Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gasoline in the motor - dealer sabatoge??

[ErniePink]

OFFERED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: This problem may come from "unclean" distributor refueling practices when delivering to local retailers which is where we buy our fuel. Large truck stops are probably our best bets but convenience always seems to win out when we fuel and some of us have little choice. I know this is not a "good news" item but only a possibility of how fuel can be contaminated. That being said, it's hard to believe contamination of Im4yoters fuel would show up after 300+ miles since last fueling.



Now then, does gas sink below diesel or float above it in our tanks? Or does it mix with diesel? I believe our fuel pickup is at the bottom of the tank so if gas floats above diesel, then it wouldn't get picked up and into the fuel system until diesel supply was sufficiently consumed. Not being a fluid engineer, I'm just speculating. Perhaps someone who has a few "engineerring qualifications" would chime in on this speculation. Cummins should also be able to tell us how much gas can be tolerated in our fuel. None? A little? Lots? Anyone been through this exercise? Inquiring minds want to know.



And finally, anyone reading this thread should make it a point to use a locking fuel cap and give the dealer only the ignition key when in for service. Spending $15 for a locking fuel cap on a $5k engine is some cheap insurance. And I know, Elvis has already left the building for this episode.

 

[fkovalski]

Originally posted by ERNIE PINK

make it a point to use a locking fuel cap and give the dealer only the ignition key when in for service.

Yep... and fuel up at a reputable stop prior to dealer appointments. That's what I do. And keep all recipts and a log to show a pattern of consistancy in case the dealer makes an issue.

 

[WM-300]

Are the Fuel Caps on our trucks vented or closed ? I am going to get a lock fuel cap this weekend. Does anyone have a Part number ?



WM-300

 

[Thomas]

"Does anyone have a Part number ?"



Mopar P/N 5278655AA

 

[dseabaugh]

If you lose the key to your truck the dodge garage can whip you up a new one. What about their gas cap? I wouldn't trust the $ealer any further than I could kick them anymore. Wife has made it clear to me that we will never buy another new vehicle even though we have both seen some we like. If I have to fix it myself to keep from getting screwed or to fix their screw ups, then we will just buy used rides that we like and I'll keep fixing. I hate working on them any more but what can you do? I'd find a Stant brand or another brand of cap to make sure the one that was intending to shaft me couldn't get into it.

 

[Thomas]

"I'd find a Stant brand or another brand of cap . . . "



Here is a picture of the Mopar cap (P/N 5278655AA). It sure looks like a Stant product.

 

[tbrudder]

Originally posted by ERNIE PINK

Now then, does gas sink below diesel or float above it in our tanks? Or does it mix with diesel?

As I recall (petroleum engineering's not my field), diesel is more dense than gasoline (~7. 1lb/gal, opposed to ~6lb/gal gas) so the diesel would be on the bottom, but they mix pretty well.



I imagine any petroleum products put in a tank would mix together, though.



--Ty

 

[RKohn]

Have those genuises do their test at the filler neck. If they poured gas in there, then they can buy you a new truck when yours goes up in flames.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Definitely have your fuel checked.



I don't remeber the name but two members (at least) complained about a Dodge dealer that was not up to par in California.

The threads are to far back to search.



I will have to disagree with the tech about diesel not burning when a match is taken to it.

Diesel is supposed to be about the same as kerosene and heating oil. Low burning point. That is why they use this fuel in a diesel engine it doesn't take a real high temp to get it going.

Gasoline will start with match but it also takes a spark to ignite it when in a engine.



I mite have to do to a little checking out on this. I mite even try the match thing and see if it will burn (diesel).

 

[PRout]

It sure works good for starting campfires.

 

[Im4yoters]

UPDATE:



Diesel guy said there is NO GASOLINE in the fuel filter housing. I want to make sure I don't have to do something specific to prove that before I can fix it, but need it back ASAP. Can't borrow cars forever. What do you guys suggest?



I emailed the California Bureau of Automotive Repair with no response and emailed Chrysler through Dodge.com. They said that they are upset to hear, but unable to do anything as the dealerships are independantly owned and operated.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

If there's no gasoline in the fuel filter housing then no gasoline went through your injection pump. I'd ask them why they won't fix it? Ask them to explain to you how gasoline ruined your injection pump if none got there. If they insist that it did ask them how it got there without going through the fuel filter? Did you pull a sample from the filter housing and have it tested or did you just ask them to do it? The point of having you get the sample and get it tested was so that you had 3rd party verification for a potential legal remedy (at least in my mind). Get it in writing from them why they are denying your warranty. If you haven't gotten a sample and had it tested elsewhere I'd do that now. Have someone else there and have them videotape you pulling the sample and putting it in a sealed envelope, etc. That way you can prove that the sample you drew was the sample you had tested.

 

[Im4yoters]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

If there's no gasoline in the fuel filter housing then no gasoline went through your injection pump. I'd ask them why they won't fix it? Ask them to explain to you how gasoline ruined your injection pump if none got there. If they insist that it did ask them how it got there without going through the fuel filter? Did you pull a sample from the filter housing and have it tested or did you just ask them to do it? The point of having you get the sample and get it tested was so that you had 3rd party verification for a potential legal remedy (at least in my mind). Get it in writing from them why they are denying your warranty. If you haven't gotten a sample and had it tested elsewhere I'd do that now. Have someone else there and have them videotape you pulling the sample and putting it in a sealed envelope, etc. That way you can prove that the sample you drew was the sample you had tested.

This was done by the local diesel mech I know, not the dealership. I WILL NOT let those fawkers near my truck again

 

[dseabaugh]

You still need the test of the fuel so that you can get reimbursement from Chrysler. All your documentation is what it takes along with your repair bills . Keep the originals. send them copies by certified mail so they have to sign for it. I believe the address to send bills for reimbursement is in the back of your book. There have been other posts here where others have done that. 20,000 members and 70,000 guests would also like to know who this scum sucking dealer is!

 

[PRout]

Sure as "S" wont EVER have my truck worked on in Thousand Oaks.



It doesnt sound like they have much regard for customers. This whole story stunk from the beginning, and no-one should have to go through this. This is painful to read. . Sorry to hear of your problems with this dealer.



Kind of sounds like youre going to have to get your truck fixed by someone else, and then work on a case for re-imbursement at a minimum. If an independant can verify & document that the gas claim is bogus, they may end up having to pay for most of your costs.



Reputation alone will be costly for these pukes.

 

[dseabaugh]

Sounds to me like West Oaks Dodge in Thousand Oaks California should be avoided like some time of plague. I assume they treat everyone this way. What goes around comes around. A boomerang effect you know. Obviously not trying to show off their high caracter and top quality service. Do their mechanics get a commission on the parts they sell?

 

[Im4yoters]

I don't really know how they usually work. That was my first time ever going there



As for the reimbursement, Chrysler Corporate said I have to take it to another dealership, so it's sitting at Crown Dodge in Ventura and they should look at it on Monday. Hopefully they are out to give the competing dealership a bad name and fix it under warranty. Then I can go after West Oaks for 3 tow bills, a mechanics bill, and the $76 deductable for warranty checks.





What a PITA!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

They were probably hoping you would just pay and then they were going to charge Chrysler too. A dealer near me lost his dealership (nissan) back 15 or 20 years ago because at the time you bought warranties, what he was doing was only passing the warranty money on for 1 out of every 3 vehicles, and if you went in for work he would charge the warranty work on to a vehicle that had a warranty. They got caught because Nissan started sending out questionaires about how satisfied you were with your warranty work, well someone sent one back in and said, "I've never been in for warranty work", Hhhhmmm, it says here you've been in 4 times... .

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Ive gotten a few questionable answers from dealers. I have pretty good connections in the auto repair field around here. So I can get to the people on top to rectify the problem. Usually a call from an intelligent ase master mechanic to explain why their claim is bogus gets them to rethink their approach.



The fuel in the jar was a red herring. I think I would try to figure out how to sue them. Show them that scamming the customer will have a backlash. What a sham.



My dealer has tried to deny work. I will usually reason with them so they may understand its covered. They dont try anything anymore. They know my face and also know Im a member here and that Im well informed. A few of the guys down there are pretty cool.

 

[Im4yoters]

I called Chrysler Corporate last week, and they said the only way they can help is if I take it to a different dealership, and they find no gas. So I got together a trailer and another tow rig (cuz I already used 2 of my 3 AAA free tows and payed ~$200 in excess towing milage) and towed it from the diesel place to Crown Dodge. Dropped it off Saturday when they were closed, they called me Monday, said the only problem was the VP44 and the batteries (first dealership killed the batteries - 100% wasted). They had already ordered the new VP44 and said it would cost me nothing. Tuesday, they called again, said the new VP44 is in the truck, had to jump start it, but runs just fine. Asked if I wanted them to replace the batteries, and I did. So I picked it up after work, and it runs like a champ. Clutch was aweful stiff for some reason, but besides that, it was great. They even washed it



So now I just gotta get all my receipts together and call the other dealership. Figure they owe me towing expenses and the batteries at the very least. Luckily, they didn't put any gas in the tank to try and cover their story.