Fuel level in auxiliary fuel tank

[Pwoffey]

Just starting to think about getting an aux fuel tank for my diesel NW. I have a GLX 5 seater, no rear air con, so the LRA 81 L would likely be my choice. But just wondering about the practice of keeping or not keeping the aux tank filled when just driving around town. On the one hand I don't want to be lugging a full tank (~65kg if we say 1L diesel is ~800g) around the city for no good reason; on the other hand it's often said that water condensation and bio-glug can accompany an empty fuel tank. I usually keep my OEM tank reasonably full and I don't use a biocide. So, what do you guys with an aux tank do when you aren't doing the long distance stuff?

Thanks for advice.

Phil

[geopaj]

I've often wondered the same. I look forward to other's answers.

[Georgie]

Just starting to think about getting an aux fuel tank for my diesel NW. I have a GLX 5 seater, no rear air con, so the LRA 81 L would likely be my choice. But just wondering about the practice of keeping or not keeping the aux tank filled when just driving around town. On the one hand I don't want to be lugging a full tank (~65kg if we say 1L diesel is ~800g) around the city for no good reason; on the other hand it's often said that water condensation and bio-glug can accompany an empty fuel tank. I usually keep my OEM tank reasonably full and I don't use a biocide. So, what do you guys with an aux tank do when you aren't doing the long distance stuff?

Thanks for advice.

Phil

Hi Phil
Like a lot of other guys on the forum I have the aux tank 80 lts it came from Ultimate 4X4 and I do have the rear air con unit the tank is a little lower than I like but I do have a lift kit of 50 mm plus air bags it is vital to me when touring with the van and I use Cal card but I cant always get Caltex in the bush so I have got the range until I can get Caltex or even Ampol as to your question I never let my aux tank get empty around town when I get low on the main tank I transfer around a quarter from the aux tank and then top up both tanks on the next fill I dont worry about carrying the extra weight as I believe it would be a minimal cost to know that at any given time I have plenty of fuel and not have to panic when getting low in the main tank you would have to weigh up the cost of the aux tank against how far you are going to travel in the bush and do you tow heavy you can do a lot of Klms for around $1200.00 minimum which is what the aux tank will cost you
Cheers
Georgie

[Gareth]

I have a LRA 58 Litre tank and I fill up both and transfer when I get to 1/4 of a tank. I don't think think the extra weight of the fuel is major drama and keeps everything working so to speak.

Gareth

[Aussie_Dan]

Like Georgie, I always fill both tanks to the brim (81L LRA tank). Our Paj only goes to the servo about once every 2 months. When taking on 150 - 160L, I also try and buy the fuel at the best price possible.
Whilst I have fuel in the aux, I tend to regularly transfer it to the main tank and keep the main tank full. This is for 2 reasons: 1. It moves the weight forward of the rear axle. 2. The fuel supply in the main tank is used to cool the injector pump and the more cool fuel in the tank, the better.
I have HD springs and airbags to cope with the weight.
Cheers, Dan.

[stevemc181]

I usually run with about 1/4 tank in the Aux and pump it over occasionally. Never had any issues. I've undone the drain plug a couple of times to get some fuel out to fill a fuel filter and the diesel looks nice and clean.
Though with the new extended length coils in she rides a bit harsher so I might keep it full to add a bit of weight and soften the ride.

[grhyso]

I don't have a second tank but if i did i would fill it round town and transfer across to the main. Firstly the weight, 65kgs isn't even the equivalent of one passenger, i barely think it'll make much difference in a car weighing in over 2000kgs. Secondly the condensation issue. Lastly i just don't like leaving fuel sitting in a tank for long periods without use.

[m_and_m]

I fill my LRA 58l and main tank to the brim each fill up.
I also keep track of my fuel economy.

I prefer to fill right up and 'wet' the inside of the tank regularly. I think using everything regularly means when you 'do' need the extra fuel on long distance trip, you are less likely to have a problem.

Have HD springs and airbags. The extra weight will use marginally extra fuel, but not worth worring about, and the trade off is not going to the servo as often..
1300km between fills

If you're gonna spend that much on an extra fuel tank you may as well use it!

I tranfer from the aux to main at about 1/4 full on the main tank gauge.

[Phil]

I'm about to fit a LRA and planned to fill both.

Can someone please post a pic of the LRA full pump location.
About the only thing missing in their instructions.

[MSF]

see my build thread in my sig for pics

Post #18.

Pump is not specifically shown, but if you look at the 3rd and 4th pics, it is mounted on the underbody, positioned just beside the tank on the drivers side, basically behind the inner guard

[m_and_m]

I'm about to fit a LRA and planned to fill both.

Can someone please post a pic of the LRA full pump location.
About the only thing missing in their instructions.

I had mine installed by TJM so didn't see it prior.

Can you tell me where the fuel pickup is (within the tank)...so i can get the last drop out. I think it's forward on Passenger side, on the basis I seem to get more out when parked such that so fuel collects at this corner.

[KiwiNTPajero]

so the lra is not plumbed to automatically level of with main tank.It sits lower so you have to pump contents "manually"???

[Kirkster72]

Just got mine done today & I'm impressed, 58ltr LRA professionaly installed!

[Kirkster72]

More pics

[Kirkster72]

Only letting me do one pic at a time