Sand in the tank, headlights, or electrical issues, the saga continues for the 4th time? (10/9/18)

I guess we will see...

 

I haven't read the whole thread, so some of my comments might have brought up already. Just let me know.

Being so close to Pismo, take a jar and grab some of that specific sand. Then pour some gas into the jar. Keep it on the shelf and see how long it takes to "dissolve."

Have another jar, and go to the gas station where you last filled up before your problems. Fill that jar and see if there is any sediment or whatnot in the tank. That would be really good proof of the problem being from the gas station, since that seems to be the last place/thing prior to the issue. If there is a lot of crud in their tank.

Like Chris had said, the "sand" shouldn't cause this issue. These Tacoma's have an intank fuel filter. That would have had to catastrophically fail for sand to clog the fuel lines so badly, and the injectors, that they fail. I do admit, I assume the 2016 has a similar intank fuel filter setup as the 2nd gen's, despite being direct injection. I do not actually know.

Either way, there would be sand and or sediment all in the tank. I have replaced many a pump in the 2nd gen, and have found sediment many times in the fuel bucket, right next to the fuel sock, and was not ever stuck to the sock. Despite such close proximity.

I don't know if you had said that engine turns over, but if it does while trying to start it, and there are no odd noises, then my hunch in a sensor issue. Again, I haven't read every page, so my apologies.

 

The 16 only has the fuel sock. From the diagrams Icant find the specifications of it though.

 

If that be the case, then some a diesel fuel filter mod is in order. Maybe the D4D Hilux has a fuel filteration system that could be copied or bolted on?

For those interested of course.

 

Here is a photo from my recent trip to Pismo...spent the whole day there...windy with some sand in the air...ran the whole beach and some light dunes and soft sand...edge of the ocean with both wheels in...no issues and then off to Moab for four days in the red rock stuff...the only thing that I would add is that the fuel filler door area inside does collect "dust" and I wipe it out before opening the fuel filler cap...if the cap were off or ajar it could suck in some debris as the fuel sloshes around and is consumed...

 

Cap was closed tight. I'm not sure how it would of got there.


The constant bit here is water. But the ruled out water intrusion. I'm thinking that when I pressure washed it, I am pretty thorough and blast water into every crevice to get sand and salt out. There's a charcoal filter at the top of the filler neck for the vent tube, and an "air cleaner" on top of the evap system. I wonder if some how things entered this way?

I spent a lot of time looking over diagrams last night...

 

Sensor, or gas fill problem.

Never answered the question about if it would crank without problems, but just wouldn't start.

 

It starts. Just won't run. It's the high pressure system that's screwed up apparently.

Insurance only covers the gas tank. They claim that and particles shouldn't be getting past the fuel tank.

 

They're right. You're in a tough spot here man. I wish you luck but I don't know what the hell I'd be doing if I were you. Pay some neighbourhood kids to go torch it in the lot.

 

ECU swap to low pressure indirect injection only.

Is there a blow fuse for the high pressure system, bad relay, or something preventing it from working?

 

I'd be contacting an attorney at this point. Actually, I already would've. If everything you've told us is everything that happened then contact an attorney.

 

I noticed at my first fill-up a few weeks back that there was no lock on the fuel door and was surprised. Is this normal for most trucks?

 

The only question I have, is did the OP ever leave his Tacoma unattended from the rescues to the car wash, so that someone could mess with it?

 

I opened another case with Toyota , this time bringing my insurance company and mentioning my next step is a lawyer. I have the dealer, tech, and USAA all saying sand shouldn't make it past the tank.

The vehicle was only "unattended" in my small quiet hotel parking lot. Right outside my ground level, open window. For one night. It was then parked next to a businesses trailer at pismo while I took the rzr out.

I drove4- 5 hrs home and went straight to car wash.

I was surprised as well that a 41k dollar truck doesn't have a locking fuel door.

 

Adjuster called back. He's mentioning "total loss " and totalling it out..

 

Wow.

 

holy crap

 

Well. I have gap insurance...