Can't get more than 130Lts in

[Gary_Prado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary_Prado]

Hi,
Sorry if this is a silly question. I have owned a 03 Diesel Prado for about 6mths and have trouble getting anymore than 130ltr into the tanks when filling from when the empty light is on. The gauge is only reading 3/4 full when 130ltrs is put in. Diesel keeps bubbling up, stopping me getting more fuel in. Is this normal? Does anyone have any tips on getting over this problem?

Thanks,
Gary

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

sounds like a dodgy fuel gauge sender unit, i would get that checked out.

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

Other wise say thanks for the extra fuel prado fairy...

[Russ WA Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Russ WA]

Gary_Prado
You say it is reading 3/4 full. Is this on the second tank?
The light come on to tell you its in the second tank.

As the first is only 90L so 3/4 full on the second tank which is also 90L would be about 20 to 30L from second tank.
So 130L would be almost right.
You should be getting around 1100 to 1300 km out of full 180 L tank of diesel with standard tires on.

Russ

[Gary_Prado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary_Prado]

Gary_Prado
You say it is reading 3/4 full. Is this on the second tank?
The light come on to tell you its in the second tank.

As the first is only 90L so 3/4 full on the second tank which is also 90L would be about 20 to 30L from second tank.
So 130L would be almost right.
You should be getting around 1100 to 1300 km out of full 180 L tank of diesel with standard tires on.

Russ

That sounds right. But how do I get more fuel in? The fuel pump at the service station says I have put in 130lts. I am confident that I am not filling the second tank to capacity. Do you have the issue with the diesel frothing up and not being able to get the 2nd tank full? Is it just a matter of waiting for the froth to settle so I can continue to fill it?

Thanks,
Gary

[Russ WA Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Russ WA]

Gary,
Mine loves the diesel so much I use the fast flow pumps so my hand doesn’t get sore holding the trigger down.
Usually I fill it until I see the diesel at the top.

How many km do you do before refuelling as I would try doing 1000km on a full tank to see how much fuel you can get in.
I would think you would use 150L to 160L per 1000km.
Are you filling too early?
Russ

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

Gary,
It is not a question of getting more fuel in in my opinion, you have the fuel in there you are just not using it all. If it is frothing up you have filled it but the froth has filled the remaining space. This will be only a few litres. If you slow your fill for the last five litres, and I mean very slow, you will put more in. Run it until you have used more of the fuel. I think it has a flasher when it is very low. I still have about 20, 30 litres when mine reads empty.

[pshenton Member Find all posts View Profile Close pshenton]

get underneath and make sure that neither of the tanks are severely dented. This happened on my GU and I could not fill the rear tank beyond about 50lt and it was a 90lt tank. Luckily there were plenty of 2nd hand replacements available at Brown Davis.

[Gary_Prado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary_Prado]

Thanks for your input. We have been away over Christmas/New year and the problem seems to have resolved. I was using an additive, but ran out a few fills before I went away - Maybe it was the additive causing added frothing?

Cheers,
Gary

[Russ WA Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Russ WA]

Well that’s a first.
I use a product called flash lube every second tank and have never had

a problem but have wondered does it get in both tanks and mix properly?

I'm glad you sorted it.
Russ

[Gary_Prado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary_Prado]

Hi Gazza

Great to hear you had a winner..

What additive were you using at the time ?

Cheers,

I can't remember the name of it. My previous mechanic recommended it when I had a hilux diesel and it seemed to improve the fuel economy, it didn't make much difference with the Prado, so when it ran out, I stopped using it.

Cheers,
Gary