Can anyone explain how the duel fuel tanks and instrument panel works?
I have 138 litres (1 x 93l and 1 x 45l).
The indicator can show I have less than 100 klms range left but I can only get 100 or so litres in the tank. This happens when around town (about 14klms / 100klm) and also when towing (about 20-22 klms/ 100klms).
I am struggling to have confidence in the fuel level indicator or does it only show the level un the main tank?
Welcome to the gang DickandKerry, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I can't help with your question and if you don't have much luck here in the 'General' section after a while, pop your question in the 'Techie' section.
Keep safe on the roads and out there.
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Bit more info on the model and year of the Landcruiser as they are all different.
It sounds like you have a wagon of some description and some of them treat the two fuel tanks as one, do you have two fillers? two fuel gauges? a switch to change tanks etc?
That's what I would have thought but the gauge shows almost empty, the display shows I only have 90 klms distance left but can only get, max 105 litres of fuel when refilling.
I suppose it is better it is to be this way as i should never run out.
Hi Dickandkerry.
This is only a suggestion and something you could try.
When I fill my 200 series Landcruser (128 ltr tank) the pump clicks off approx 12 ltrs short of full.
This is due to the Diesel "foaming" (if thats the correct word) in the tank. The last 12 Ltrs take quite a few minutes if a full tank is the required.
As you have 2 separate tanks; it`s possible that the above situation is compounded.
Regards.
Hi Dickandkerry, like you guys I am a newby in here as well. Even though your situation is different, I thought I would relate my experience in this area. I bought a 1992 Troopy and had an after market long range tank put in in Kalgoorlie for $900 back in 1994. The standard tank was 90 litres and the new one was 150 litres with no guage, just a transfer pump. Anyway I soon worked it out and used to give the transfer pump 3 lots of 20 minutes to keep track of where I was . I used that method for the next 14 years and it worked out quite good.
Sometimes I love old technology.
On my 80 series it is two separate tanks, two gauges and a switch to choose which tank you want to run on.
I have tried running tanks to empty and the 95l main tank is 92l usable while the sub tank is 50l with 48l usable.
So simple and so easy.
Sometimes I love old technology. On my 80 series it is two separate tanks, two gauges and a switch to choose which tank you want to run on. I have tried running tanks to empty and the 95l main tank is 92l usable while the sub tank is 50l with 48l usable. So simple and so easy.
Hi Hewy54
Now that is too easy for new cars. A computer is needed to confuse the operator and make sure the (d)stealer needs to become involved too for a cut of the action. That's progress in the new century Or is it people are too lasy to use a switch. Next step is to read it on the smart phone app
Sometimes I love old technology. On my 80 series it is two separate tanks, two gauges and a switch to choose which tank you want to run on. I have tried running tanks to empty and the 95l main tank is 92l usable while the sub tank is 50l with 48l usable. So simple and so easy.
Hi Hewy54 and Aussie
Now that is too easy for new cars. A computer is needed to confuse the operator and make sure the (d)stealer needs to become involved too for a cut of the action. That's progress in the new century Or is it people are too lasy to use a switch. Next step is to read it on the smart phone app
Ok I have a Prado with twin 90 lt. tanks , You fill both tank through one filler and when full you have 180 lts. , The fuel gauge now show full when it drop to half full on the gauge it changes to full again but at that stage a green symbol light which shows 90 lts. , Then the gauge will drop right down to empty on the last 90 lts. at 1/4 mark I refill and it take about 150 lts.
There is only one fuel filler, one fuel gauge and no changeover switch.
I believe this is standard for landcruisers.
The real issue I am trying to sort out is having any confidence in what the fuel level indicator on the dash is actually indicating.
Does is it that the main tank is empty but the auxiliary still has fuel it or does the display mean that it is the combined level.
So far with all my testing it does seem to show the correct levels.
I discussed with the local Toyota dealer and they advise that everything is all OK with the tanks but noe one could give me any consistent answer.
Appreciate any assistance
Hello Dickandkerry
Firstly welcome to the forum
As no one with your model (2011 Sahara) has come forward with an answer, I did a bit of searching so the following info is only my interpretation, which could be wrong
Hopefully a Mechanic, or owner, of your type of vehicle will eventually come forward, to fully answer your question
It appears that there are two different types of tank setup for this vehicle
The original factory fitted extra tank was known as the sub tank
Sometimes the dealer added the second tank, it was then known as the auxiliary tank
I can only suggest that you ask a mechanical minded person to crawl underneath, and see where all the pipes go, to find out if the sub/auxiliary tank does drain into the main tank, or if there is an automatic change over system, controlled by the computer
As you say, it would be good to know if there is still fuel in the sub/auxiliary tank, or if the fuel sender in the main tank is not reading correctly, and you have plenty of fuel left
Hi Dickandkerry, like you guys I am a newby in here as well. Even though your situation is different, I thought I would relate my experience in this area. I bought a 1992 Troopy and had an after market long range tank put in in Kalgoorlie for $900 back in 1994. The standard tank was 90 litres and the new one was 150 litres with no guage, just a transfer pump. Anyway I soon worked it out and used to give the transfer pump 3 lots of 20 minutes to keep track of where I was . I used that method for the next 14 years and it worked out quite good.
Hello Aussie
Slightly off topic, and I hope that Dickandkerry do not mind
But...
May I be one of the first, to welcome you to the forum
And it's welcome from us two 2 DickandKerry also Aussie.
Gee I'm glad I have a patrol the sub tank in it has its own gauge and there is a switch that you turn on and if the main tank fills it turns itself off and if it empties the sub tank it turns itself off and you know that there is no fuel left in the sub tank it's all in the main one, simple, KISS principle must be another reason I prefer Patrol to cruiser but I'm probably off topic here, sorry
Woody
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I suggest a good read of the LCOOL forum for any Landcrusier owner. It is full of good info. I just had a look at some discussion on the dual fuel tank arrangement in Landcrusier 200's on that forum. It is best to have read yourself, but a quick summary as I understand it is below.Transfer between tanks is automatic if all is working ok and the gauge indicates how much total fuel you have in the tanks.
Newer diesel Landcrusier 200 series usually have two tanks which are connected together all the time a 93L main and and 45L auxiliary, total of 138L (128L usable). The fuel gauge shows how much fuel you have of the total of the two tanks and when you get to around 20L left a fuel warning light will come on. If you can only fit in less than 100L in both tanks when gauge reads empty you may have a problem with transfer of fuel from the auxiliary tank. This is a known fault and there are 11 pages on the LCOOL 200 forum discussing this problem. There is about 10L of fuel in the tank of 138L which is not usable and this is normal.
Good Luck Terry
-- Edited by Yabbietol on Sunday 18th of September 2016 06:33:37 PM
-- Edited by Yabbietol on Sunday 18th of September 2016 06:39:41 PM
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Tow was NW 2013 Diesel Auto Pajero and is now a Landcrusier LC200 GX.
Check if tanks have a balance pipe between the two tanks ? On mine although not Toyota has two with crossover pipe . The gauge works from one tank but over both .
Or is it people are too lasy to use a switch. Next step is to read it on the smart phone app 
