first trek and dust!

[topspark Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topspark]

Gday all
Just returned from my first half decent trek in the 150 GXL D4D.
Went from Melbourne via Adelaide, up the Stuart highway, then at Erldundah,crossed the Hugh river stock route to Deep well ( in between finke and Alice ) then up to Alice.
Then Alice via Adelaide back to Melbourne.
Did approximately 500kms on dirt of various terrains.
Towed a 7' x 3' box trailer.
Apart from some small stone chip damage, the prado was brilliant, did not miss a beat.
The only problem was the dust! Heaps of it and I could not seem to keep it out. It covered all internal surfaces.
Can anyone tell me the best way to deal with this in the future.
Do I run the air con' with the internal recirc selected? ( as I did )
All thoughts on this appreciated.
cheers

[stephenvsl Member Find all posts View Profile Close stephenvsl]

Re: first trek and dust!

Some car companies used to test how airtight their vehicles were by putting a bird inside. If the bird died, they knew there was no air getting in. Landrover gave up on this practice, they found that cats kept getting in through the gaps in their panels and they were eating the birds

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: first trek and dust!

Unless you're in convoy then on "Fresh" with the fan on is your best bet. Just flick to "recirc" when you have oncoming traffic.

Mick

[bevwone Member Find all posts View Profile Close bevwone]

Re: first trek and dust!

I always have the air on fresh for driving on dirt roads. I turn it onto recirc only when a vehicle passes while driving through their dust. Dont have a problem.

Also - the 120 series has a filter behind the glove box. I dont know about the 150.

See this topic for further details

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic....st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Bev

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Re: first trek and dust!

I can only discuss the 120 series, but I am sure the 150 series I have checked out are not much different, there is a fair bit of discussion on this subject on previous posts.
1. Only use "re-circ" when you are in a dust cloud, use "fresh" air in to give the cabin a positive pressure when dust clears.
2. Never tailgait in dusty conditions, unless safe to overtake a vehicle always hang back in the less dense dust with HVAC in "re-circ".
3. Never drive with windows open if HVAC is on "re-circ" on dusty roads.
4. If you must open windows install air deflectors to the front windows over the years I have found these are only partially effective in excluding dust.
5. I normally only open windows when the dust is clear and then only the front ones.
6. Check that all rubber body grommets which are used to pass wiring looms through steel and plastic panels are in place correctly, with all outer sealing lips neatly tucked in on edges. (this was a major issue with the 120 trailer wiring looms installed by dealersin the cargo area wings) you will need to get under truck to check correctly, also check engine bay firewall rubber grommets are in place and all wiring penetrations are sealed correctly.
7. Get your dealer to check all door sealing rubbers are correct.

Sorry if a bit of suck eggs stuff in here, but thats about all I can help with without getting into boring techo stuff.

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Re: first trek and dust!

As above, but the cabin air filter is pathetic. (It works better once its filled with dust.) :wink:

[leighland Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close leighland]

Re: first trek and dust!

I have just done 10500 KMS Melb to Cape York in GX 150 T/D Auto in 5.5 weeks.
Did approx 4000 KMS on dirt I reckon.
Whereever I went the Air was always on Recirc on Bitumen and dirt.
Dust was amost non existent.
I Never open any windows on a dusty road, I have weathershield on Drivers door too.
Only when almost back in Melb I went to Fresh Air and guess what, Car got dusty!
In 150 there is a Filter behind Glovebox, check the handbook for access info, make sure the cable thing( on LHS) that controls the "Soft" opening does not get lost back into hole, cant get it out!
Handbook suggests you replace filter, I simply "HIT" the dust out and fan speed of air increased markedly.
When placing Glovebox back into slots it needs a good hard shove downwards otherwise lid wont shut.
Good luck
Leighland

[IRON-PAWW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close IRON-PAWW]

Re: first trek and dust!

Well I agree with the positive air pressure in the cab camp. So that's fresh when there's no dust and turn to recirc in dusty conditions. With that method I've managed to keep this Prado pretty dust free inside. You'll always get a bit in there, but nothing too bad. It makes perfect sense if you stop and think about it. With positive air pressure inside the cab, the dust wont come in through whatever small hole it may find, because air is already coming out of that small hole preventing it. But yeah, keeping the "small holes" to a minimum also helps no end. Just my take on it.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: first trek and dust!

Toyota reccomend Fresh air when on dusty roads (Pressurise cabin). Switch to Recirc when passing or in dusty conditions with other cars/ wind storms around).

Have them check the bungs in the rear of the car... A lot of the towbar wiring has a large grommet that gets left out by a slack installer... Mine did and it sucked so much bloody dust in!!! Toyota ended up fixing it and cleaned car internally twice for me..

[topspark Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topspark]

Re: first trek and dust!

Gday team Piggy
You may have hit this on the head.
After I picked up the car from having the tow bar fitted, there was a large grommet sitting just inside the door ledge.
I looked every where but could not work out where it went. I am now guessing its as you have indicated.
Do you know where the grommet went?
cheers

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: first trek and dust!

Follow the trailer cables and it should have a hole somewhere...

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: first trek and dust!

Yep, same thing was done on mine. Filled the car up with a tonne of WA red dust which I am still trying to get out after 6 months.
I didn't have a grommet that fitted so made up a patch out of sheet rubber and sikaflexed in to place. That fixed the problem completely.