Thread: Common rail explained

When it comes to contaminated fuel and outback travel you need a bit of wisdom.
Always have a long range tank and fuel at fuel stations that have a high turnover. When you have to fuel via dodgy fuel sources I use one of these

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As much as I despise the drivel that I read on Exploroz there seems to be a number of people ending up with large bills because of dirty fuel.

Originally Posted by spudboy

This may perhaps not be the right thread, but here goes with a question:

Modern diesel engines have gone to common rail and electronics to be more efficient and cleaner.

But:
- My 20yo TDi300 gets 9 or 10L /100
- My 10yo TD5 gets 10 or 11L/100
- My new PUMA gets 11 or 12L/100

How come we've got all this newer tech stuff but the fuel efficiency is going in the other direction? What am I missing here? Power probably....


Cheers
David

Wieght,it's that simple. Pat

Originally Posted by djam1

When it comes to contaminated fuel and outback travel you need a bit of wisdom.
Always have a long range tank and fuel at fuel stations that have a high turnover. When you have to fuel via dodgy fuel sources I use one of these

Home

As much as I despise the drivel that I read on Exploroz there seems to be a number of people ending up with large bills because of dirty fuel.

Because they save thier shopper dockets and buy woolies cheap fuel with it,or the dodgy indie ones that sell fuel for one cent a litre cheaper.I use a Mr Funnel if I suspect anything,but always buy from BP,Mobil,Caltex etc. Pat

Goodness me, hasn't this degenerated.

The issue with CR engines is that IF you try and run them on contaminated fuel etc, or drive them through deep water enough to damage electric's etc then yes, you will be stranded, BUT they are far more robust than most realise. Like Pat says taking them into remote areas isn't a problem. The ONLY trouble arises when you discover that most outback workshops aren't up to diagnosing and repairing modern CR diesel engine technology etc so don't expect much help there.

Don't worry folks, they won't turn into pumpkins at midnight....


JC

Pat over here it all comes from the same source to my knowledge.

Originally Posted by PAT303

Because they save thier shopper dockets and buy woolies cheap fuel with it,or the dodgy indie ones that sell fuel for one cent a litre cheaper.I use a Mr Funnel if I suspect anything,but always buy from BP,Mobil,Caltex etc. Pat

Water and therefore rust, etc will happen in any fuel storage tank including your own vehicle if the tank breather is open to the atmostphere
It is not just out back supplies , it can happen at any time in any tank with a breather.
A fuel supply which has a large turn over may not be any better than a supply which has less turn over if the tank is kept full.
A fuel storage tank which is emptied and refilled a lot will suck in and out more moisture in the atmostphere.
Manufacturers want increase parts sales and decreased production costs by not fitting fool proof fuel filtration and water traps.
Full tanks is a way of reducing the diesels exposure to moisture from the air in side the tank
My 500 litre tank in my Alvis Stalwart was drained of 2 litres of water for no other reason than the tank is normally kept near empty over along period of time and different temperatures.....the fuel was other wise clean.
Do you really think the fuel companies make diesel with water and rust/bacteria etc in it.
take note that large trucks and earth moving gear etc have decent filters as the product is designed to last long as possible and be reliable as possible so the product gets a good name and the up front costs of the vehicle is such that the owner must get good service out of it or they will not buy another.

The Mr funnel is a great piece of kit, but not everyone would be willing to spend the time using one.
When I was flying ultralite aircraft, we used mr funnels on every refuel.
It is interesting to note all aircraft have water drains in the bottom of the tank and preflight checks require inspection of the drained fuel...............the reason why is storage of fuel causes water build up in fuel tanks both in the aircraft and supply tanks.

Originally Posted by justinc

Goodness me, hasn't this degenerated.

The issue with CR engines is that IF you try and run them on contaminated fuel etc, or drive them through deep water enough to damage electric's etc then yes, you will be stranded, BUT they are far more robust than most realise. Like Pat says taking them into remote areas isn't a problem. The ONLY trouble arises when you discover that most outback workshops aren't up to diagnosing and repairing modern CR diesel engine technology etc so don't expect much help there.

Don't worry folks, they won't turn into pumpkins at midnight....


JC

Trouble is JC people only think of the motor,there's a hundred and one other things that can go wrong and bring everything to a stop. Pat