Warning to Diesel Fuel Tow Vehicle Owners

[TucsonJim]

Please learn from my mistake. Yesterday, I accidently put 2-3 cups of Diesel Exhaust Fluid into the diesel tank instead of the DEF tank. Bottom line result. The truck is at the dealer now and the damage appears to be somewhere between $12K to $14K. I filed a claim with my automobile insurance policy, but I'm not certain they'll cover it.

Jim

[Dave and Monica]

Man, I'm real sorry to hear that! Hopefully the dealership or insurance will pick up some of the cost.

Dave

[RetiredVagabond]

Thanks for the reminder, sorry to hear of your experience.

[huntr70]

Another reason to own a pre-emissions truck!! (or delete the emissions afterwards!)

[dloase]

Ouch to say the least.

[Tumbleweeds]

Hey Jim, you aren't the first and probably won't be the last to make a mistake like that. Sorry it's going to cost so much.

[WhittleBurner]

What a bummer, that is one big OUCH. Hope you get it covered.

Marcy

[Shamu]

Please learn from my mistake. Yesterday, I accidently put 2-3 cups of Diesel Exhaust Fluid into the diesel tank instead of the DEF tank. Bottom line result. The truck is at the dealer now and the damage appears to be somewhere between $12K to $14K. I filed a claim with my automobile insurance policy, but I'm not certain they'll cover it.

Jim

What all is being replaced for $12K!!!!!
If you trashed all injectors (which I find hard to believe) and replaced w/ hi perf at 500@ = $4k
New CP4 Injector pump for under $2k
Drop tank and flush
12 hrs labor @ 150 per = $1800
I don't like the math. I would really question what they are doing.
I am not a Ford guy, but I am sure you are not the first person to do this.
I would go to the Powerstroke Forum and ask questions. http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/for...7-2011-forums/

[jaw3336]

That does seem extremely expensive. Can't imagine why it would be that high.

[luckeyd1]

Most issues of this nature require the high pressure fuel pump and all its associated plumbing to be replaced. Cause, no lubrication causes destruction of the high pressure fuel pump which contaminates the system from this point on. Many small metal flakes abound. Talked about at length on all forums where fuel contamination occurs, mostly from external fuel tanks that don't seal well enough to keep out water. But just what is DEF?, mostly water. If you start your motor and run it, makes no difference how long, many dollars to repair. If you did not start the motor and had it towed to shop, just drop tank, flush out entire fuel system/tank, reinstall. Know this does not help your situation, but for all of us that have vehicles that use DEF, it is something I always look at when filling. Also, mixing gasoline to diesel fuel is bad and causes the exact same results. This issue has become so bad, that one manufacturer, VW (I also own a TDI) issued a service notification to install a part that makes a gasoline nozzle not open a flap valve, so you can't put gasoline into the tank. Diesel nozzles are suppose to be bigger, but I refused this as some stations use same size for all pumps.. I have been putting diesel into vehicles since early 2000, so far my luck holds. Now, throw some salt over my shoulder, knock on wood, rub a rabbits foot, and make a wish so my luck holds.