Thread: Adding Fuel - BEWARE

Originally Posted by Jase_T

Keen to get your thoughts on this when you fit it. Looks like it hangs down quite a bit and can't use the factory underbody protection?

The underbody protection that has to be removed is quite flimsy so no great loss. I have actually ordered the tank with built in protection on the base so it will be a bit less than 174 litres.

I am not a complete nong folks and while I accept the good advice that I should have tested every function on which I would rely before leaving home, I didn't think tipping diesel from a jerry can into a tank would pose any problems. I knew all my other gear worked.

And... I did try the (a) land rover supplied funnel - it's for AdBlue - and it had no impact on the diesel pipe lock I encountered, nor did the (b) metal funnel I tried or the (c) plastic one (both of different diameters) nor (d, e, f ...) my fingers, the various other implements I and my two buddies thought might pry the thing open. I remain ignorant of how to bypass the thing.

I also think that help 'on the end of the line' should be expected, especially with a 'new' model and legendary unreliability in the past. For what I paid for this thing, it should come with decent online support, now standard across industries. Further, without any telephone coverage (most of Australia outside the cities) the online manual (which I have been unable to download) is not available.

Perhaps it was just me, but I could not get over the irony of the helpful guy on the phone wanting to dispatch all sorts of help to me at whatever significant cost to me/LR, as opposed to knowing how to flip a flap in the filler pipe.

Surely a much simpler and more effective approach would be lock the external flap, unlocking it from the cabin, as is widely implemented around the world in all makes/models.

Originally Posted by Beasdefender

After schlepping 20L of diesel, strapped to my LR roof rack, across Australia for fear of running short somewhere I decided I no longer needed to do so and could lighten my load by tipping it into my tank. I was on the eastern end of the Gibb River Road. However, I was bewildered to find that my new Beast has a metal locking flap in the filler tube, beneath the cap, that I could not open, no matter how I tried. Despite having no problems at any stage filling at standard station pumps, there was nothing I could do to pry open the filler pipe flap.

(as an aside I found "high flow diesel" pumps across the country have a pipe that is too big to fit in my Beast's filler tube)

There was nothing I could do until I reached phone coverage and the internet. I checked and it seems European models have a locking external flap opened from the cab rather than the always open pop external flap on my mine. Out of ideas I called the Land Rover assist line. Then the fun began.

The polite and pleasant guy I spoke to was interested only in whether I was out of fuel. "No", I said, "I just want to add 20 L down the filler pipe". "But are you out of fuel, if so, we can get someone out to help you." "No" I insisted, "I just want to tip fuel into the tank". Around and around we went until he assured me there is a mechanism in place to stop unwanted additions. I persistently asked for a workaround but was told only "if you're out of fuel I can help" which seemed laughable to me. I was eventually told to 'take it back to the LR dealer where you bought it and see if they can help".

So, the good news is, I had no trouble finding diesel wherever I went and never came close to running out with a 90L standard tank. Even more good news, I won't be trying to carry additional fuel again. And the big lesson ? It's not possible to add it as far as I can tell, so don't bother taking it.....unless one of you clever fellas has worked out how to solve the problem ...

I don’t understand. If there’s a metal thing that stopped you filling it up from a jerry can, what makes it possible with a fuel nozzle? Why is it different?

yep, that one is for adding AdBlue.....

Originally Posted by JessicaTam

The Defender also comes with a small funnel. It is white and in the foam insert with the jack and wheel brace.

No idea... that's the question ! Maybe it's the exact diameter of the fuel filler ? Maybe there's a magnet in there somewhere that repels ? I don't know... it could be even more exotic/electronic...GPS telling it that it is at a petrol station.... I just don't know. That's exactly the information I was seeking from Land Rover. Like everything, there must be a simple explanation, I just don't what it is !

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

I don’t understand. If there’s a metal thing that stopped you filling it up from a jerry can, what makes it possible with a fuel nozzle? Why is it different?

Originally Posted by Beasdefender

I am not a complete nong folks and while I accept the good advice that I should have tested every function on which I would rely before leaving home, I didn't think tipping diesel from a jerry can into a tank would pose any problems.

And who would have? This is something that has just never been an issue on previous vehicles, so why would you expect it? At least now you've posted we can all be wise after the event and not fall into the same trap.

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by jon3950

And who would have? This is something that has just never been an issue on previous vehicles...Cheers, Jon

Yes it has. Not sure when it commenced, but at least from 2013, diesel D4s had a misfuelling device that prevented filling with anything other than a standard commercial diesel pump nozzle (or something that emulated one). Actually, this issue prompted me to seek a solution for remote area refuelling. I presume I discovered it in the owners handbook as I read it from cover to cover to familiarise myself with the car. My solution was a Brown Davis additional tank with a dual filler.

My D4 had a mis-fueling device, but it was never a problem to fill from a jerry can?

Something must be different.