Thread: help needed some kind of fueling problem

G'day Stumpy, I think you have looked at all the most possible causes but there is another one that you could check. Inside the fuel tank on the pickup pipe there is a fine mesh sock/strainer. Over time this tends to block up with all the crap that gets in with the fuel. To check it, drop the tank and remove the pickup (top centre of the tank). You will see the crud on it if it is the problem. Tear the mesh sock off and put the bare fuel pickup pipe back in. As long as you have a decent sedimenter/prefilter setup, the sock is not required and basically is nothing but a nuisance as it's better to get the crud out of the tank and into a filter where it can be removed. It's a bit of a pain to get the tank out but it maybe will fix your problem.

Originally Posted by stumpy

why would to matter from petrol to diesel, it still would take overflow, but is that tank ment to have a higher breather ? the tank seems to have only one inlet and no outlet ?

That small tank is what they call an expansion tank and probably only fitted to petrol models because of petrol's higher expansion rate on a hot day with a full tank. The breather itself is on the filler body.

Originally Posted by Bearman

That small tank is what they call an expansion tank and probably only fitted to petrol models because of petrol's higher expansion rate on a hot day with a full tank. The breather itself is on the filler body.

That makes more sense.

thank you everybody for you help, it is now fixed ! it was the gaze filter on the end of the pick up line, bearman you were right. i didn't know how fuel even managed to go through it, it was completely covered in, stuff that was like mud probably dust that got in the tank. it was on the left hand side of the tank so removing the tank wasn't needed. i just took it of cause it will get stopped at the sediment filter anyway. i have driven it round a few km's but the real test will be driving it over the gateway tomoz, i hope that is the end to this problem

cheers everyone

Originally Posted by stumpy

thank you everybody for you help, it is now fixed ! it was the gaze filter on the end of the pick up line, bearman you were right. i didn't know how fuel even managed to go through it, it was completely covered in, stuff that was like mud probably dust that got in the tank. it was on the left hand side of the tank so removing the tank wasn't needed. i just took it of cause it will get stopped at the sediment filter anyway. i have driven it round a few km's but the real test will be driving it over the gateway tomoz, i hope that is the end to this problem

cheers everyone

Taking it off is the best thing you could do Stumpy. I found out about this on a trip from North Goonyella to Townsville some years ago. Engine would starve on uphill runs and when overtaking. I changed the sedimenter filter, then the engine filter,( I always carry a spare set of filters including the oil ones) then cleaned the gauze strainer under the domed nut near the lift pump. Problem was still there and the moment I went over 80K on a flat run it would starve and cut out. By now I guessed it was in the tank pickup as I had virtuallt ruled out everything else but didn't want to drop the tank and fix it until I got home some 400K's away. I must have a different type tank to you as my pickup is on the top of the tank and requires removal to get at it. All the showies were on the highway at the time and I followed a truck/caravan for some time before I was game to overtake him - he kept indicating for me to overtake but I left it until I was on a long straight and no oncoming traffic. He was doing about 75 - 80 and yes, you guessed it, I slowly overtook him and just got in front when it cut out. I was very embarrassed and indicated and pulled over onto the side of the road. As I did I saw the expression on the face of the showie-shaking his head. I can imagine what he was thinking!!. When I got home I dropped the tank and found the gauze strainer was like yours - completely covered in crud and lint. It's a wonder any fuel was getting through at all. Since then I haven't had any fuel problems, now everything gets to the filters.

Originally Posted by stumpy

i followed the breather and it joins to the fuel filler breather then goes to a small tank thing up in behind the rear quarter panel but can't find a breather coming form that it seems to be a closed tank ?

Originally Posted by rar110

I understand that's a device fitted to V8's only to take overflow on extreme vehicle angles. Not fitted to Isuzu rovers.

Some years ago emmission requirements prevented allowing petrol vapours into the atmosphere and vented fillers were outlawed. That small tank on petrol landies of the time is for expansion of petrol vapour and it has a breather conected to the canister in the engine which in turn breaths IIRC to the engine inlet.

Diesel fuel tanks (at least for the years we are interested with) should be vented to atmosphere.

Stumpy, glad you had success. This thread has also shown you a few other issues that you should follow up with.

Diesel tanks can get water in them from time to time and must be taken seriously.

Sources of water can be:

Condensation of water vapour (humidity) in the atmosphere when the temp drops (same as the cause of dew on grass) and this is best reduced by keeping the tank full to reduce the air volume.

Water in the service station tank. This is best avoided by purchasing fuel from a place thas has a large turnover. Remember to always ask for a reciept in case you need to claim $$$$ for repairs resulting from a purchase of bad fuel.

Water can create 2 severe problems. Corrosion inside the fuel injection pump. Supports growth of fungus (has various other names such as black death and diesel snot) at the diesel/water interface - I hope this isn't what blocked you inlet.