Damage from contaminated fuel

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by stevemc181

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[p12345]

In my last car (a Patrol) we picked up a bad dose of fuel at a truck stop somewhere between Woomera & Broken Hills. It stoped me cold in about 100km.. I emptied the fuel filter 2 or 3 times & limped into the next town... I mean limped.

The question I have is the drain is almost impossible to operate on the pajero with the second battery there... I have done it a few times at home to test it... I have to remove the filter & turn it sideways to open the drain... not happy at all as this process should be done in its vertical position... Anyone found a better way to open the drain?

[Rovingman]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2

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.

And its a cheap mod. If i can do it anyone can.

[geopaj]

Originally Posted by p12345

In my last car (a Patrol) we picked up a bad dose of fuel at a truck stop somewhere between Woomera & Broken Hills. It stoped me cold in about 100km.. I emptied the fuel filter 2 or 3 times & limped into the next town... I mean limped.

The question I have is the drain is almost impossible to operate on the pajero with the second battery there... I have done it a few times at home to test it... I have to remove the filter & turn it sideways to open the drain... not happy at all as this process should be done in its vertical position... Anyone found a better way to open the drain?

Sorry to say it but... yes, there is an easy solution - a different brand of battery tray. I have an ARB dual battery tray and the fuel filter drain is easily acceseable in situ (without having to remove the filter). I have personally opened the drain on mine several times without any hassle.