Water in fuel message

[DiscoClax]

I had this pop up tonight on the way home on a cold, wet, dark, windy, miserable Melbourne evening. Popped up and then disappeared but remained in the info area if I scrolled through. Drove the 30 kms home from there carefully. These filters have a reputation for keeping the nasties at bay, so I risked it. After dinner I went back to the car to check the message and it came up after the System Check but then disappeared. Completely. No fault codes logged (that was checked before I keyed off when I got home). The filter is only 10k old and all fuel has been from high volume reputable sources. Checking the OM was useless as it didn't even reference it. Just said that those sorts of messages are "non critical"... Thoughts? Is it a random ghost in the machine and/or should I be parking it and/or should I change the filter on the weekend (next chance for me)?

[101RRS]

While it is most likely a spurious fault, I would just drain the filter at the drain valve and see if the fault returns.

[DiscoClax]

It popped up again this morning on the run in to work after about 20mins running. After having some time to research the issue it seems most likely to be the sensor itself false-alarming due to water into the wiring and/or connector (especially given the current weather) but I'll drain it at first opportunity and check to be sure as the alternative isn't desirable.... and maybe order a new sensor. Plenty have reported similar issues with no water evident after a drain, but often after exposing that area to water (rain, hosing, water-crossing, etc).

[101RRS]

.... and maybe order a new sensor.

The Landrover price for the sensor is about $260. If you buy the fuel filter kit from Landrover, you get a new fuel filter, a new fuel filter housing and a new sensor - all for the price of approx $250. So cheaper to get the lot than just the sensor.

Garry

[DiscoClax]

The Landrover price for the sensor is about $260. If you buy the fuel filter kit from Landrover, you get a new fuel filter, a new fuel filter housing and a new sensor - all for the price of approx $250. So cheaper to get the lot than just the sensor.

Garry

Good tip Garry. I'll certainly look into that. Note that you can get filters for under $100 each, and the sensor kit for a bit over $100 (all genuine parts, direct from the UK) if you don't want or need the lot. I tend to avoid the dealers due to their excessive mark-ups and use the power of the internet to maximise return on investment.

The genuine diesel fuel filter, for example, is actually a Mahle KC241D (exactly the same as Ford p/n 7H32-9C296-AB or LR p/n LR009705). I will only use genuine filters, but often I source them from the OE supplier direct and save plenty by not paying for the gold-plated LR bag/box. That green sticker seems to double the price...

For reference the OE air and cabin filters are also Mahle and the engine oil filter is Mann on the TDV8s (auto trans (steel) is Filtran).

[goingbush]

in the old days before electronics,

the fix for water in fuel was a bottle of metho into the tank, wonder how that would go nowadays, can't be any worse than running E10 ! In fact E10 users probably will never get water in fuel ??

[DiscoClax]

in the old days before electronics,

the fix for water in fuel was a bottle of metho into the tank, wonder how that would go nowadays, can't be any worse than running E10 ! In fact E10 users probably will never get water in fuel ??That's why I run most of my petrol vehicles and engines on E10 wherever possible. It guarantees no water in the fuel system and is higher octane as a bonus. I suspect it wouldn't be great on a diesel though. The effect on lubricity would be a significant concern for me.

BTW LRParts has the full genuine kit (filter, holder, sensor, seals, etc) for about £70 plus shipping. I'm going to add that to an order I am pulling together :) Thanks for that Garry.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

This from the internet---



https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Busting-Ethanol-Fuel-Myths


"Seasonal storage with E10 fuel is another likely time for problems. During storage, fuel will tend to oxidize; it will become “sour”, and may absorb water from condensation. Water-holding capacity of E10 fuel is reduced with lower temperatures, so phase separation is more likely with winter temperatures. E10 can hold approximately 0.5% water at 60°F (.64 ounces in a gallon, or 12 ounces of water in a 20-gallon gas tank), but can only hold about 0.35% water at 20°F (.45 ounces in a gallon)."