05 Triton B100 issues

[Akazia]

Have an 05 2.8 Triton, been running on b100 fine for approximately 20,000k's. One day it develops a sudden lack of power and basically shuts down. If you press the clutch in and coast along with your foot flat on the accelerator it will rev up to about 3500rpm, but if you release the accelerator it then stalls and is hard to start, or wont start. If you pop the bonnet, press the fuel primer several times till it is firm, crank the car up it will be right for another few k's.

So far I have changed the fuel filter, no change, pulled the fuel tank and cleaned the tank, strainer and fuel lines, same problem. Changed the fuel primer and fuel lines, same problem, changed the fuel line from the tank also, same problem. Starting to run out of ideas. It appears as though the car is not getting or drawing the fuel to the pump for some reason, I don't know if someone else has had similar issues. But tonight I had just under half a tank of B100, having to stop every few k's to get it to the servo, filled it up with regular diesel, problem disappears? I know the car should be fine on B100 but something is not right.

[Tony From West Oz]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

Does this happen only when the tank is half full or less?
If you let the tank get low on diesel, does it do it then also?
You seem to have covered most of the likely causes, but something is causing an issue, we just have to find out what it is.

Regards,
Tony

[Captaincademan]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

What about viscosity? Temperature is not likely the problem because you say it happens when the engine bay is undoubtedly hot, perhaps your lift pump is struggling with the thicker fuel? What sort of filter are you running? I guess the stock Mitsubishi filter? Air leaks in the line? have you double clamped the fittings? changed out the crappy spring loaded clamps for screw style clamps?

To me it does sound like you car is suffering from air ingestion in the line fuel lines. perhaps the slightly thicker bio causes the fuel line to leak air between the filter and the pump? the filter is an obvious restriction to flow, so between the filter and the pump would be the first place a hose connection would leak.

might be worth trying the old "clear hose" trick. replace the fuel line with some clear nylon hose from bunnings and see what happens. I bet that when the engine shuts down the fuel line between the pump and filter will be full of air. then its just a matter of tracing the hose back to find the leak.

The clear hose should last at least 6 months before it starts to break down, so you dont have to worry about that too much.

Am interested to see where this goes.

Good luck.

[Akazia]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

Does this happen only when the tank is half full or less?
If you let the tank get low on diesel, does it do it then also?
You seem to have covered most of the likely causes, but something is causing an issue, we just have to find out what it is.

Regards,
Tony

It has only ever happened when the tank was nearly empty, but I filled it up to just under half with the same result.

[Akazia]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

What about viscosity? Temperature is not likely the problem because you say it happens when the engine bay is undoubtedly hot, perhaps your lift pump is struggling with the thicker fuel? What sort of filter are you running? I guess the stock Mitsubishi filter? Air leaks in the line? have you double clamped the fittings? changed out the crappy spring loaded clamps for screw style clamps?

To me it does sound like you car is suffering from air ingestion in the line fuel lines. perhaps the slightly thicker bio causes the fuel line to leak air between the filter and the pump? the filter is an obvious restriction to flow, so between the filter and the pump would be the first place a hose connection would leak.

might be worth trying the old "clear hose" trick. replace the fuel line with some clear nylon hose from bunnings and see what happens. I bet that when the engine shuts down the fuel line between the pump and filter will be full of air. then its just a matter of tracing the hose back to find the leak.

The clear hose should last at least 6 months before it starts to break down, so you dont have to worry about that too much.

Am interested to see where this goes.

Good luck.

I think it's something to do with the viscosity of the fuel too, but with that being said temperature here at the moment (Northern NSW - New England region) is not that cold, and this was in the afternoon. Hose clamps have been changed all round too, not double clamped though(Will try that also). It has a fleetguard on it at the moment, the one before was a different brand, had the issues with both? Had no dramas last winter at down to -8 with the fuel. I have also done the clear fuel hose from the filter to the pump( only for half an hour or so, no bubbles present, only thing was I could not prime the hose so no air was in it. I eventually got it so no air was there but but bubbles appeared. I might try that again and leave the fuel hose on longer.
Was thinking of installing a Facet inline fuel pump at the tank as a means to an end, but it does not find the cause. Thought of a crack or damage to fuel lines somewhere too, but must be minuscule. Might even drop the tank again and check that.

[Captaincademan]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

sounds like you are having a decent crack at problem solving it. We all like a challenge here too! like I say run the clear hose until the engine shuts down and then see whats in the fuel line. bubbles or fuel? that will tell your story. pusher pumps work great too. sometimes there is no alternative other than changing out all fuel lines for larger ones and removing restrictions like primer pumps etc. I did the same on my cruiser and got impressive improvements to power and driveability. just remember that the fuel system you have is designed for diesel, not bio. inevitably some changes will be necessary.

[Tony From West Oz]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

It has only ever happened when the tank was nearly empty, but I filled it up to just under half with the same result.

Try filling it up to 3/4 or more with your biodiesel. See what happens.
It definitely sounds like it is sucking air somewhere. If it does not have a fuel pump at the tank, then I would suggest that any air leak must be in the engine bay, most likely between the fuel filter and the IP, but could be in the IP too.
Clear hose sounds like the way to go. Be careful with a Facet, they have a low flow and may not be able to supply the fuel needs at full power, but it would be good to check for leaks / prime after adding clear hose, etc.

Regards,
Tony

[contenderoz]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

G'day,

I would also have a look at your engine oil level to make sure you are not taking fuel into your engine. I had an issue last year that progressively got worse over time but was an untraceable air leak in the fuel system which ended up being the main shaft seal in the injector pump drive shaft that was as brittle as a salada biscuit when I changed it. The bio had deteriorated it over a number of years letting fuel into the engine oil and giving me an annoying air leak in the fuel system that would mean the system would loose prime when standing for an hour sometimes but annoyingly sometimes not and depending on the temperature, how much fuel was in the tank and how far I had driven would all seem to have a bearing on what was causing the air leak. I reckon if this seal is leaking it will also reduce the pumps ability to pull fuel from the tank which may explain the viscosity and fuel level in the tank changing what happens. If the motor has never had a Viton seal fitted this could be an issue although being a later model car it should be fitted with bio compatible seals. My vehicle is a '01 Rodeo 2.8 lt and has since had a Viton seal put in and all good since; too bad a replaced pretty much everything else on the fuel system before I worked it out. My 2 cents worth anyway, keep at it. Al

[Qwarla]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

Along the lines of what contenderoz said. I have a 1998 Triton and just replaced the seal on IP drive shaft.
I never had any noticable problems except by fuel had taken on a much darker colour.
Engine oil was being sucked through the seal into the IP. and turning the fuel black. Most noticable when the tank was at it's lowest as the pump would have to suck a bit harder.
Mine has the 4m40 engine and pulling the pump is fairly easy, once I worked out what bolts held it in.

[Johnnojack]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

I have been through a similar problem with my Toyo Dyna truck. Will make post about it all later but short story is, I found the screen inside the IP blocked. I didn't know at first that it was located under the shut off solenoid. Handy spot but sneaky, as I had already pulled the IP out. Expect it to go like the clappers by tomorrow night

[Akazia]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

G'day,

I would also have a look at your engine oil level to make sure you are not taking fuel into your engine. I had an issue last year that progressively got worse over time but was an untraceable air leak in the fuel system which ended up being the main shaft seal in the injector pump drive shaft that was as brittle as a salada biscuit when I changed it. The bio had deteriorated it over a number of years letting fuel into the engine oil and giving me an annoying air leak in the fuel system that would mean the system would loose prime when standing for an hour sometimes but annoyingly sometimes not and depending on the temperature, how much fuel was in the tank and how far I had driven would all seem to have a bearing on what was causing the air leak. I reckon if this seal is leaking it will also reduce the pumps ability to pull fuel from the tank which may explain the viscosity and fuel level in the tank changing what happens. If the motor has never had a Viton seal fitted this could be an issue although being a later model car it should be fitted with bio compatible seals. My vehicle is a '01 Rodeo 2.8 lt and has since had a Viton seal put in and all good since; too bad a replaced pretty much everything else on the fuel system before I worked it out. My 2 cents worth anyway, keep at it. Al

Hey, that's the things, no fuel in the oil, can leave the car standing for 5-6 days(over easter) and starts first crack like normal, and it appears as though all fuel is out of the lines from the pump back to the filter. You could hear the fuel squirt in to fill the filter the other day, so I still think air is getting in somewhere not a pump seal at this stage, hopefully...

[Captaincademan]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

Keep an eye on oil level at regular intervals and when driving also watch the oil pressure gauge if you suspect a leaking oil seal. steadily dropping oil pressure may indicate that the fuel is being thinned down by the bio. thinner oil equals lower pressure. This will only occur through a failed oil seal though. if it can suck oil, it could blow fuel.

[SUZUDDIS]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

Do you know if this model Triton has a Suction control valve ?
Some of the later Tritons have a valve that helps keep pressure up for the fuel system. Found it in a forum but this one might not.
I think you have possibly changed most things in the fuel system to try an eliminate the issue. Have you looked at the fuel pump and IP ?

I don't know if these are one and the same on your Triton but if they are separate then try looking at seals. it could be that when you run on Bio you are causing more vacum than normal on the fuel system so it will draw air from anywhere to compensate.

Otherwise like Cade mentioned , install a pusher pump to help fuel flow. the flip side is this is helping until you really do need to fix the problem when it fails.

I'd be taking the Fuel pump out for a better look see and getting my hands on some new seals and gaskets.

Good luck

Michael

[motobroker]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

Hi, I'm Brendan, I am new here...

[Akazia]

Re: 05 Triton B100 issues

One other thing I have tried which seems to have done the trick is make the fuel cap a vented cap, instead of using its one way valve. I could barely suck air through the cap before the one way valve opened, seems to have helped the fuel flow with a few vent holes in it.