While in Seattle WA I filled up my 04 CTD with diesel fuel. We were on our way to Canada. I made it about 13 miles and the engine started to cutout and tried to die. I drained a little fuel out of the fuel filter and the truck ran smoother. I called DC and they said it would take over an hour to get a tow truck to me. (We were trying to make our ferry reservations.) I called Lithia Dodge (Good Guys). They weren’t to far away and gave and me directions to the shop.
When they drained some fuel it looked like cloudy lemonade. They drained and pulled the tank, blew it and all the lines out and changed the filter. The truck still ran rough and needed a fuel control actuator that they did not have in stock.
Long Story longer, we had to rent a Trailblazer (The biggest vehicle we could rent.) and pile 3 adults and 2 Chesapeake Retrievers inside, and made it to Canada.

Now the important question: The truck made it back to Kansas with no problems but what other components could have had their life shortened (injectors, Pumps etc.) by running this watered down fuel? Do you think if any other fuel related parts go out will the warranty cover them? I am in the middle of trying to resolve this claim with the oil company.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

Water can damage the injectors but it sounds like you made out ok.
What does more damage is when the percentage of water or gasoline is low enough that the engine continues to run ok.
If you have the receipt from the station with the bad fuel they will usually pay for repairs, maybe even the rental car.

 

It has been a big fight because the dealer refused to take any responsibility. The oil company has agreed to pay for:

Vehicle Repair 432.99
Rental Vehicle 346.65
Ferry Reservation Charges 35.00
Lodging 1 Night 104.13
Refuel 86.35

Total 1005.12

I just don’t want anything else to go wrong because of the water and DC say they won’t warranty it.
Thanks

 

possibly the injector pump, but if you don't have any problems i would'nt worry about it

 

You mean the diesel fuel dealer refused to help? If it hurt the injectors or pump you would most likely have found out about it already.

 

Yeah WildBill the station refused to admit any wrongdoing. They simply told the oil company that they refused my claim.

 

if water was all drain out should not be anymore problems but you should run some fuel conditionner true your truck it will help lubricate what water dryed out other than that you should be fine

if it was me and if you still got some of that fuel id have it tested by oil company im sure they are going to do that test for free to make sure dealer is not cuttin fuel with water it has been known to happen that way oil company could send that bill to dealer

 

Thanks for the additive suggestion. I have some Stanadyne in the truck and I will put some in tomorrow. As I understand it a full spectrographic analysis cost around $500 these days. Even the State and let alone the Company don’t like to run outside independent analysis anymore than they have to.

 

Where was this station in washington, I would like to avoid it if I can. Thanks

 

The station is in SeaTac by the airport. If the Check does not come through soon I will give all the particulars.