Fuel contamination

KCA

MEMBER
1998 DODGE NEON
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
98,000 MILES

Car started showing symptoms when stalling on acceleration at low speed begins to hesitate engine sounded clogged choke/sputter out and then stop running.
The car would not start again until it had sat for a couple hours. I replaced the fuel filter after the car would no longer run at all but did not fix the problem.
The gas in the filter was full of sludge looked like jello and seemed to have water in it too.
It looked like a lava lamp when moved around.
The relays show signs of stress but still work, except the horn fuse has blown twice.
There appears to be an oil leak from somewhere the obd terminal had oil behind it and the master cylinder has wet oil up on the shaft.

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

Yes, you have contaminated fuel. I would drop the tank, have it flushed out and replace the pump as well. The lines will have to be flushed as well.

Hopefully, the injectors are not damaged. You will find out after the repairs are made with the tank.

Roy

REMOVAL
1. Perform fuel system pressure release.
2. Drain fuel tank (Fig. 30).
3. Raise vehicle on hoist.

WARNING: Wrap shop towels around hoses to catch any gasoline spillage.

Fig. 31 Fuel Pump Module Electrical Connector
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4. Disconnect fuel pump module electrical connector (Fig. 31).
5. Disconnect the fuel tube from Fuel Filter/Regulator.
6. Support tank with transmission jack. Loosen tank mounting straps and lower tank slightly.

Fig. 32 Fuel Filler Tube and Vent Tubes
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7. Disconnect fuel filler tube and filler vent tube from filler hose at fuel tank (Fig. 32).
8. Disconnect fuel filler vapor relief tube from tee connecting it to the tank vapor relief tube and EVAP canister tube.
9. Disconnect vapor line from EVAP canister tube.

10. Remove tank mounting straps and lower tank.

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