Gas in the Tank

[Travisb]

My significant other, thinking she was doing me a favor, filled up the tank from have full with unleaded regular (approx. 18 gal. ) She then drove it 15 miles and it quit running as she was stopping for a red light. She commented to me on the cell phone that the pump handle was green. Well that particular Mobil station in Granbury, TX uses a faded red handle on the only diesel pump. She was used to our Texaco here in Meridian which has a green handle (this is the common color for diesel. ) Bottom line, what can I expect. I had it towed to a dealer. He said minimum drop the tank (I expected that) but then he said the lift and injector pump may be destroyed, I assume seals? Does this sound about right. Anybody got an estimate on the dollars I am about to forfeit? Thanks in advance, Travis

 

[illflem]

When my neighbor added 25 gallons of gas to his 24 valve the bill was $2200, most was for a new IP and labor. One of the hidden costs was $12/gallon on 35 gallons ($420) for hazardous waste disposal fee.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

RUN don't walk away from that dealer and get the truck to a Cummins shop. You're probably looking at replacing the injection pump along with a bunch of other stuff - the Dodge dealer will want $4000 for the injection pump, it'll be closer to $1500 at the Cummins shop! Even if you don't need a new injection pump you'll be far better off having your truck in the hands of true diesel mechanics with access to MUCH cheaper parts at the Cummins dealer. JMHO

 

[Deezul1]

A friend of mine did the same thing with a 1st gen and it quit running also. He drained the gas out and refilled with the correct fuel and has driven it for 6 months with no trouble. Maybe the 24v pumps are a lot more fragile.

 

[Lsfarm]

Insurance?

Most comprehensive insurance policies will cover 'acts of God' or ignorance or mistaken identity like this.



I know they will cover contaminated fuel if you can prove it. Usually a reciept will do.



I whole-heartedly agree with Steve StLaurent!! Get that truck away from the dealer!! and to a Cummins shop



Best of luck, Greg L

 

[Reb.B]

well you're looking at 1,110 dollars for a rebuilt vp44 inj pump, exhange, and while u're at it, change that ridiculous lift pump and put a good one on it close to the tank. the vp 44's are lubricated by diesel. The p pump on the 12 valves have their own oil for lubricating. The gas cuts all the lubrivating qualities of diesel. Not sure why u have to drop the tank. Just siphon the gas out, suck the rest out with the lift pump and add diesel. Oh, and the dealer is the worst, expect to pay double on everything! Thats were they make their money, not on selling cars, fixing them. Good luck!

 

[nevinst]

Been There, Done That!

Our '99 at work got roughly the same treatment about 6 months ago. Got about 50/50 mix of gas and diesel and was run 30+ miles. When it came in the parking lot it was bellowing white smoke and died before it came to a stop. We must have been fortunate (Or haven't yet realized our bad kuck) since we haven't had any problems so far. We drained the tank (didn't open it or clean it, just drained it) and refilled it along with a little extra additive. It has run for over 30K since and seems fine. Didn't seem to have any ill effect on power or fuel mileage. I don't know if the injector pump is doomed for early failure as a result or not. Time will tell I guess. Good luck.

 

[snowracer69]

My Grandfather did that with his '01 CTD. He'd only had it about 3 weeks, with less than 3000 miles on it when he pumped her full (15 gal worth) of gas. Well, didn't realize it, but went chugging on down the road. It quit about 10 miles later. Got out, figured there was water in the fuel (water in fuel light came on) so he drained it at the fuel filter. Cycled the pump a couple of times, and kept going, then it quit again. After draining and driving for about 45 miles, he got to the next town. Went to the only mechanic in town and told him he had water in his tank... the mechanic looked the situation over, smelled the "water" and said, "um, no, you've got gas". The guy syphoned the entire tank, drained what was left in the filter, refilled with fresh, re-drained after running the lift pump, and told him to have a nice day... . free of charge (seemed to be a common occurance as the guy had a 100 gallon barrel of gas/diesel sitting there just for that reason). Well, 68,000 miles later, the '01 still runs like a raped-ape (when I get to drive it). It might have ruined the lift pump, but the way G'pa drives it, unless it died on the road, he wouldn't notice, and it hasn't. No other problems since, and it's been just fine. This is also the truck I plan on buying this summer, so hopefully I don't have to replace that $1000 injection pump first thing after I start BOMBing.



Later, Josh.

 

[Agades]

Diesel - GOOD



gas - BADOo.

 

[Travisb]

Still waiting for the answer on the damage. But I did get some good news. It will be covered under my insurance. My comprehensive covers "stupidity", her words (the insurance adjuster)not mine. I thought it could be a "natural causes" or "act of nature", as the perpetrator is blond afterall. I am really heading for trouble now. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Travisb]

Truck seems to run just fine after draining the tank, flushing the lines and changing the fuel filter. Insurance paid and will also cover future failure of pump/s if that occurs "prematurely. " Thanks again for all the advice I have recieved. Travis