Accidentally added diesel fuel to my tank, where is the fuel filter located?

Tiny
JOSHMC1986
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
My car listed above (GS) is not starting. My spark plugs, battery, are all good. I accidentally put roughly 0.5 gal of diesel in my car when I was completely out of gas. I went to go somewhere and I started my car immediately put it in reverse and went maybe 1 foot and the car shut off and hasn't been running since. So I took almost all the bad gad out and took my fuel pump out and cleaned it and I put it back in when I think still had that diesel in the tank, but I put new gas into maybe 5 gallons and added a fuel cleaning additive and she still isn't starting. So I'm guessing I need to drop the tank and clean the filter maybe but I don't know where it is. Also should I flush the fuel lines also if so how do I do that? If you can tell me anymore information on what I should do I would like to hear any input to my ordeal. Thank you
Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 8:42 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
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Hello,

The fuel filter is a part of the fuel pump in the tank.
Since diesel fluid is thicker than gasoline it will clog the fuel pump and the filter first. It can also clog your injectors if enough of it goes through.

Can you hear your fuel pump come on?
Many times the thicker fluid will burn up the pump as it will essentially run dry due to being clogged.
If the pump comes on you need to check to see if you are getting fuel to the fuel rail. I have attached the fuel pressure testing procedure below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Does the engine crank over?

Let me know what you are experiencing with this vehicle.
Thank you.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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The engine does crank over but won't start. It may of messed up by trying to get it started by using starter fluid in the intake and when I did that and turn the engine over she sounded like it was going to start I can't describe the sound very well but maybe you know what I'm saying when I say it made a fast starting sound lol, then I would get a misfire. I'm now going to empty all the gas out, drop the tank, clean it out, and the filter, and put new gas in with maybe a octane booster to help push it through the injector's. Just a suggestion on that. What do you think. I'm not mechanically inclined I just know basics. I don't have the right tools.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
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You are on the right track as far going through the fuel system and cleaning out any diesel fuel.
Keep in mind that if the diesel got to the injectors you might have to clean those as well. As they could be clogged.
After you get the fuel tank cleaned and pump installed make sure that the pump is coming on and check the fuel pressure at the rail that will tell you if there is any clog in the lines. You should be able to get a fuel pressure test gauge from your local auto parts store to use.

Let me know how everything progresses or if you have any questions.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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Oh okay, cool. Thank you for the feedback. I'm doing this by myself and no help what so ever. I will email you back if I have any snags along the way.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
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Sounds good.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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I did in fact had fuel in my fuel pressure regulator line. I saw a YouTube video where that is not a good thing.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 11:40 PM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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Would that be the reason I am misfiring?
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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Oh, one more thing? I have no clue where my fuel pump relay is and I don't know what it looks like.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
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The fuel pump relay is located in the under hood fuse box. See diagram below. Also included the testing procedure.

Are you getting a misfire code?
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Friday, September 10th, 2021 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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Yes I did and an EGR code, oxygen, and MAF code.
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Friday, September 10th, 2021 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
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This all could be related. If you know what the code numbers are let me know. I can check diagnostics procedure for them.
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Friday, September 10th, 2021 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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Can I send a video of what my car is doing? So you have a better understanding what i'm dealing with.
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Friday, September 17th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
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Yes, you should be able to upload a video here on this thread.
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Friday, September 17th, 2021 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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The first video is without starting fluid. The second video is with starting fluid. I was going to give you the codes for my car but just my luck it broke on me. So i'm thinking it's going to need a new motor. I hope not but it doesn't sound very good. The car was running great no problems until this issue, a small amount of diesel ruins my car.
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Friday, September 17th, 2021 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
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You know it sounds like it is just not getting fuel. Have you already tested the fuel pressure? You could have a clogged regulator or injectors.
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Friday, September 17th, 2021 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
JOSHMC1986
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How would I go about cleaning the fuel injectors?
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Saturday, September 18th, 2021 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
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You will have to take the injectors off and clean them out with carb cleaner.
There are many different ways to clean the injectors when they are out of the car.
Here is a video you might find helpful:

https://youtu.be/8rk0tKtiVic

Before taking off the injectors you want to make sure that there is enough fuel pressure on the fuel rail. If there is pressure on the rail but injector not spraying then you will need to clean them. However if you do not have a pressure on the fuel rail then the clog/ restriction is some where between the tank and the rail, could be the pressure regulator.
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Saturday, September 18th, 2021 AT 12:40 PM

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