Be advised! Contaminated fuel = $6,000 'customer pay'

[Sojourner]

Perhaps this has already been covered and it is common knowledge, but I did a search and did not find anything relating to this issue.



I was recently visiting with a friend w/ a '03 CTD who is the service manager at the local Dodge dealer. I asked him how his '03 was working out and how the 3G CTDs are holding up in general. He replied, "They're doin' great, no real problems to speak of 'cept the fuel contamination issue. Last one we had in the shop cost six grand to fix. A bad case of contaminated fuel takes out the injection rail along with the injectors. "



Yikes. :--)



All y'all 3Ger's better be vigilant about what you put in that fuel tank. The whole ordeal sounds very painful. I do not envy you.

 

[Tony T.]

First I've heard of that, an six grand seems a little steep unless it's a new engine. Elaborate a little more as far a contimanation, like getting a tank full of unleaded or what. I would'nt envy anyone on getting that tank full 1st,2nd,or 3rd Gens. :{

 

[ndennis]

Turbo Dawg: Since 1983, I have owned a Dodge D-50 Turbo Diesel, a 1989 F-250 7. 3 IDI, a 1995 F-250 Powerstroke, a 2000 Ram 2500 CTD, and a 2004. 5 Ram 3500 CTD and I have put over 500,000 miles(combined) on these vehicles and I have never ever gotten any water in any diesel fuel I have bought. I have always managed to grab the green handle fuel pump and the only problem fuel related, was when california went to the current low-sulphur configuration(D-50 fuel pump leaked like a sieve). I wonder how much of the "fuel contamination" issues are actually "mis-fueling" issues caused by someone not pay attention and dumping octane fuel in their cetane tanks?

N Dennis

 

[WPeschel]

I would buy a brand new cummins engine for 6,000 smackers before I paid that for the CR that doesnt add up??????

 

[Matt400]

Interesting that you would post this... . I just finished reading up on fuel contamination troubles big time in the gas sector. Interesting reading here:



http://www.jsonline.com/news/gen/oct04/268069.asp



FYI Something odd about that link is you can only view it one time then it knows you been there and you have to register to view it again.

 

[Sojourner]

I'll get more specifics for y'all regarding that particular case and post that info when I do.



I was $o blown away in a $tate of di$belief when he told me how much the injector$ co$t each for the HPCRI that I cannot recall the co$t.

 

[WPeschel]

You can buy a set of aftermarket performance injectors for around 900 bucks. .

 

[JHardwick]

I'd be willing to bet a paycheck that Turbo Dawg and EBottema share a bunk

 

[hammersley]

"I would buy a brand new cummins engine for 6,000 smackers..

I'll take as many as you can provide me for $6,000! Unfortunately that amount of money only makes a good downpayment.....

 

[banshee]

You have to think in terms of dealer pricing... .



Injectors go for ~600 piece and ther rail is 1G+. That's 4600 in parts and the labor easily makes up the rest.



Remeber that they get 80 bucks to change a fuel filter

 

[daveshoe]

The water in fuel is related to poor design of the tank itself as water lays in the port where all the fuel supply and return lines enter/leave the tank. the vent on the top of the tank needs a line attached to it so it does not become submerged . This was an early problem ,and I do not know if it has been addressed.

 

[rbattelle]

I'd be willing to bet a paycheck that Turbo Dawg and EBottema share a bunk

:-laf



If my injectors all explode I'll just buy a set of aftermarket performance injectors... much cheaper than financing DC.



-Ryan

 

[rashwor]

Buy the rail from Cummins direct, and a nice set of performance injectors Oo.

 

[Sojourner]

So here's what happened: this idiot somehow damages his fuel tank and it is noticeably leaking diesel fuel from time to time. Water may have gotten in there, but he supposedly bought some water contaminated fuel in Louisiana and then proceeded to drive to central Texas. On the east side of Houston the WATER IN FUEL light illuminates and he continues to press on to Austin with the WATER IN FUEL light shining at him the whole time. He limps into the dealer. The truck sits for a couple of weeks while he somehow gets the insurance co. to pay for the repairs. Parts were in the neighborhood of $5,000 and labor pushed the total bill over $6,500.



This guy was a complete moron, but the morale of the story is: if the WATER IN FUEL light comes on, it is time to shut 'er down.

 

[scootergmc]

OK, TD, I'm going to agree with you on something. That guy is a moron.

 

[Tony T.]

You have to think in terms of dealer pricing... .



Injectors go for ~600 piece and ther rail is 1G+. That's 4600 in parts and the labor easily makes up the rest.



Remeber that they get 80 bucks to change a fuel filter

Taking in banshee post on DC terms of pricing I could see right quick how the bill would add up, did'nt consider that on orginal posting. Not having a dealership do anything to my truck unless under warranty, I have only received $0 cost to me on receipt statement of work performed. Also knowing these are high dollar engines I failed to mention "patch" new engine in orginal post.



I believe, If I was that ole' boy with the $6500. 00 bill I would keep one good eye glued on instrument panel from now on for any thing "red or yellow" it's there for a reason.



Tony

 

[rbattelle]

if the WATER IN FUEL light comes on, it is time to shut 'er down.

IIRC, this is in bold text in the owner's manual. Some people.

 

[Matt400]

He limps into the dealer.

That statement always gets a laugh out of me... how in the heck do you limp a vehicle- is it a subtle jerk of the steering wheel as the failing components continue to completely trash themselves?

the morale of the story is: if the WATER IN FUEL light comes on, it is time to shut 'er down.

Sounds like better advise then the limp thing.

 

[CCutshaw]

About 10 years ago I stopped at the local Chevron truck stop and filled up. I took on 34 gallons then drove home. When I hit my driveway about 6 miles away the water in fuel light came on. I drained it, restarted the truck thinking nothing of it and went to work about 8 miles away. Pulling in the parking lot at work on comes the light. After work I pulled the filter and changed it. Drained the water again. Got home on comes the light. I hook up a small electric pump and pull out about a quart of fuel from the tank to look at it in a clear jar. What a ugly green thick crap that seperated out into two layers in about an half hour.

It can happen at any stop.



Calvin

 

[Grey Wolf]

Save your fuel receipts, you can go back on the supplier