Damage from contaminated fuel

[Jimbo2]

A lot of people are fitting second fuel filters to prevent damage from contaminated fuel. If you own a Parado this is a real risk.
What I haven't seen is reports of Pajero's suffering damage from contaminated fuel.
So to get a sense of how serious the problem is could people who have had damage, or even just failed to progress reply to this post and say what happened.
Thanks in anticipation
Jim

[Hill]

Jim

Water and dirt have a detrimental impact on CRD.

A dose of bad fuel is uncommon from new tanks with high turn over of fuel.

What is common is fuel with particles bigger than 3 microns. Parker Racor recommend filtration standard of 3 microns at 95% efficiency. This should add life to both your injectors and fuel pump. Particles are abrasive to your fuel system.

What is catastrophic is dirty fuel inclusive of water.
A second filter provides better filtration for both particles and water. When fitted as a secondary filter your primary filter should provide a trap for both water and dirt and provide some assurance that you are warned via indicator light that something is wrong before entering your injectors and pump.

Good filtration efficiency assumes regular maintenance ie regular filter changes and drainage of water from primary and secondary filters.

Hill

[Rovingman]

It's Very cheap insurance JUST in case you come across a dirty batch in the out back or even in the city! $120 or $10,000 for engine fix.

[Jimbo2]

Yes I agree, its good insurance, and makes sense to install an extra filter. What I am looking for though is some people who have experienced this problem.

[Dicko1]

Yes I agree, its good insurance, and makes sense to install an extra filter. What I am looking for though is some people who have experienced this problem.

Get on the prado site. Dozens of them. I had mine installed as a result of being on various forums and also hearing from people who actually had issues with bad fuel stuffing their injectors/pumps. Prevention is better than cur.
The other issue is that diesel also absorbs water. I try and maintain a relatively high tank level when ever possible, without chasing every fuel pump I see.

[Jimbo2]

Yes the Parados have a real issue with this problem, but I haven't heard of Patrol or Pajero owners actually having engine damage from contaminated fuel, just curious as to the real extent of the problem in non Parados.

[Rovingman]

I have read nearly every post on this forum and i have not come across a forum member having an engine issue with contaminated diesel.

[schnitzel]

Brothers patrol is currently in getting a new motor and pump courtesy of contaminated fuel ( fuel company is paying) and it was from a high volume site , someone unscrewed a fill point in the pouring rain and let water into the underground tank ( cc TV shows it was mailicious action and not by the site or staff) and a number of vehicles were damaged. He got about 2 k down the road and was parked with a number of anther vehicles who had the same problem.

[Goodsy]

This event made the news about a month ago (maybe less). Was it that one?
Cars and 4x4's all on the side of the road on the highway a few k's from the servo.

[stevemc181]

At least one thread on here from the UAE regarding contaminated fuel.

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=19430

[cookie9]

How effective is the stock filter at protecting from water and contamination? Other brands seem to have water traps you can drain but not the challenger.

I'm considering getting a good 2nd filter as when I got some warranty work done last week the service manager stated up front that if it looks like bad fuel is the problem then warranty is not valid.

[Onslow]

I've experienced four fill-ups from a country petrol station that have had enough dirt to destroy the transfer pump on my auxiliary tank and fill the in-line filter with crud. Any dirt that managed to get through is now in my OEM filter which is due to be changed in the next few weeks. I'm glad I have the secondary Fuel Manager filter system in place - definitely piece of mind.

I have a friend who experienced his engine shut down after filling up in the metro area. On checking his fuel system he found that he'd picked up a tank full of rubbish which clogged his OEM filter and cut off the fuel supply. Luckily he also had a secondary filter which stopped anything reaching his injectors. This was on a 200 Series, but the picture is the same with any CRD engine.

A while back there were plenty of cases mentioned on Exploroz, might be there if you do a search. As you say, not many Pajero's, but I reckon I came close.

[schnitzel]

This event made the news about a month ago (maybe less). Was it that one?
Cars and 4x4's all on the side of the road on the highway a few k's from the servo.

No is a different one, that was in Sydney, this one was in melbourne and got about 20 cars,the site shut everything down really quickly once they got the first report back and as it was malicious damage by a third party I won't name and shame because it wasn't there fault but the fuel company is wearing the repairs.

[Jimbo2]

At least one thread on here from the UAE regarding contaminated fuel.
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/...ad.php?t=19430

Hmm a bad result, but not the complete train wreck of a Parado contamination. It must have got a huge dose of water and dirt. A second filter would have been a cheaper solution in this case. Thanks Steve for our first confirmed.

[Jimbo2]

I have read nearly every post on this forum and i have not come across a forum member having an engine issue with contaminated diesel.

Thanks Rovingman, this confirms my belief that the Pajero system is more tolerant than some of the others, that said it appears its still a great idea to have the 2nd filter, especially if in remote areas where failing to proceed is a lot more than an inconvenience.