Mercedes Mullins
Water in the fuel tank of a Toyota Hilux can be caused by contaminated fuel or water ingress from driving through water. It is recommended to drain the fuel tank at every service to remove water and add a fungicide to prevent diesel fungus from clogging the filter. Water can be drained from the fuel filter by opening the petcock or drain cock at the bottom of the fuel filter. This can be done by pulling the passenger side fender well and using a 7mm socket, 10mm socket, and a pair of needle-nose pliers. After draining, the drain plug should be retightened by hand.
How to drain water from the fuel filter of a diesel Hilux
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of draining | Every service |
| Preventative measures | Avoid running the tank below 1/4 full |
| Tools required | 7mm socket, 10mm socket, needle nose pliers, channel locks |
| Steps | 1. Pull the passenger side fender well on the front. 2. Locate the filter. 3. Unplug the wire. 4. Open the drain cock and collect the drained fluid in an empty water bottle. 5. Drain until clear fuel comes out. 6. Retighten the drain cock. 7. Locate the bleeder screw on the filter head and open it. 8. Prime the filter until solid fuel comes out. |
| Additional advice | Install a prefilter or a gasoline fuel filter before the diesel filter to catch impurities. |
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What You'll Learn
Water in the diesel tank
To prevent water accumulation in the diesel tank, it is recommended to avoid running the tank below a quarter full and to have the tank drained at every service. Additionally, consider adding a fungicide to prevent diesel fungus from clogging the filter and installing a water separator to remove water and sediment from the tank.
If you suspect water in the diesel tank of your Toyota Hilux, the first step is to check the fuel water filter warning light. If the light is on, it indicates a potential issue with water in the fuel filter. You can try resetting the light, but if it comes back on, you will need to take further action.
To drain water from the fuel filter of a Toyota Hilux, locate the wing nut tap or cock/tap underneath the filter. Loosen it until you see water coming out, then retighten the drain plug without using any tools. It is recommended to drain about 300ml of fluid and then give it a few pumps before closing it up and reprimming the system. You can also consider installing a prefilter or a gasoline fuel filter before the diesel filter to catch any major impurities.
In some cases, you may need to remove the fuel tank to drain it completely or add an external electric fuel pump to the line leading to the main injection pump. Additionally, consider inspecting the fuel pump and injectors for any damage caused by water contamination.
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$8.99
Using a cock/tap underneath the filter
Water can enter your fuel system in a few ways. Water can get in through the tank breather if you drive through water without a filter or a faulty filter. Diesel also naturally absorbs moisture over time. To prevent water from damaging your engine, diesel fuel filters are designed to separate the fuel and water. The water collected by the filter must be emptied out occasionally, otherwise, it will start to pull through the filter and damage your engine.
To drain water from your fuel filter, locate the cock or tap underneath the filter. Open the tap to drain the water. After draining, retighten the drain plug. Do not use a tool. You can drain about 300ml, or half a stubbie, and then give it a few pumps. Close it up and then reprime the system.
You can also drain the filter housing, the tank, and the filter, refill the tank, and then pump the fuel filter button. However, if water has gotten into the fuel pump, you may need to replace the fuel pump.
To prevent water from entering your fuel system, do not run the tank below 1/4 full and get the fuel tank drained at every service to remove water. You can also add a fungicide to stop diesel fungus from clogging the filter and install a water and sediment separator before the fuel filter.
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Installing a prefilter
There are several prefilter kits available for the Hilux, such as the Fuel Manager Pre-Filter Kit, which includes 30-micron filters and dual-battery installations. This kit is designed to be used as a pre-filter to separate water and contaminants, thus avoiding costly repairs due to poor fuel quality. It comes with detailed fitting instructions and all the necessary parts for installation.
Another option is the DieselCare 30-micron pre-filter, which can be fitted by a diesel mechanic. This filter is designed to catch the majority of contaminants before they reach the OE filter, and it also has a water catch and the ability to have a water alarm built-in.
When installing a prefilter, it is important to consider the micron size of the filter. Most pre-filters are around 30 microns, while the genuine filters in the Hilux are typically smaller at 4 microns. A smaller micron size means that the filter can catch smaller particles, but it is important to note that a prefilter with a larger micron size can still provide effective protection by catching the majority of contaminants.
It is also worth noting that installing a prefilter will likely not void your warranty, while installing a post-filter might. Additionally, some Hilux models already have a factory water separator incorporated into the genuine filter housing, so an aftermarket pre-filter may not always be necessary. However, it can still be beneficial for additional filtration capacity and visually checking for water.
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Adding a fungicide
To prevent water from entering your fuel system, it is good practice to not run your tank below a quarter full. You should also get your fuel tank drained at every service to remove water. Adding a fungicide to your fuel tank can help to prevent diesel fungus from clogging your filter.
Fungus grows in diesel fuel when it is exposed to water, which can happen when water vapour condenses inside the fuel tank. This is more likely to occur when the tank is less than three-quarters full, as there is more air space for condensation to occur. Over time, bacteria and fungus can grow in the water layer that forms at the bottom of the tank, and this can spread into the diesel layer above.
There are many different types of fungicides available on the market, and it is important to choose one that is compatible with your diesel fuel and engine. Some fungicides are designed for use with specific types of diesel fuel, such as bio-diesel or marine diesel. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct dosage and application method.
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The water watch trap assembly
The "water watch" trap assembly is a system that alerts you to the presence of water in your fuel. When you turn on the ignition, the system buzzes to indicate that it is operational. While driving, it will buzz to warn you if there is water in the fuel. The price of the system is approximately $390, with an additional fitting cost of around $150.
The "water watch" trap assembly can be a useful investment to prevent water damage to your diesel Hilux. Water can enter the fuel system through various means, such as water crossing with a missing or damaged filter or diesel absorbing moisture over time.
To drain water from the fuel filter, you can refer to the following steps:
- Pull the passenger side fender well on the front. You will need a 7mm socket, 10mm socket, and a pair of needle nose pliers.
- Locate the fuel filter, which is a big white or black component with a white drain at the bottom and a wire coming out of it.
- Unplug the wire and use channel locks to open the drain cock. Use an empty water bottle to collect the drained fluid, which will likely be brown and dirty.
- Continue draining until you see clear fuel coming out, indicating that the water has been removed.
- Carefully tighten the drain cock to avoid cracking it.
- Locate the bleeder screw on the filter head and open it.
- Use the primer bulb until solid fuel comes out.
- Reassemble the components, and your system should be good to go.
It is important to address water in the fuel system promptly to prevent damage to the pump and injectors. Regularly checking for water and draining the system can help maintain the health of your diesel Hilux.
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Frequently asked questions
To drain water from the fuel filter of a diesel Hilux, you can:
- Drain the filter housing, the tank, and the filter, then refill the tank.
- Locate the fuel filter and loosen the little white butterfly nut underneath.
- Drain some fuel and check for water.
- Install a "water watch" trap assembly to alert you when there is water in the fuel.
You may receive a "water in fuel" warning light or message. You can also check for water by looking at what comes out of the fuel filter when you open the petcock or drain cock.
Water can enter your fuel filter if you buy contaminated fuel. Water can also enter through the tank breather if you drive through water that is deep enough. Additionally, diesel can absorb moisture over time.
To prevent water from getting into your fuel filter, you can:
- Only buy fuel from trusted sources.
- Avoid driving through deep water.
- Drain your fuel tank and filter periodically.
- Install additional filters, such as a prefilter or a marine filter with a water separator.
