| Vegas |
My MO would not start yesterday, had to have it flatbedded to the dealer. The battery was not dead, it just wouldn't start.
When the dealer called me to let me know the car was fixed, I asked what was wrong.
They told me that I must have got "contaminated fuel". So they had to replace the fuel pump. I also told them about the problem of my MO not taking gas. They said that situation was now resolved, as it was a fuel pump problem.
I was confused by the "contaminated fuel", so when I went to pick up the car, they explained that in the height of the gas price hike, some companies were mixing fuels with components such as kerosene. He said he has seen a lot of that lately.
Because of this, it ruined my pump and some other components (which I see on the invoice, but I have no clue
:confused: ) They said they pulled strings to get it covered under warranty, since I have a high end MO.
FYI: I had to get gas after I picked up the car. Low and behold, it is STILL not taking gas! The poor guy had to hold the pump the whole time.
Could contaminated gas have caused all my problems? |
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| Grim |
Not sure it applies. But, I've always been told by my brother who's a mechanic to never let my fuel levels to get below a 1/4 tank. If so, the fuel pump can be damaged by the contaminants that have settled at the bottom of the fuel tank.
Not 100% on this theory. But, it sorta makes sense. |
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| njjoe |
Vegas-
The guy is feeding you a line of bull. :bsflag: Especially when he claims he has seen a lot of that lately. Just take a look at the price of Kerosene. It costs more than regular-grade gasoline. There is no financial incentive to mix, plus it is illegal.
Now to answer you question - Do I believe contaminated gas could cause your engine to not start? Yes. However, do I believe your problem was due to contaminated gas? Hell no. It looks like you had a faulty fuel pump. That in itself would cause your MO to not start.
-njjoe |
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| Gonzo |
| Its BS... a high end MO so I'll give you break... give me a break. It does sound like a fuel pump failed (it happens) in which would prevent the car from starting. |
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| Vegas |
Thanks for the responses :) My husband said it's bull, too. I have some other stuff on the invoice. Can anyone decipher?
Idle air volume learning procedure
Pump Compl
Packing - fu
Repl electric fuel pump
Is this all fuel pump stuff, or is it other stuff, too? I could have sworn he said the fuel tank needed to be replaced, too.
This particular dealer is very good to us, as we purchased 2 vehicles there.I was concerned as to where I was getting gas, since I am going to the cheapest one on the highway.
Also my tank was at a little over 1/4, and it said I had 108 miles to go on my display when this happened. When I got the car back today, it said 84 miles to go, yet on my invoice it says"Milege In/Out - only 1 mile??? |
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| Grim |
Vegas,
To change the fuel pump, they more than likely pulled the fuel tank and hose assemblies. By doing this, some fuel was probably "removed". That's probably why your "to go to empty" value decreased.
Just a theory. |
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| njjoe |
Vegas-
Let's decipher:
Idle air volume learning procedure - This is nothing more than a simple, part-free procedure that resets the MO's computer. Kind of like rebooting your PC.
Pump Compl - This looks to be the complete replacement pump assembly.
Packing - fu - The installation parts (i.e. o-rings, clips, etc.)
Repl electric fuel pump - Labor for replacing the pump.
These are all items that are directly related to a fuel pump replacement. Nothing here makes me believe they replaced the tank.
Believe it or not, but the dealer accesses the fuel pumps from inside your car. The access panels are beneath the rear seat cushion. The gas tank does not need to be removed to replace the fuel pump.
The "Distance To Empty" display is dynamic. It is based on the most recent driving conditions. If your were traveling on the highway prior to the pump failing then you would have a high reading that was based on highway MPG. However, if the dealer gave it a 1 mile post-repair test drive in stop-and-go traffic the "Distance To Empty" would be based on the more current, but lower, city MPG.
I hope this helps.
-njjoe |
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| hfelknor |
IF the fuel WAS contaminated (Hey, it happens*) you really wouldn't want to have it back would you?
* Just a week ago, many, many, gallons of aviation gas was contaminated in New Jersey. High concentration of sulfur I believe......
Homer |
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| Vegas |
WOW- Joe you're really knowledgeable, thank you so much. Love tha shore!;) I LOVE that I found a place to get info on my baby. Happy to be on the road again!
BTW - I wasn't thinking about getting that gas back in my tank! It just didn't make sense and now it does -
dumb blonde moment
:D
Thanks!
I did hear about that contamination, and my SIL just told me that she saw on the news the particular station I was going to also had probs with contaminated gas a few months back. Who knows?!
:confused: |
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| Kris |
Vegas,
do not go to the "cheapest" gas station. Find a reputable one and always tank out there. You may pay a cent or two more but it pay off longterm. Always think "life cycle"....if it makes sense...;) |
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| Stoker |
quote:
Originally posted by Kris
Vegas,
do not go to the "cheapest" gas station. Find a reputable one and always tank out there. You may pay a cent or two more but it pay off longterm. Always think "life cycle"....if it makes sense...;)
I agree with Kris, if you always go to the cheapest station (independents) they just get the gas but not the cleaners or additives that you would normally see from large oil company station. These cleaners and octane booster, over the long term, will ensure that your engine does not have a build up of solids and keep your fuel injectors clean.
Where I am in Calgary, on a VW they charge $250/ injector( parts and labour). That is why VW recommends Shell gas, and that is all that my 3 VW's have had and I have over 600,000 KM on three VW's and no engine/fuel injector problems. |
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| Vegas |
Hi guys,
I understand about buying the cheapest gas. And I never go to those "scary" looking places!
But this company is fairly large here, and they have many locations. I thought because so many of them are "clustered" in this one particular stretch of highway, they were trying to be the cheapest so everyone goes there (they also don't look all new and shiny like the others).
I will now go to the shiny new Shell instead!:p |
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| Kris |
quote:
Originally posted by Vegas
Hi guys,
I will now go to the shiny new Shell instead!:p
I prefer Chevron and QT as they both have Techron as a detergant... |
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| Grim |
| I also am an avid QT user. |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by Vegas
But this company is fairly large here, and they have many locations. I thought because so many of them are "clustered" in this one particular stretch of highway, they were trying to be the cheapest so everyone goes there (they also don't look all new and shiny like the others).
Lukoil or WaWa?
-njjoe |
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| Vegas |
I'm sorry - I don't know what QT is :confused:
Joe - we don't have WaWa's up here in my section of north jersey, not that I know of.
I think the station I was going to is only regional. Not like an Exxon or Shell, that's everywhere, (in jersey I mean!).
Lukoil prices are always higher, and I try not go there.
Everyone here could probably debate gas/oil til the cows come home! |
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| Gonzo |
I follow everyone's claim as above but just to throw a wrench in the works... my dad will always get the cheapest gas no matter what the station. Thus far is 1989 Acura with 110K miles and multiport fuel injection still has plenty of pep, without any hesitation and has never had any fuel injector service performed.
He also changes oil every 6 months or 7,500 miles. The engine is not burning any oil between changes either.
Sometimes I wonder. :rolleyes: |
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| njjoe |
Gonzo-
For every person who babies their car there is someone like your Dad, and mine, who do bare bones maintenance and yet somehow their cars run forever without any problems. Go figure.
-njjoe |
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| Gonzo |
| I want to be like that but when ever I look at the MO I can't bring myself to do it.... 3000 miles oil changes and prem Mobil gas..... I'm guilty! :4: |
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| Vegas |
ummmmm - can't believe you guys are talking about oil changes now.
Because - uh, how can I put this without everyone flaming me:
Well - I thought I siezed the engine the other day, by ummmm, being overdue on my oil change.:(
See I thought there was a warning or alarm that was supposed to go off when routine maintenance issues came up, such as oil changes, and said to myself: "Self - cool - you will never forget to get an oil change again". I had a VW before and they go forever between oil changes.
Soooo - needless to say : lesson learned. I just don't know how the "maintenance alarm " works.
BTW - My husband punished me for this, as the dealer squealed on me :1: |
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| zebelkhan |
quote:
Originally posted by Vegas
I thought there was a warning or alarm that was supposed to go off when routine maintenance issues came up, such as oil changes
You can set maintenace (Oil and tire rotation) schedules on your display. It will warn you when it is time whenever you start the MO.
Sounds like you should be punishing your husband for not doing his husbandly thing (taking care of wife's car)........:2: |
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| Vegas |
Weeeellllll.....
See - I lied and said I went for my oil change. I was meaning to go , I really was
:D
He's not mad - he actually thinks it's funny now. ;)
Scared straight, I am!!!
So now:
I solemly swear to get oil changes every uh - 3,500 (?) miles. When my alarm goes off. Or when Nissan calls me.
Signed,
Vegas:p |
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| Gonzo |
| Vegas you are funny.... |
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