I can't believe the mistake I made!! I fueled up and pulled into the touch free car wash located at the gas station. I then drove down the street to work. To my horror, when I got out of the car at work, I noticed the damn gas cap was off. I only drove a short distance so I doubt any water/wax/soap got into the fuel lines. What is required to fix this situation? The car is less than two weeks old and has 900+ miles. I called my salesman at the dealership and explained my situation. He plans on talking to the service manager and will get back to me. That was 30 minutes ago. Needless to say, I'm totally freaking out here!! On one hand, I want it taken care of correctly but I also don't want to be reamed by the dealer. Actually, perhaps it would be better if they did 'bend me over the table'. That will punish me for making such a stupid mistake.

 

IF it runs, it shouldn't hurt anything to just burn it out. I had an Integra GS-R once, and the gas station had diesel in their premium tank. The car wouldn't run much at all, and had to have the gas pumped out. It cost about $50 labor at the acura dealer, but a $250 haz waste disposal charge to get rid of the bad fuel. (This was in Cali. and the gas station paid)

edit: you did say you just filled up, so there can't be more than a few ounces in there anyway.

 

Actually, I only added $10 worth of fuel and it was damn near empty. There was about 1/2 a tank when it happened. I was wondering if the water could be burned away in the combustion chamber.

 

and how full does the tank indicate after the car wash? did it go way up? Also, how far did you drive fromt the car wash to work? You could always top it up with gas and burn it out if it didn't go up much, or even try to burn it out, and if it acts up, then have it drained. Or just drain it and have peace of mind.

 

Hey 2003z I like your wheels, they look great. But, the picture is really small. Please send me a large picture.

Thanks,
SilverChrome Touring
All Options, inc. Navi.

Ordered 1/02
Delivered 8/02
5,600 miles so far

Family:
2001 BMW 330 Cic Convert.
1999 Infiniti QX4 - soon to be traded for an X5

 

Just got off the phone with Southpoint Nissan, Austin TX. I feel much better. They had planned to replace the fuel sending unit anyway so they will take care of both issues at once. The service manager was super cool. He says they will simply drain the fuel and refill the tank. Any water that may have made it the lines will be burned away.

2003z, you had the right idea. I didn't notice the fuel gage so I have no idea how much water may have entered the tank. Anyway, it's not so bad after all. Just to be safe, the dealer is having it towed to their location since it's over 30 miles away.

 

Damn, those are nice wheels. What's the brand and model name? Are those 18's or 19's?

 

Hey Track Bite,
The wheels are made by Branzach and they are 20 x 8.5...the wheels are Kumho Ecstas and they run 255/35/20.
Thanks for the props.

SilverChrome Touring
All Options inc. Navi

 

Well, im glad you didn't pay. Like most cars, their is a drain plug in the gas tank. I know the GS-R and Z have one. All you have to do is get a 20mm socket(I believe) and unscrew it it will drain all of the gas just like if your doing an oil change. once complete, refill with good gas and your set.. 15-20 min Job... No need to pay someone to do this.

 

what did you mean when you said they were replacing the fuel sending unit??

 

When I took delivery of the car, they filled the tank but it only read 3/4 full. The service manager knew what the problem was without even looking at the car. Apparently they have seen this in other cars.

 

i guess ill share my story as to what happne to me 12 years ago
my dad borrowed my car 1985 12a rx-7 made a fill up and he left the gas cap at the gas station he or i ddint know anything until a couple days later that is it was raingin pretty hard storms in miami are no joke anyways the next day or 2 after i was driving home from work when all of the sudden the car stalled it felt like someone was trying to drive a stick for the first time you know that roclking jerks welll the car stalled a couple blocks down turned off i turned it back on this time with the choke biutton pulled out all the time made it home barely i then realized the gas cap was missing so i drained out the fule put some fresh one in car still stalled turns out i had to replace the fuel filter as well this was on a rx7 carburated model dont know how the fi models would behave with water hehe (all this time i thought my dad was genrous by filling the tank with full to the top for borrowing the car turned out to be water hahaa)

 

Breathe man, breathe.....