JimR
Elite Member
You might want to file a compliant with the Better Business Bureau against the dealer for unnecessary repair work.
HELP with Diesel in Gas Engine Debate
- Thread starter FL_Cracker
- Start date
- Views: 2673
SPIKER
Elite Member
Not sure about the FLA GA area but there are gov agencies that can help you if you got hosed. you said you got he old parts back correct then you could take them to independant mechanic and get opinion and then to state for unnessecary repair bill also did you get a QUOTE prior to the repair? there should be NO damage to the plastic parts as gas is much more harmfull to all plastics than the diesel is... at this time of year there should be no additives in the fuel especially in you're area only in cold temps do they add anti-gel compounds and even those won't harm plastic from what I know. like others stated only possable harm would be to the emissions system and that should clear up very quickly (first heat up after draining the fuel) the residue will burn off the o2 sensors and cats just fine. if it ran a LOT in it then the cat could concieveable plug up as the fuel would cause it ti run rich from unburnt hydrocarbons at most... anyhow take a close look for info about consumer protection and consumer rights. then approach the dealer with printed out copies ot the laws in you're area.
also it maybe cause they BROKE the pump too as mentioned above and got you to pay for it??? anycase i'm with all others you got hosed..
MarkM /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
also it maybe cause they BROKE the pump too as mentioned above and got you to pay for it??? anycase i'm with all others you got hosed..
MarkM /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
BigEddy
Gold Member
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- Eastern Ontario
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- JD 855, 322, AMT626 plus whatever my son dragged home this month
The only other thing I would wonder about is your oil. When I last ran into a situation with diesel in the gas, a good portion of it leaked past the rings and into the oil sump, overflowing the sump and contaminating the oil. The car was actually running fine - it was a steadily increasing oil-pressure reading that first alerted us to the problem. (about 20% diesel in an older rabbit)
You might want to change the oil as well.
You might want to change the oil as well.
THS
Bronze Member
Cracker,
I haven't done any posting for a few years, but wanted to share some info with you.
I read your post Monday night and it intrigued me enough to ask a few questions while attending a Chrysler meeting yesterday and today. I was able to talk to a few of our training center's instructors, as well as a few CAG people (Customer Advocate Group).
Of the four people that I asked, none of them indicated that they would have immediately condemned the pump, senders, or lines as your dealer appeared to have done. The last guy I polled today, said at a minimum he would've advised to have the tank and lines drained out and possibly the spark plugs replaced (if they had indeed fouled out). This of course all being done at customer pay. He said he would have basically taken a "wait-and-see" attitude after doing that to see if further repairs were needed. He said that he didn't have any real-life experience with this happening, so he was not totally sure.
Another note: I know your dealership said "they called Chrysler and their engineers also agree that the cleaning agents could ruin the plugs, eat the bearing in the fuel pump and destroy the fuel sending unit", but after working for a Chrysler dealership for 14+ years, I've only spoken directly with an engineer ONE TIME. And that was only because he was attending a meeting similar to the one I was at yesterday and today, and that I had a vehicle in our shop that was displaying a condition that they were investigating. So he came to our shop to inspect it the next day. What service!!!
As far as the pricing of the repairs, the Pacifica uses a "saddle type tank", which basically means it has a right side and left side tank. That could account for the high parts pricing since it is NOT a typical setup like it would be in a minivan or a car. The 2005 manual states "This vehicle uses a saddle type tank, a reservoir on both sides of the rear drive shaft. The fuel pump is in the module on the driver side of the vehicle and the fuel pressure regulator is in the module on the passenger side of vehicle. The fuel outlet is on the passenger side and supplies fuel to the engine. The fitting on the fuel pump module (Driver side) is a vapor line fitting that connects to the passenger side module. Both modules have fuel level sending cards. There are 2 hoses that connect the modules together, one is the fuel supply line the other is a return or siphon hose. The lines are removed from the fuel pump module when servicing either unit. The ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery) control valve is in the passenger side module."
Now comes my personal opinion: I don't want to sound like I'm bashing your dealer for "over selling" your repairs, but I highly doubt that diesel fuel could've damaged a pump if it was only operated for a short duration like you stated. Same goes for the sending unit. They are virtually all designed/manufactured the same way, gas OR diesel. I think if it had come into my shop, I would've recommended draining the tank and lines and refilling with fresh gasoline. Then, I would have run the vehicle and monitored the sensor readings to see if any fault codes appeared in the computer system. The OBDII systems that are in all the newer cars are very touchy, and the slightest misfire can set off all kinds of codes. If it ran fine, I would have released the car to you, but with a HUGE DISCLAIMER written in the repair order, stating that further repairs to the fuel system may need to be performed if further driveability issues arise as a result of the diesel incident.
My ultimate goal would be to get you on the road AND to retain you as a customer. I think it sounds like your dealership achieved only half of that goal...... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I haven't done any posting for a few years, but wanted to share some info with you.
I read your post Monday night and it intrigued me enough to ask a few questions while attending a Chrysler meeting yesterday and today. I was able to talk to a few of our training center's instructors, as well as a few CAG people (Customer Advocate Group).
Of the four people that I asked, none of them indicated that they would have immediately condemned the pump, senders, or lines as your dealer appeared to have done. The last guy I polled today, said at a minimum he would've advised to have the tank and lines drained out and possibly the spark plugs replaced (if they had indeed fouled out). This of course all being done at customer pay. He said he would have basically taken a "wait-and-see" attitude after doing that to see if further repairs were needed. He said that he didn't have any real-life experience with this happening, so he was not totally sure.
Another note: I know your dealership said "they called Chrysler and their engineers also agree that the cleaning agents could ruin the plugs, eat the bearing in the fuel pump and destroy the fuel sending unit", but after working for a Chrysler dealership for 14+ years, I've only spoken directly with an engineer ONE TIME. And that was only because he was attending a meeting similar to the one I was at yesterday and today, and that I had a vehicle in our shop that was displaying a condition that they were investigating. So he came to our shop to inspect it the next day. What service!!!
As far as the pricing of the repairs, the Pacifica uses a "saddle type tank", which basically means it has a right side and left side tank. That could account for the high parts pricing since it is NOT a typical setup like it would be in a minivan or a car. The 2005 manual states "This vehicle uses a saddle type tank, a reservoir on both sides of the rear drive shaft. The fuel pump is in the module on the driver side of the vehicle and the fuel pressure regulator is in the module on the passenger side of vehicle. The fuel outlet is on the passenger side and supplies fuel to the engine. The fitting on the fuel pump module (Driver side) is a vapor line fitting that connects to the passenger side module. Both modules have fuel level sending cards. There are 2 hoses that connect the modules together, one is the fuel supply line the other is a return or siphon hose. The lines are removed from the fuel pump module when servicing either unit. The ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery) control valve is in the passenger side module."
Now comes my personal opinion: I don't want to sound like I'm bashing your dealer for "over selling" your repairs, but I highly doubt that diesel fuel could've damaged a pump if it was only operated for a short duration like you stated. Same goes for the sending unit. They are virtually all designed/manufactured the same way, gas OR diesel. I think if it had come into my shop, I would've recommended draining the tank and lines and refilling with fresh gasoline. Then, I would have run the vehicle and monitored the sensor readings to see if any fault codes appeared in the computer system. The OBDII systems that are in all the newer cars are very touchy, and the slightest misfire can set off all kinds of codes. If it ran fine, I would have released the car to you, but with a HUGE DISCLAIMER written in the repair order, stating that further repairs to the fuel system may need to be performed if further driveability issues arise as a result of the diesel incident.
My ultimate goal would be to get you on the road AND to retain you as a customer. I think it sounds like your dealership achieved only half of that goal...... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
greatrandini
Gold Member
Yes, but ur up there in Wisconsin where folks are nice! Heck ur first cousins to those wonderful Canandians!!!!! I bet after u fixed his car ud of bought him a beer and took him home for dinner too....I know how u r......
THS
Bronze Member
I looked back, I guess it's been like 5 years since my last post! It was just luck that I saw this posting on Monday night. I might add a few more if I feel I can make a contribution that can save somebody money, or if I think they were told incorrect information.
