Toothpaste in gas tank

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

MEMBER
2006 FORD RANGER
180,000 MILES

This may sound crazy but someone put toothpaste in my gas tank and I need to know how bad that is. What will happen if I do not get all of it out? Do I need to have a mechanic remove the tank all together to clear it all out? Please please any advice would extremely appreciated!

Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 AT 8:24 AM

3 Replies

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

Wow. I have personally have done a few Rangers for sugar poured in the tank and that causes a mess! Unfortunately, the fuel tank will have to be flushed thoroughly because the toothpaste has a slight grit to it that will inherently ruin the in-tank pump.

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Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 AT 9:59 AM

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the information! Any idea about how much that cost?

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Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 AT 11:35 AM

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

Usually two to three hours of labor at the rate that the shop charges. There is no fixed rate for flushing a fuel tank but that is generally what I would charge.

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Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 AT 1:29 PM