" Thick Fuel"

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

Hey collective, I have an interesting conundrum. We are running an 03 Pajero 03 triton, 06 golf, and an 09 hilux on B100 and so far have not had any fuel related issues. Oh, winter they run on about B90. Now the triton has been playing up recently, she starts ok, warms up, but just doesnt seem to have enough 'guts' in her, she runs out of revs and can stall easily, I have to nurse it up through the gears. Once heading out the road it is running ok, but as I slow down I get the running out of steam issue again.The Mechanic (and he is not a bio critic) is investigating the injectors and pump, the turbo, ( he will be putting it on a dyno in the next day or so) and the thickness of the fuel. He is considering the idea that the fuel is too thick or heavy and this coud be part of the problem. He has drained the tank and run normal diesel and it was a bit better. So any ideas on testing the fuel for weight and viscosity and if we find its too heavy how can it be lowered. I,m no mechanic so I can at least have a go at the fuel issue. Hopefully it won't be a pump.
Thankyou for your consideration Cheer Brenden

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

I had a similar Issue with a toyota estmia sluggish on bio fine on diesel, a new fuel filter fixed it

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

Hi brendon,
Weight is not a problem, but viscosity can be.
To reduce the viscosity of the biodiesel mix it with kerosene

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

I had a similar Issue with a toyota estmia sluggish on bio fine on diesel, a new fuel filter fixed it

Thanks for the quick reply , any particular brand of filter ?

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

Hi brendon,
Weight is not a problem, but viscosity can be.
To reduce the viscosity of the biodiesel mix it with kerosene

Tilly thanks for your reply What is the diference between kero and diesel and what % do you suggest

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

Hi Brendon, I have a 98 Triton. I had a problem a bit like you describe.
It was caused by the primer diaphram going hard and cracking, letting air leak into the fuel system.

Fuel does not leak out because the diaphram is the highest point in the system and the IP has a vein lift pump so the entire system is under suction .

I discovered the problem after doing some work on the fuel lines and went to pump the primer. The rubber was that hard I could hardly pump it.
After that it split more and did actually start to leak.

All replaced now with an after amrket filter with a primer.

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

Hi Brenden, I think it was just a ryco filter I haven't had the problem again so I don't think its the brand of filter that matters it was blocked up just enough to cause an issue. As qwarla said, air leaks can cause similar faults
also check the O ring on the water drain tap under the fuel filter

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

%Hi Brenden,
#1 Diesel is kerosene. It is usually used where cold weather can cause clouding/waxing in #2 Diesel.
In Australia we normally use #2 diesel.
Kerosene has a lower viscosity than #2 diesel and a much lower cloud point.
It is also very useful for lowering the cloud point of biodiesel.
Kerosene also has a lower energy content litre for litre than #2 diesel.

I have read on a reliable site that Australian "Alpine" diesel is a mixture of #1 and #2 diesel.
Jet A-1 is also kerosene and can be used in a diesel engine.

I would start with about 10% kerosene and see what happens. You will need to do some testing.
Because most Kerosene is not specifically produced as #1 diesel in Australia it may not contain proper lubrication for your injector system if it is the only fuel you use.
Anything up to 95% kerosene with 5% biodiesel should not be a problem but I am sure you will not need to use anywhere near this amount.
.
Make sure the biodiesel is cloud free before mixing and mix thoroughly before pouring into your fuel tank..

Tilly thanks for your reply What is the diference between kero and diesel and what % do you suggest

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

Re: " Thick Fuel"

Well just heard from the mechanic - - and its not all that bad He had it over the dyno last night and it ran like a dog, used my fuel, his fuel , my pump his pump, my filter his filter and there he noticed some differences. Conclusion its more a filter issue than anything, the injectors and pump are ok, the turbo a little worn, but ok fuel tank, pick up lines fuel pump all ok. Changed the filter, and she started to run better. So plan is to thin the fuel and change the filter more often. And carry a spare with me!
Thanks every one for your input, you were all pretty well in the ball park, worst fear was to have the injector system overhauled at great expence and that wouldn't have solved the problem. Cheers Brenden