120 diesel - fuel gauge and refilling problems

[nomading72 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close nomading72]

Hi All

I am currently having a few fuel gauge and refueling issues with my 2004 120Series Diesel Prado, I have read quite a few of the related threads about the operation of the fuel tanks/gauges however the information detailed does not help with my specific issue.
Recently my gauge has started to become very unreliable after it clicks over to the 2nd 90 litres (i.e. 90L is illuminated), the needle moves quickly between full and half full and seems to be very dependent upon the angle the car is sitting on.
Last weekend I was only able to put 100L in it after by my km calculations (100km/11L) it should have been emty (mind you the gauge was still showing 3/4 with the 90L illuminated). Having then travelled 900km I was unable to put my than 10L in the tank because the pump would continuously click off as the filler tube was full of foam (even after waiting 15 minutes). Also, when I opened the filler cap there was continued spirts of diesel coming out of the breather/vent on the neck of the filler - at this stage by my calulations (and the gauge) the tanks should have been almost empty.
Any ideas would be much appreciated, I presume it may be related to link between the 2 tanks or the flaps on the tank inlets however I would like any advise before heading off to the Toyota dealership.
PS- I have just moved to Brisbane, can anyone recomemd a good prado mechanic in the area.

Thanks

[Hubble80 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hubble80]

Re: 120 diesel - fuel gauge and refilling problems

I thought I was having fuel consumption issues, but I now think it is a gauge problem. I am having pretty similar issues with my 2008 D4D GXL. Does anyone know if the gauge setup can be calibrated in any way?

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: 120 diesel - fuel gauge and refilling problems

Have you seen this thread created by Robktm?

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=9367

Chriso

[nomading72 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close nomading72]

Re: 120 diesel - fuel gauge and refilling problems

Thanks for the info, the post from Robktm seems to be pretty close to my situation the only difference being that now by my calulations both the tanks should be empty and strangely enough the gauge is also showing empty - who know what will happen when I try and fill it up this time.

Regards

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

Re: 120 diesel - fuel gauge and refilling problems

Hi Guys

I had a problem filling my D4D for about 18 months and it was taking me around 30 minutes to put 120-150 litres into the tanks. I t appears that my problem stemmed from the external breather that sits facing forward out of the rear tank. What happened is that the breather was getting caked in mud and not allowing the tanks to breathe properly. Now when I am under the vehicle I tap the breather a few times and blow compressed air over it to get rid of the dried mud. seems to work ok now.

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Re: 120 diesel - fuel gauge and refilling problems

Seen this on 120 and 150 series. The rear tank has a spring loaded flap to direct the fuel to the front tank. This can sometimes become stiff and an easy fix is to put a piece of bent wire in the flap to hold id open, then the fuel will flow easily. Did this on the side of the road to a 150 on the way up to Cape York so we could fill both tanks quickly, rather than the 30 minites before.