My 2006 Prius stopped suddenly last Friday (August 9th). Triangle light and all dash lights came on and then it just stopped. I was able to start it again and coast to a side street but had to have it towed. At the shop they had to replace the 12 volt battery and tested everything, assuming it was electrical. Finally they looked at the gas tank and said it looked like it had been contaminated with diesel. They are replacing the tank and spark plugs. But, I didn't put diesel in it, and hadn't even put gas in it since July 20. So it's been running fine for 3 weeks and then suddenly stops. We have to do the fix, but what could have caused this? Thanks for any help!
It looked like? Or smelled like? Also what were the error codes from when the car broke down? My understanding was that a diesal pump nozzle won't fit in a regular gas tank spout... But that's besides the point. If you're 100% certain there's no way diesel has gotten in the tank then your mechanic is not fixing what is wrong. So make it clear that you disagree with their diagnosis and if it doesn't solve the problem that's a loss they have to pay for, not you!
Thanks for the reply. At least in Canada, diesel nozzles are the same size. The codes indicated Poor Engine Power and it was determined that the fuel had been contaminated. They gave me a bottle but would not be able to tell what it is without taking it to a lab. Whatever it is, it is clear and sitting at the bottom of the bottle so its heavier than the gas. They claim to have checked all lines for leaks. I will be contacting the gas station tomorrow, but i can't imagine they'll admit to anything. Could it just be bad gas? At a $1700 price tag... (this includes a new battery).
welcome heather! what kind of shop? do you know them? do you trust them? a bad 12v won't stop you're car. contaminated gas could, but if you didn't put dieseling, that sounds unlikely. it sounds like they're grasping at straws how many miles on her?
It's a Toyota dealership in Toronto, so they 'should' know what they're doing. The car has 101,000 miles on it and has been problem free for 12 years. They gave me the gas and there's definitely something in it. It's a clear substance below the gas. Without taking it to a lab, i don't know what it is. It does look oily, so that's why they thought diesel (because apparently some people do put diesel in accidentally>). Since it is not diesel, i'm not sure what's going on or what if any recourse i would have with the gas station (Petro-Canada).
Perhaps your car got sabotaged? Somebody pour something in it to damage it? Have your car towed to an honest mechanic who will swap the tank with a used one from a wrecked Prius... Your car is too old to be putting brand new expensive parts in it from a car stealership that will always be the opposite of affordable repairs....
Couldn't they just pull the back seat, remove the pump and siphon it out? I'd second sabatage: if you haven't filled up recently, it doesn't make sense that it would suddenly cause problems.
Of its clear and heavier than gas (sinks to the bottom), it could be water. I’m not a conspiracy theorist, so sabotage is out and let’s try to find something logical. How much liquid was in the gas tank? If a low amount and you had water, it would act the same way. Something to consider .
You can try that as a last resort prior to pumping the tank out. But the more water you run through the engine, the more potential for damage exists. I was always taught if you suspect water in the fuel, pump it out.
Did you return to the station you last bought gas at and ask if fuel was mixed up on that date? It’s unusual but mistakes do happen.
