General how to prepare the Grenadier for very poor Diesel fuel quality?

[Dieter]

I need some advice in order to prepare my EU spec Diesel Grenadier MY23 for a long overland journey through some countries were somewhat bad Diesel fuel quality is available only.
What I know so far, in some countries (Kenya, NAM, SA) the Diesel is already equipped with an additional Diesel water separator filter from the factory, also without AdBlue and I guess some other parts are different to an EU specced Diesel. I also expect that the engine control software is different as well for those countries. The additional Diesel water separator filter can now be ordered as an option from MY24 on, but I assume we can retrofit this part at an INEOS workshop.

Maybe someone have deeper knowledge what we can do/change so that the Diesel engine can work with those bad quality fuels.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Having the fuel/water separator is the most useful step. Your main enemies are water, particulates (often rust) and algae contamination (including algae do do).

ADDITIVES
Another thing I do is use Fuel Doctors in remote areas, but I do not know if you can source it. It is added to every tank when I am remote (in Australia, where you can get dodgy fuel).

Sometimes I will use Smith Lubricants Diesel Power Up instead, neither is cheap, but it is cheap insurance. I do not use both at once, unless the fuel is being stored in my aux tanks before going into the car.

MR FUNNEL
Mr Funnel can filter out water and debris from fuel, look here. It is the cheapest option over the longer term.

All AU Spec diesels have the water/fuel separator as standard, even the 23 year model.

View: https://youtu.be/ik0VNBHcnMw

 

[Dieter]

Having the fuel/water separator is the most useful step. Your main enemies are water, particulates (often rust) and algae contamination.

ADDITIVES
Another thing I do is use Fuel Doctors in remote areas, but I do not know if you can source it. It is added to every tank when I am remote (in Australia, where you can get dodgy fuel).

Sometimes I will use Smith Lubricants Diesel Power Up instead, neither is cheap, but it is cheap insurance. I do not use both at once, unless the fuel is being stored in my aux tanks before going into the car.

MR FUNNEL
Mr Funnel can filter out water and debris from fuel, look here. It is the cheapest option over the longer term.

All AU Spec diesels have the water/fuel separator as standard, even the 23 year model.

View: https://youtu.be/ik0VNBHcnMw

Thanks, Mr. Funnel filter is already on my list. This part is great to clean any fuel from water and debris before you fill it into your Jerry Can or tank!

 

[globalgregors]

Thanks, Mr. Funnel filter is already on my list. This part is great to clean any fuel from water and debris before you fill it into your Jerry Can or tank!

Yes, also handy when the fuel is provided from an awkward receptacle:

 

[Grenadeere99]

I need some advice in order to prepare my EU spec Diesel Grenadier MY23 for a long overland journey through some countries were somewhat bad Diesel fuel quality is available only.
What I know so far, in some countries (Kenya, NAM, SA) the Diesel is already equipped with an additional Diesel water separator filter from the factory, also without AdBlue and I guess some other parts are different to an EU specced Diesel. I also expect that the engine control software is different as well for those countries. The additional Diesel water separator filter can now be ordered as an option from MY24 on, but I assume we can retrofit this part at an INEOS workshop.

Maybe someone have deeper knowledge what we can do/change so that the Diesel engine can work with those bad quality fuels.

Did you manage to retrofit the water separator filter in the end ?

 

[TheDocAUS]

Did you manage to retrofit the water separator filter in the end ?

I would look at Dr Funnell linked above.

 

[Grenadeere99]

I would look at Dr Funnell linked above.

Thank you . I have got it saved on my eBay. My reason for wanting the inline filter is I’ve been caught out in my old vehicle from diesel I didn’t know expect to be bad at all. So it’s nice to have it as an extra line of defence permanently.

 

[Grenadeere99]

I would look at Dr Funnell linked above.

Hi Doc,

Regarding fuel filters, has anyone found a way to properly prime the filters if changing without a dealer? I learnt from a tech that grenadiers prime of cranking so unless you have a diagnostics tool it’s virtually impossible to prime properly.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Hi Doc,

Regarding fuel filters, has anyone found a way to properly prime the filters if changing without a dealer? I learnt from a tech that grenadiers prime of cranking so unless you have a diagnostics tool it’s virtually impossible to prime properly.

I do not have any knowledge on that topic, and I cannot remember it being posted either. However my memory since the accident is not very good - one reason I maintain the list of links.

 

[Logsplitter]

I need some advice in order to prepare my EU spec Diesel Grenadier MY23 for a long overland journey through some countries were somewhat bad Diesel fuel quality is available only.
What I know so far, in some countries (Kenya, NAM, SA) the Diesel is already equipped with an additional Diesel water separator filter from the factory, also without AdBlue and I guess some other parts are different to an EU specced Diesel. I also expect that the engine control software is different as well for those countries. The additional Diesel water separator filter can now be ordered as an option from MY24 on, but I assume we can retrofit this part at an INEOS workshop.

Maybe someone have deeper knowledge what we can do/change so that the Diesel engine can work with those bad quality fuels.

Hi @Dieter Only just spotted this thread and as I remember euro spec Grenadiers can accept up-to 50ppm sulphur in diesel so diesel quality in Southern African is fine for EU spec Grenadiers. South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, 50ppm diesel widely available, can’t remember fuel quality in Angola but I’m sure diesel of 50ppm is available in Malawi and Zambia when I was there last year even though mine is a petrol Grenadier. Things are changing fast in Africa as more and more euro spec cars with modern diesel engines are being used there and so fuel quality has had to improve to supply demand. I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine in all those East African countries. South Africa and parts of Namibia even has 10pm diesel
And of course carry the “MrFunnel” for any fuel not taken from a forecourt. I use one for petrol also.

50 PPM Sulfur Diesel Continues to Dominate in 17 Countries with Two or More Diesel Market Grades | Stratas Advisors

www.stratasadvisors.com

 

[AWo]

Define poor quality. Different things require different measures.

AWo

 

[Logsplitter]

Define poor quality. Different things require different measures.

AWo

If that is a question for me then I’m talking about sulphur levels. Everything else you can filter out I think. When I lived in Malawi I had a common rail diesel engine in my Hilux and never had any problems travelling around different countries, even though some were very high sulphur at the time.
During a trip through west Africa in 2019 I had a euro 5 spec 2014 Defender 2.2 diesel and had green sludge dripping out of my exhaust due to extremely high sulphur in Guinea and Senegal. That probably wouldn’t do the injectors a lot of good.
That’s the best photo from sulphur in fuel I’ve got after it had all dried up after an exhaust re gen. The other thing to note is that the exhaust required many more regents than normal and consequently more oil changes.

 

[Grenadeere99]

I think the other main concern is the water content. Yes a mr Funnel is handy but fitting an extra inline separator is another line of defence and you’re far less likely to get yourself covered in diesel. I was in a more eastern European country in my old vehicle some years ago when after filling up I ended up in limp mode. Fortunately I had a code reader and some fuel doctor and got going again. I understand from Ineos technical the water separator is retrofittable although it’s not apparent if the water sensors are fitted within the standard Europespec loom or not. Carrying a spare fuel filter might be an option but the grenadier primes on crank so unless you have a diagnostics tool that will enable priming you may running the pump dry for a second or two.

 

[Logsplitter]

Filters are one of the things that concerns me, as the European petrol model has the pump and filter within the fuel tank, with no other inline filter.

 

[Grenadeere99]

Filters are one of the things that concerns me, as the European petrol model has the pump and filter within the fuel tank, with no other inline filter.

Nothing like a simple inline filter with a bowl for viewing and draining. It’s something I’m trying to figure out at the moment. I will let you know if I have any success.

 

[landmannnn]

Nothing like a simple inline filter with a bowl for viewing and draining. It’s something I’m trying to figure out at the moment. I will let you know if I have any success.

Something like this perhaps mounted near the existing inline filter?

 

[Grenadeere99]

Something like this perhaps mounted near the existing

Yes it’s just a case of fitting something that won’t upset the HPFP. The Australian version is retrofittable it’s just the sensors and programming them to the vehicle that is the unknown at the moment.

 

[Grenadeere99]

Well after a few weeks of back and forth with the customer service regarding retrofitting the optional fuel filter it appears that it can’t be done and they’re “unable” to provide details in order to fit an aftermarket one. Fuel line size isn’t an issue the main unknown is the current micron rating of filtering from the standard The BMW part number 13329886040 fuel filter. I’ve tried BMW dealers, BMW techs, BMW tuning specialists and forums with no real confirmation. My current thought is to over engineer a system which far exceeds the fuel flow rate and micron rating of the OEM to ensure no restriction to the HPFP.

 

[landmannnn]

Well after a few weeks of back and forth with the customer service regarding retrofitting the optional fuel filter it appears that it can’t be done and they’re “unable” to provide details in order to fit an aftermarket one. Fuel line size isn’t an issue the main unknown is the current micron rating of filtering from the standard The BMW part number 13329886040 fuel filter. I’ve tried BMW dealers, BMW techs, BMW tuning specialists and forums with no real confirmation. My current thought is to over engineer a system which far exceeds the fuel flow rate and micron rating of the OEM to ensure no restriction to the HPFP.

It might be worth investigating types of marine solutions. They have deal with poor quality fuel, engine reliability being considerably more critical.
Don't expect it to be cheap!