My Toyota Hilux 3,0-litre D-4D recently started making a horrible diesel knocking sound. I took it to the nearest garage and the mechanic said: “It’s our fuel. We’re expected to run first world technology engines on third world diesel fuel.”
I then took it to a Toyota dealer who suggested that I change the fuel filter and put some fuel system cleaner through the engine. He also expressed the same sentiment as the mechanic. This eliminated the knock for two weeks but the engine still had a small misfire.
The knock returned and I then took it to another Toyota dealer, where the mechanic diagnosed dirty injectors. He said: "Common-rail fuel systems are hi-tech and are designed for European diesel. Our diesel is just not good enough. The injectors would have remained clean for ages if good diesel were available." Isn't it funny that three "experts" from different parts of the country say the same about our diesel?
BERT SCHOEMAN – By e-mail
All three mechanics are wrong. It is a common perception that our diesel fuel is inferior compared to the fuel in Europe, but in fact the only thing wrong with it is that the sulphur content is 50 instead of 10 ppm. This can be countered by changing the oil more frequently.
This opinion comes from a university-based fuel researcher as well as an expert specialising in examining engine failures for insurance companies. Suphur cannot cause the injectors to fail but a dirty fuel filter or contaminated fuel can. Fuel bought from an out-of-the-way garage is sometimes laced with paraffin to make more profit, or mixed with water due to neglect.