How much will it cost to fix this

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So someone poured a water bottle full of bleach, and an entire half gallon of sugar water into my gas tank. Not knowing this, I drove home until my car died. Its now in the shop and the mechanic is very busy this week and may not be able to flush the gas tank soon. How much in total would this cost? Will the gas tank rust through if he doesnt flush it soon?

Bfine01 in Chapel Hill NC

Dec 5, 2013

6 Replies

Popular Answer

pushrodon Dec 5, 2013

My question is how do you know 'exactly' what was put into your gas tank?? You stated "a water bottle full bottle of bleach, and an entire half gallon of sugar water ". Just wondering how you know that, did they fess up to it? Just trying to make sure exactly what happened as these vehicles have a lot of inherent fuel pump failures anyway! So are you SURE this is what actually happened? Injectors should have been flushed with a 'pressurised cleaning kit' first thing! Then the pump, tank and deliver circuits would be next in line. Fixed a few of these myself over the years!

Bfine01on Dec 5, 2013

Yes it turned out to be a friend pulling a horrible prank on me

pushrodon Dec 5, 2013

NEWS FLASH: That is not a friend!!

ziptie12on Dec 10, 2013

They just forgot their 'meds' for a few days.

pushrodon Dec 10, 2013

ADHD and nothing else to do? That's cold!

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ProfessorGon Dec 5, 2013

Find another shop.

winrservicesautoon Dec 5, 2013

The correct answer is a disappointing one. You not only need to have gas tank cleaned but also:fuel lines,fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injectors,catalytic converter,possible o2 sensors,internal engine damage possible,etc. Basically any and everything that your fuel system touches will need attention whether it be right away or in the near future. Broad picture:fuel flows from tank to injectors down into engine onto valves,etc and burn off goes through catalytic converter. As for cost, it really depends on just how much you want to fix right at the moment Ex:just empty tank and change fuel filter and hope for the best. Hope this all works out for your best interest.

Bfine01on Dec 5, 2013

So the longer he waits the worse it gets? What would a ballpark price estimate be if I were to fix everything? Including paying for labor of course

winrservicesautoon Dec 5, 2013

Oh yes...I forgot to answer that part....the longer you wait the worse off potentially. As to price of "everything"...that would include an engine as well. keep in mind ALL possibilities would be like bearly replacing the vehicle. However, an ESTIMATE would be around $5k....just saying. Youre talking about "everything":engine(major),fuel lines,fuel pump,filter,injectors(if not supplied with engine,intake(in not supplied with engine,etc). But starting with fuel pump, drain tank, fuel filter ESTIMATE about $650 ROUGH ESTIMATE. Keep in mind this is JUST a starting point though honestly.

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bmdoubleon Dec 5, 2013

I actually had an o3 explorer and a 94 ranger that had sugar poured in the tank of my customer's vehicles. the explorer tank had to be sent off to a radiator shop so the tank could be flushed and I had to flush the lines and ended up replacing all the injectors,fuel pump and cleaned the fuel rails. The ranger just needed the tank cleaned and a fuel pump. The longer you wait I know for a fact that the sugar turns to syrup like goop and gets into EVERY orifice and ruins any moving part it comes in contact with.

globalhelperon Dec 5, 2013

#2 is so right don't wait. wow a friend did this, give him the bill for xmas

antonio leveretton Dec 5, 2013

well if you didn't try and crank it it should be under 500 round 300 to just drop gas tank and clean out but if you tried to crank it you lookin at a complete engine haul

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