics to be sure, like how long they think the crap has been in there.

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

Sorry to hear the bad news.

The bad fuel possibility was the reason I had a "water sedimenter" fitted . (see my post earlier on this thread)

Depending on what the problem was the sedimenter may not have alerted you with an audible beep but any foreign matter would have been visible in the filter bowl.

[ades Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ades]

Professional advice needed from the diesel machinery experts on this site.

I have 100 litres of fresh diesel fuel contaminated with about 10 litres of unleaded fuel.

Can it be used in an old Massey Ferguson tractor?

I run a MF65 (about a 1959 model) which has a 4 cylinder Perkins engine 4A 203D (P4/192Y) about 3.2 litre. 50HP.

Should I dilute it further?

The fuel was given to me by a friend who runs a garage.

Thought it might be ok for the tractor.

Adrian :?

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Hmm... At that ratio I'd be tempted to use it in my 1kz and just keep an eye on the EGT

It'd be fine in your old clunker tractor, if you are really worried about it just blend it away everytime you fill it.

Petrol used to be added to diesel to stop waxing at low temperatures, don't ask me at what ratio though...

Mick

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

Hi Ades,
If you let the fuel drum sit for a few days undisturbed the petrol should float to the surface of the diesel fuel as lower SG and syphon the diesel off from the bottom of the drum watch out for a bit water though, just a thought.

[4wd26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd26]

I know its not Diesel, but there are some not so honest types running servos.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...2-3102,00.html
substituting unleaded as premium. Would avoid BP in the Ballina (Northern NSW) area if this is any indication

[ades Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ades]

All good advice. I'll put it to good use.

Thanks for taking the time, it's appreciated.

The tractor will run for a fair amount of time with the 100 litres.

Adrian

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

Re: Diesel contamination & damage especially on D4D Common R

You will note earlier in this thread that I fitted a Water sedimenter to alert me if water was in diesel, and was talking to the designer Alan Clare this morning on another matter.

He said some bloke had damage caused by water in diesel and took it to Toyota for warranty repair.
Despite his pleas re poor filter system they refused his request and Alan said it cost him $6000 to repair.

With all the rain in North Queensland and in other areas water contamination could be a problem at the moment.

Not sure what the symbol is when filter alert goes off, but might be worth checking just in case.

With the Water Sedimenter fitted if I get water in diesel a warning buzzer alerts me to it .

[BARRLIND Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BARRLIND]

Re: Diesel contamination & damage especially on D4D Common R

Hi All

Can those who have the water separator fitted to their vehicles comment on how successful it has been.
Has it ever gone off. Has it actually stopped the water from entering the system. Has it stopped algae.
Have you noticed any black deposits in the bowl.
What maintenance has the unit required.

Thanks in advance
Bazza

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

Re: Diesel contamination & damage especially on D4D Common R

Bazza,
Mine has never gone off but I have the peacce of mind of knowing that f I hear the beep and the warning light comes on I have a problem.

Suppose its like insurance you hope you never need it but its good to have

[BARRLIND Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BARRLIND]

Re: Diesel contamination & damage especially on D4D Common R

Thanks Pedro