Fuel Tank/s and fuel levels

[WombatRNR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WombatRNR]

New Prado owner: When filling the 150l tanks of the 150 series (2019) diesel, which tank fills first? Or is that not a thing any more? AND We used to be advised not to let a fuel tank get below 1/4 because of “the gunk at the bottom of the tank”. Is that an issue in these vehicles?

[amts Ninja Poster. Find all posts View Profile Close amts]

It's not been a thing since the 120 Prado.

Fuel pickup is at the bottom of the tank. The pickup of gunk from the bottom of the tank when fuel gets below 1/4 level has been a myth since forever.

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

One thing that may surprise you. On the second scheduled service they replace a filter that is between the two tanks. Value =$200.

[Prone Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prone]

Hi,
I agree with the previous posts. As for which tank fills first I can shed a bit of light.

On a recent trip towing a camper trailer I had the large tank (A) down at 14 litres indicated on my scangauge, the smaller tank (B) was and had been for many kilometres at 0 litres. Tank B is the first to empty and then tank A, if this is not happening check and replace the approx $90 intertank filter under the floor above the rear driveshaft. I believe the motor is always supplied from tank A and the return goes to tank B, a scavenge pump then continuously pumps from tank B to tank A through the intertank filter mentioned above. Complicated? Yes!

We stopped at Tilmouth Well in the NT on our way to Alice Springs. I decided to put in 40 Litres to ensure we made it to Alice Springs. (I also had a couple of Jerry Cans as emergency reserve)

After 20 litres went in the two tanks had according to the scangauge tank A 25L and in tank B 9L.
After 40 litres went in tank A was at 36L and tank B at 18 L

It would seem that when filling from a diesel pump the split is not quite 50:50 between the two tanks.

Is the scangauge fuel reading accurate? It seems to be. But I notice that it does not show the listed max fuel level of each tank, from memory tank B shows at 55L and tank A at 83L when both are full. Tank B indication does not start to reduce for almost 100K or so when towing.

Cheers

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

My 2019GXL also only ahows 83L and 55L on my scan app.

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

I don't know if this helps or not...

I recently ran my MY2016 Prado GX down to (a reported) 50km range left. With a long trip ahead of me the next day, I went to fill up bit it would only take ~100L - the gurgling in the filler pipe when I tried to put more in told me at least one tank was full. The screen said it had a range of 1220km. About 100km into the trip I stopped for a coffee (and ice cream for the Mrs!) and topped up the tank - it took another 51L and reported 1400+ km range, which is about what I expect from truly full tanks.

[Pradoisbest Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradoisbest]

Makes sense that filling the tanks would be unequal as 1 tank is larger than the other. I find my tanks will take another 10 to 15 litres after the gurgling starts. Bit of a pain to fill to the top especially when the impatient wife is in the car.