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alec2538
01-25-2017, 07:00 PM
Well... I can't believe this happened but it happened. Read on:

I stopped yesterday morning to get gas before a ~160 mile trip to hand off my sister's dog that I've been caring for. I was running quite low, and put 9-ish gallons of premium in at a local Super America.

About 3/4 of the way in to the trip, I noticed that there was a significant hiccup immediately off-idle when accelerating. It drove fine and had no issue other than this, so I continued on. The hesitation got slightly worse as I returned home, but cruising was still fine. A slight lack of power is all I could feel.

By the time I got home, there was SEVERE hesitation and backfiring through the intake on throttle tip in, but she would always catch herself and keep going. I limped it to a gas station near my house and filled up, hoping to dilute whatever garbage I was now positive I had put in earlier.

It was around this time that I noticed my exhaust had a DISTINCT smell of... ding ding ding! DIESEL! I was livid. My gut feeling was exactly right. I was positive that I had fueled at a pump that only sold gasoline, and I had zero running conditions prior to filling up at SA that morning.

This afternoon, I pulled a plug and confirmed my suspicion. It was pure black with soot. I reassembled and drove back to the SA station, as it happens to only be 10 blocks from my work. The manager immediately confirmed that their delivery driver had done a complete swap on the premium tank in the ground and filled it with diesel. They had just discovered the error during their daily audit, and she was incredibly flustered. The DM acually arrived while I was there, and it was easy to tell there was something seriously wrong.

The manager took down all my information and said I should hear from her at the latest tomorrow afternoon. I fully intend to write up an invoice at work (I'm a tech at a local independent shop) for new plugs, fuel filter, fuel line cleaning/flushing, tank draining, refilling plus restitution for the original fuel purchase and if I feel like being an ass (which I don't) compensation for unknown future damage to my car (oxygen sensors, cat's, etc).

On a lighter note, I've proven that a Marauder drives quite nice on diesel as long as it's warmed up!

Joe Walsh
01-25-2017, 07:05 PM
If they did that to my car....I'd send them a bill for a new set of head gaskets and an entire engine rebuild along with it!


BTW: Dom proved that you can drag race a Marauder on Kerosene.....:eek: .... at least for a few runs down the 1320.... :o

BAD MERC
01-25-2017, 07:45 PM
It won't hurt it but you'll need to recover most of it and do a fill up to dilute the rest.

RubberCtyRauder
01-25-2017, 09:59 PM
At least you got Premium Diesel :D hope it all clears up, with no issues

Catfish
01-26-2017, 05:42 AM
You could add injectors to your list too. Probably didn't damage them but anything the Diesel touched I'd consider replacing. Keep us updated.

vkirkend
01-26-2017, 06:27 AM
i had this happen when i had a Chevy Malibu. A Hess Station worker somehow swapped gas with a water line and i filled my nearly empty car with 100% H20. I got about a block from the station and the car stopped in the middle of the road. after having the car towed to the dealer they discovered that the tank was full of water. The station ended paying for the tank removal and flush, a new fuel pump, and injectors. I also had the oil changed.

Turbov6Bryan
01-26-2017, 09:07 AM
4 catalytic converters
Time
Compensation
Filter
Amount you spent plus 18 gallons from another station
Plugs
02s
Top engine flush
Oil change

All that at a minimum, they have insurance. That's what it's for, use it!

alec2538
01-26-2017, 04:59 PM
I got a call from the store manager today. She said the insurance company should be in contact within 24 hours. I'll keep everyone posted!

Turbov6Bryan
01-26-2017, 05:03 PM
Excellent

Will diesel burn up super hot in the cats once the cars running good?

alec2538
01-28-2017, 05:39 PM
Shocker, no word yet from the insurance company.

But on a lighter note, tonight I blew out a $300 snow tire on a pothole. A discontinued, unable to be matched, 8/32's remaining snow tire. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

massacre
01-29-2017, 04:24 PM
Bummer dude
Hope everything works out

Treadslightly
01-31-2017, 06:55 PM
I can't imagine how angry that would make me. Glad nothing serious came of it.

alec2538
02-03-2017, 05:58 PM
Well, it all worked out in the end. I spoke with the claims woman on Tuesday afternoon, she took all the info she needed and told me to send her an estimate.

I had my service writer draw up an estimate for plugs, fuel injectors, fuel filter, and draining the tank/flushing the system. Came to $1,970. The adjuster didn't like the sound of that number, which is fair (it might have been a bit high, but she wanted a number). I told her to give me an offer than sounded good to both of us. Keep in mind, I'm going to be doing the work myself and get parts at cost.

I heard from her almost immediately this morning. They're sending me a check for S1,400 within a week. The car has been running fine, I've gone through almost 2 full tanks since then and will end up spending about $30 for a set of Motorcraft double-platinums and a fuel filter. I'll call that a win.

justbob
02-03-2017, 08:33 PM
In the old days (think carburetors[emoji6]) we would add a gallon or so of diesel to a full tank of 93 to lube up the carb and give the valves a bit of a solvent bath. Probably didn't really do anything but it most certainly didn't hurt either.

You probably walked away with cleaner injectors is all if she is still purring after two tanks of 93.


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alec2538
02-03-2017, 10:46 PM
She's definitely fine. I need to get the Autolite plugs out of there anyways, I've just been lazy and waiting for an excuse. Now I have one.

Marauderjack
02-04-2017, 03:35 AM
In the old days (think carburetors[emoji6]) we would add a gallon or so of diesel to a full tank of 93 to lube up the carb and give the valves a bit of a solvent bath. Probably didn't really do anything but it most certainly didn't hurt either.

You probably walked away with cleaner injectors is all if she is still purring after two tanks of 93.


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I still use about half ounce per gallon evey 10-15K miles.......works as good as Chevron Techron for cleaning upper cylinders and injectors!!:beer:

Just did it to my 2008 RAM HEMI (70K miles) and not only cured a flat spot in the accelerator but I also picked up a little over 1 MPG!!:bows: