Dealership discovered lots of oil and gunk in the gasoline in my G70. WHAAT?

[jetrep]

It's tough to troubleshoot things without knowing precisely what was in the tank. Was it diesel or oil (or something else)? What is the gunk that was mentioned?

These engines are direct injected so they have a high pressure fuel pump. They're often (always) engine driven. Seems like there could be a highly unlikely but maybe possible scenario where engine oil could get in through that pump somehow. Is the engine oil level low at all?

It seems that by far the most likely scenario is that the fuel you pumped into the car at some point was contaminated. Hopefully the insurance company doesn't make this too painful and hopefully the dealer does a good job with the repair. It sure seems like you'd want the entire fuel system replaced to be sure the problem is gone.

 

[Purple Ray]

Has anyone identified the "oil"? Fuel oil? Motor oil? Two cycle engine oil? The identification of the infecting liquid would be the key item.

Hi Tarhoosier -- Do you (or does anyone) know where I could get the sample tested? So far I'm striking out.

 

[Purple Ray]

Let's stop and think for a second; what proof do we have that oil was actually in the gas tank besides what the dealership told him?

OP, do you have proof? Pictures you can post? What?

Here's what I have:

-- I contacted my insurance company when the dealership told me about the oil in the gas and how extensive the damage was, and they sent a "special" investigator/inspector to the dealership to inspect the car and approve the repairs. He approved all of them, including the catalytic converter. He called me later to tell me how the appointment went and at that time he asked me if I had perhaps put diesel in my car, and of course I said no. (We both agreed it was strange for the symptoms to show up at the half-tank point.)

-- I asked the service tech to save me a sample for lab testing, and he did that. When I pick up the car I'll pick up the sample, and hopefully have a place I can take it for testing.

-- Also, from what I've read about the symptoms of "oil in the gas" -- my car had them. It acted like it was *getting gas, not getting gas, getting gas*... which accounted for the hesitations and ultimately the jerky "lurching" I described.

BadTrainDriver -- do you have another theory (other than oil in the gas)? If so, I'm all ears....

 

[Purple Ray]

It's tough to troubleshoot things without knowing precisely what was in the tank. Was it diesel or oil (or something else)? What is the gunk that was mentioned?

These engines are direct injected so they have a high pressure fuel pump. They're often (always) engine driven. Seems like there could be a highly unlikely but maybe possible scenario where engine oil could get in through that pump somehow. Is the engine oil level low at all?

It seems that by far the most likely scenario is that the fuel you pumped into the car at some point was contaminated. Hopefully the insurance company doesn't make this too painful and hopefully the dealer does a good job with the repair. It sure seems like you'd want the entire fuel system replaced to be sure the problem is gone.

Yes, this *is* tough to troubleshoot. If I can get a lab to test it I'll know more. I don't know what the "gunk" was. (Does gasoline cause oil to gunk up?)

I'll ask if the engine oil level was low. Thanks.

The state inspector was not agreeing it was possibly the gas I pumped, since the sample he took 2 weeks later tested at zero for contaminants, and he said it would have taken quite a few deliveries to bring the contamination level to zero. Plus, they had no other calls about that pump or that station, he said.

I will ask if the entire fuel system has been replaced. I'd feel better if the answer is yes, but I don't know if that's reasonable to expect. (I'll locate the estimate and post it here.)

 

[Purple Ray]

Yes, this *is* tough to troubleshoot. If I can get a lab to test it I'll know more. I don't know what the "gunk" was. (Does gasoline cause oil to gunk up?)

I'll ask if the engine oil level was low. Thanks.

The state inspector was not agreeing it was possibly the gas I pumped, since the sample he took 2 weeks later tested at zero for contaminants, and he said it would have taken quite a few deliveries to bring the contamination level to zero. Plus, they had no other calls about that pump or that station, he said.

I will ask if the entire fuel system has been replaced. I'd feel better if the answer is yes, but I don't know if that's reasonable to expect. (I'll locate the estimate and post it here.)

are you the only 1 who drives it? Was it in at a shop for maintenance ?

Sorry -- thought I answered this. I drive it -- just me..... and it wasn't at a shop for maintenance (or any other reason) in recent months.

 

[EdP]

Here's what I have:

-- I contacted my insurance company when the dealership told me about the oil in the gas and how extensive the damage was, and they sent a "special" investigator/inspector to the dealership to inspect the car and approve the repairs. He approved all of them, including the catalytic converter. He called me later to tell me how the appointment went and at that time he asked me if I had perhaps put diesel in my car, and of course I said no.

The nozzle on the diesel pump is a larger diameter and should not fit in the filler opening. You'd really have to make some effort to do that.

That said, it still sounds strange. Glad the insurance company is helping.

 

[redneck]

look in to labs that test engine oil they might be able to do the gas for you