Pumped diesel into gasoline powered '07 V6 RAV4. Is it as bad as Toyota techs claim?

Question

My wife mistakenly filled 3/4 diesel, into a 1/4 gas, and drove 10 miles before stopping. The car has been to the Toyota service center 5 times, and each time returned saying the problem was fixed. However, there was always some problem.

They now say that the engine needs to be replaced, because the diesel burned out the rings in the cylinders, and leaked onto the small block. Cost: $10K

So, my questions are:
1. I know people to whom this has happened before, with different cars, and the result was never so drastic. A couple thousand $ only. Not 10K. So, is this possible? Can diesel do this?
2. The Toyota service center always returned the car to me stating, "the work is warranted for 1 year." Does this mean they guarantee the problem won't come back? Can this cover the cost?
3. Is it possible that they caused this problem by not performing due diligence up front? We only drove it 10 miles with diesel, but they drove over 100 miles to diagnose over the various servicings.

1. Clearly, the nozzle fit. Not sure how, but it did.

2. The various servicings after it was towed to Toyota have involved (in chronological order):
- Draining all the fuel out of the tank and cleaning it.
- Resetting the "check engine" light
- Replacing the Spark Plugs
- Resetting the "check engine" light again
- Cleaning out the fuel injection system

3. The reason they drove it so much, was that they couldn't figure out what was wrong. We'd come in with the engine light on, they'd perform one of the above mentioned fixes to it, and drive it 35 miles to see if it came back. It didn't and they'd give us the car. Another 30 miles later, it was back. Finally, they had to have a Toyota engineer come out to look at it, and he's the one with the diagnosis that the engine be replaced.

The root problem is (I'm told) that they're seeing low compression in pistons 2, 4, and 6. This appears to be due to the diesel burning out the rings, and badly damaging the aluminium engine.

After driving the initial 10 miles, my wife had it towed to Toyota right away. We did not drive it until they returned it to us the next day, saying everything was fine. As we were driving out, the check engine light came back on, and we asked them about it. They just reset it, and said it was probably just residual diesel, and not to worry. The light came back on about 15 miles later, and we called them about it right away. They said not to worry, and to drive it back to them the next day. Basically, we only drove it when they said it was not a big deal.

Correction to last edit:
After having it towed to Toyota, they did clear the fuel tank and put in some new gasoline. They called us, and, when we came to pick it up, the engine light came right back on. So, in response to WMC Jr's point, they did what you suggested. So, I guess the damage had already been done by that point? The 10 miles of driving resulted in the meltdown issue?

Answer 1

I hate to tell you this but yes. It is totally possible and highly likely that your vehicle needs an engine. Diesel Ignites off of heat. In a diesel engine this heat is caused by the high compression of diesel engines. The high compression compresses the air and fuel ratio so much that it heats it up to the point of spontaneous combustion. Gasoline engines can also do this when too much carbon is built up on the piston. This is called predetonation. This happens when the heat from the hot carbon on the piston and the increased pressure causes the air/fuel ratio to ignite. This use to happen a lot on older carburated cars when turned off. This dieseling action in gas motors causes burned pistons, cracked pistons, and melted pistons. Gas engines cannot handle the dieseling that happens inside the cylinder. Could they have caused this while driving your car? Yes. However test driving a car is often part of diagnostics. Unless........when a gas engine is predetonating or deiseling it makes a lot of noise. Sounds terrible. Problem is if it wasn't making a lot of noise that means the diesel fuel washed out the cylinder walls and made it down into the crankcase. Cost? 10k sounds high. Maybe 4 or 5 but 10. WOW. Here's what should of happened. After driving 10 miles with 3/4 diesel fuel and telling the service writer you just filled up, and now the car runs bad your fuel should have been tested. Testing fuel checks for water in fuel as well as volatility. They would then know they need to remove the fuel tank and drain all the fuel and change your oil and filter. Just from what you've explained, The dealer owes you an engine. Toyota needs to get a phone call from you and you need to speak to someone higher up to get this resolved. Don't take no for an answer. I believe Toyota cars and trucks are some of the best built out there. The technician missed this and the dealer needs to take care of you. Good Luck, your gonna need it.

Answer 2

if it was the other way around, pumped 3/4 gas into 1/4 diesel, i would say yes and it would more than likely cost you some injectors, fuel pump and possibly a motor(might be cheaper) but diesel into gas, no, not 10 K, sounds like someone sprayed a whole lot of starting fluid into it to get it running! did your wife have it towed after shutting engine off after driving it 10 miles or did someone over spray it to get it running again???if ya'll did, shame on you, 'cause the price may be thet high, if it was towed to the shop and still having problems, shame on them. a second opinion would be best at mitsubishi or honda. since they're all similar. and tell them what happened and what they need to know. if it was towed where she stopped the tank should have been drained completely and the entire fuel system flushed, all filters replaced and gas put back in, charged batteries back up, and started, would still smoke some but would go away after a short while, (much shorter than 100 miles).
as far as the diesel burning the rings out...NO WAY, excessive starting fluid will do that job just fine. diesel takes a very, very high compression ratio to ignite compared to gas engines, gas engines have spark for a reason, whereas diesel uses compression for ignition...hope this helps ya out.
i see after sending message that u have added more info. problem. #2,4,and 6 are showing low compression, via the computor or a manuel test??? 2,4,6, thats 1 head/bank, that head does need a closer look, do not think diesel would be the problem, my guess is still starting fluid.(when i started to answer this the 1st time there was only 4 answers, when i submitted there were 16 answers and more info on problem, and of course several more smarta-- remarks.good luck.

Answer 3

forget the dealer. call toyota directly and explain what you've said here it should have been fixed the first time. might have to involve lawyers in this one. diesel wont do this. most it will do is plug up the filters, fry the oxygen sensors, mess up the spark plugs, and varnish the valves. nothing a strong industrial grade valve and injector cleaner wont fix. and an oil change.

sounds like they didnt change the oil the first time it was there. what can happen since diesel has a hard time buring in a gas engine, is that it will wash doen the cylinder walls and make the rings collapse. not totally bad, but salvageable. what happens is that the diesel gets into the motor oil and thins it out. then it gets into the bearings and then the damage begins.

i've had cars like this. its pricey but no new motor needed. new plugs, gas filter, massive injector cleaning, pcv valve, all oxygen sensors, and did like 3 oil changes in a row to completely flush out the diesel out of the engine. car ran like a champ after i was done with it.

good luck, i hope they buy you a new car. dont blame toyota, blame the dealer.

Answer 4

This is a major problem.....
Diesel doesn't "ignite" by spark plug, but instead by pressure.....unfortunately, diesel also effects any seal within the motor and causes them to swell.
So, gaskets and stuff are prbably shot.
It is possible that these "other" cars had less diesel added and the effect was minimal...or it could be the material used in your particualr model...
I had an old Crysler that you could put olive oil in and the damn thing would still run......
I think 10k sounds about right for a complete engine rebuild and fuel line repair.

Answer 5

That is a doozie. So tell me, how did you fit the diesel gas nozzle into that tiny opening in your car's gas fill neck? This doesn't make sense. Diesel and Kerosene nozzles are intentionally made too big to fit into your car's fill, so you don't make this mistake. How did she do it? It is nearly impossible? I say BS. A lawyer will be a waste of money. If somehow she was able to get diesel into the car, that egg is on no one's face but your wife's. Toyota didn't put the diesel in it. Diesel voids your 3/36 warranty also.

Answer 6

Well considering that diesel burns at a higher rate than does gas I'd say yeah also these newer engines cost alot to get fixed let alone replaced with all the computer stuff on them now you should have had the engine replaced to begin with and you may have saved yourself some cash

Answer 7

I just don't see it that way. Diesel in gas will not run right but burn out the rings, NO. Clog them up YES but that is fixable. Why wasn't the fuel drained out and refilled with proper gasoline and then just run to clear out the cylinders and exhaust? If they were just looking for a quick buck, I'd suggest you do some research into the effects of diesel in gasoline engines and then get a lawyer to "present" your findings to them.

Answer 8

1. absolutely possible, but 10 k seems way excessive. get it checked out, COMPARE prices.
2. nothing is garanteed, especially auto services. unless your 16 im sure you know this huh.... stupid garages. make sure you read the fine print of the forms
3. absolutely. my advice, stop driving the car, keep every single statement, form youve filled out when you brought it in to the service center (dates, stuff like that) and ask a lawyer to evaluate if you have a case. id tell you but id need to see these forms (service "check ups", dates, mileage....) Im telling you this because if it is anything over 3000$, or even less, i doubt you want to pay if they were not diligent in their work!
good luck
DONT THROW ANY FORMS!

Answer 9

IF it were truly engine damage it wouldn't be "fixed" every time you returned it back to the shop. What was the "code" that happened? At 3/4 to 1/4 diesel to gas should just cause a stall out and a fuel system purge will fix it.

Answer 10

Being a brand new vehicle it could cost that much to replace the motor. You could probably find a cheaper engine...but I'm sure it would void your warranty. I'm not sure on what diesel can do to new engines...so they might be telling you the truth. Plus there is no telling what it did to your emissions parts.