Re: Diesel fuel contamination


<rcastaneda@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6f9f418f-06fe-4f87-9d91-c5d5a7ddac7a@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Toyota service dealer tells me my new car warranty does not
cover
engine damage from diesel fuel contamination to my 2007 Corolla
(not
done by me but doesn't matter). They say it will cost me about
$4,000
to replace the entire fuel system, components, etc. They referred me
to my auto insurance who I don't believe will cover this either.
Anyone out there with a similiar experience or can tell me what my
options are? Perhaps negotiate a price or take it elsewhere to
another
shop who can repair it for less?

How did they fill the car with diesel fuel? Most stations use the
large filler nozzle on the diesel pumps, but I have found a few that
did not. If you can find the station that had the unleaded fuel nozzle
on a diesel pump, I'd go after them.

As for needing all that work - I don't think so. Diesel fuel is not
corrosive and it is less of a solvent than gasoline. The car might not
run on diesel fuel, but I feel certain the disel fuel did not destroy
all the components you mentioned. Before I paid thousands of dollars
to a dealer, I'd ask an independent garage to empty the tank, repalce
any fuel filters, purge the fuel lines, and see if the car will run.
I'm betting it will run just fine. I doubt that it ran long enough on
the diesel fuel to damage the catalytic converter.

And if it was an older car out of warranty (and it was mine), I would
just remove the tank, empty it, put in a few gallons of gas, and try
starting the car repeatedly until it started running. I am betting it
would run after a few tries.

BTW, I would not totally dismiss the insurance angle. At least talk to
your agent. Do you have comprehensive insurance? Here is what my
company says about comprehensive coverage:

"Comprehensive Coverage

"Comprehensive refers to broad coverages or an extensive amount of
insurance coverage under one insurance contract. In auto insurance, it
may cover physical damage losses to your insured vehicle other than
those caused by collision or upset.

"Comprehensive coverage usually includes, but is not limited to losses
to your vehicle caused by contact with a bird or animal, falling or
flying objects, theft, larceny, fire, windstorm, hail, water, flood,
malicious mischief, vandalism, riot or civil commotion, breakage of
glass, explosion or earthquake."

Since someone else filled the tank, I would consider fillling the tank
with diesel to be malicious mischief. The insurance company may
disagree (see http://www.carinsurance.com/kb/content24541.aspx.

I'd also suggest reading:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=592587

Ed


.

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