My wife's huge mistake...

[nodnarb85]

Today my wife had a doctors appointment. Normally I drive her there cause its 20 miles and she's not the most comfortable driving on the highway, but I had to work. So she was flustered about driving there, she had a bad day at work and had a bunch of other little things go wrong. Before she left she stopped to get gas in our brand new mitsubishi outlander. There was a long line for gas, so she called me all freaking out cause she thought she was going to be late for her appointment. I told her to relax and take her time and if she wanted I would leave work to drive her. After she got off the phone with me she pulled up to the pump and only put in $20. She then proceeds to the doctors. i get a phone call with her crying telling me that there is something wrong with the car. She said that the rpms were going crazy and black smoke was coming out of the exhaust. She had made it almost to the doctors but was about a mile away so she just walked the rest of the way. I had to then leave work, ride my motorcycle back to our house, get my car and then come meet her 20 miles away. When I got to the outlander, i tried to start it and it would turn over, the engine would lurch and then stall. First thing i thought was that she put diesel in it or it was bad fuel, cause it only has 8k miles on it. She insisted she didn't, so we just called mitsubishi roadside and had it towed to the dealer, where it sits until tomorrow morning when they look at it to see what the damage is. On the way back I had her show me exactly what pump she got gas from. The pump had 2 nozzles. 1 for unleaded and 1 for diesel. On the unleaded nozzle you had to push a button for your grade. The diesel you simply lifted the handle. Normally a diesel nozzle would not fit into a gasoline tube in the car, but for some reason this nozzle was only a little larger than a regular gasoline nozzle so it fit into the outlander for some freak reason. She noticed that it was slightly larger, but didn't think anything of it due to her being upset. I asked her if she realized she was paying $4.34 a gallon and she said no. So now we wait and see how much money i have to fork out to fix her dumb mistake. Besides the gas $20 of wasted diesel, my gas to go get her and the money I lost from not being at work. Its been one of those days.

[Digi]

Cute; but costly mistake.

I'd be happy to have such a cute and adoreable wife.

[Connal]

Is she always that jittery? I don't want to sound offensive, but there are medications that relax people pretty good with minimal side affects.

[Kilroy]

awww, i feel bad for her, she was probably just all stressed out and wasn't thinking. Don't hold this against her man, it's only money. I know, I know, that doesn't change the fact that it sucks, but it'll be alright.

[nodnarb85]

I actually think its kind of funny. I just hope it doesn't cost a lot to get fixed. they haven't called yet so I guess we'll see later today.

[dean]

unleaded diesel ftw

[inis]

should have just told the tow truck driver to stop by a gas station, top her off with unleaded... and she what happens.

if you flood out the 4 gallons of diesel, I bet it would still run...

[nodnarb85]

should have just told the tow truck driver to stop by a gas station, top her off with unleaded... and she what happens.

if you flood out the 4 gallons of diesel, I bet it would still run...

I actually thought about that. if it was my car I would have, but I didn't want to chance it with her new car. still waiting for the dealer to call

[MrWeeyums]

The dealers gonna rape you, Id try draining it yourself and putting in some premium with octane booster. Unhook the fuel line, turn on the pump, and let the tank drain itself.
~Ryan

[JonsZX2SR]

I don't know whether detonation would have damaged the pistons or heads and incomplete combustion probably fouled the plugs.

If I were to try to fix it myself, I'd drain the tank, change the plugs and fuel filter and fill it with 93 octane. Then try to start it.

Carbon fouling may have also partially plugged the catalytic converter and O2 sensor, so i'd watch for problems in the future.

[Cooper]

that suxs.. good luck on that one..

[Kilroy]

just make sure you check on here before you agree for the dealer to replace A TON OF PARTS that you may not need...

[ChillinZX]

Say good-bye to your powertrain warranty. I can never live with a dumb person.

[nodnarb85]

I was supposed to get a call today, but didn't so we'll see what monday holds. As for doing it all myself...if I was home in PA I would have, but being here in FL with only a limited space to work, limited tools and no way to catch all the fuel etc. makes it rather difficult. I just hope its not too expensive. I know that they'll charge me to drain the tank, i probably need new plugs and a fuel filter, hopefully the injectors and o2 sensors and cat are ok. We'll just have to wait and see.

[scort2498]

in daytona huh? i couldhave. made a drive over.
hope everything works out for ya though.

[nodnarb85]

where you at in Orlando?

[scort2498]

east orlando.

[morningstar2101]

wow, good luck with that. but i have to agree. it was only 4 gallons, should be able to flood it out. i knew somebody who did something similar, except she filled a couple tanks worth of diesel. it took that couple of tanks for the car to shut down

[zxtwou2]

Say good-bye to your powertrain warranty. I can never live with a dumb person.

so you can't live with yourself? i'd say going 100+ in a zx2 with kids in the car is worse than putting a little diesel in a car.

[powder]

so you can't live with yourself? i'd say going 100+ in a zx2 with kids in the car is worse than putting a little diesel in a car.

+1

[morningstar2101]

so you can't live with yourself? i'd say going 100+ in a zx2 with kids in the car is worse than putting a little diesel in a car.
+2

[zxtwou2]

i'd also like to add...his wife isn't dumb by any means. people mess up when they are nervous. my wife is terrified of the interstate, because she grew up on a tiny island in alaska...does that make her dumb? c'mon man, i know you were at the ohio meet and met brandon's wife...she's far from dumb.

[morningstar2101]

i'd also like to add...his wife isn't dumb by any means. people mess up when they are nervous. my wife is terrified of the interstate, because she grew up on a tiny island in alaska...does that make her dumb? c'mon man, i know you were at the ohio meet and met brandon's wife...she's far from dumb.


yeah, this situation woulda been way different had she filled up on diesel a couple of times

[zxtwou2]

ya can't really say she's dumb for putting it in anyway..she was flustered, didn't pay attention, and the nozzle fit. i almost put deisel in my malibu once...not paying attention, grabbed the wrong nozzle. i had a "wtf" moment when the nozzle wouldn't fit in...then i quit spacin out and noticed i grabbed the wrong one. too bad that car actaully fit the diesel nozzle, though.

[nodnarb85]

thanks Tim. I still haven't heard from the dealer, but i think I know why the nozzle fit in. In Japan and Europe the outlander is mostly marketed as a diesel. i have a feeling that they over looked the fill neck when they produced the us platform. And yes I myself almost put diesel in my motorcycle last week. I just grabbed the nozzle and was like what the crap...I'll let you know the damage when I get the call.

[ChillinZX]

so you can't live with yourself? i'd say going 100+ in a zx2 with kids in the car is worse than putting a little diesel in a car.

I don't drive with anyone when I do it. I never said I drove 100+ with kids in the car either.
-2

[nodnarb85]

anyway...

dealer called with an estimate of $525 for draining and cleaning the fuel system, tank, injectors etc. An no my powertrain warranty is still intact...according to the service manager nothing will be adversely affected. Should be done by this afternoon.

[scort2498]

thats not too too bad...

[jdrzx2]

This sounds like something my wife would do if I let her out of my sight armed with a vehicle.

[inis]

This sounds like something my wife would do if I let her out of my sight armed with a vehicle.

thought your divorced?

[Buster]

anyway...

dealer called with an estimate of $525 for draining and cleaning the fuel system, tank, injectors etc. An no my powertrain warranty is still intact...according to the service manager nothing will be adversely affected. Should be done by this afternoon.


Yikes, that's a lot for such a simple mistake, but I suppose it needs to be done.

[Kilroy]

anyway...

dealer called with an estimate of $525 for draining and cleaning the fuel system, tank, injectors etc. An no my powertrain warranty is still intact...according to the service manager nothing will be adversely affected. Should be done by this afternoon.

make sure they subtract the diesel they drain out of your tank from your estimate. =P

[nodnarb85]

going to pick it up around 5pm. Total is $537 or something like that.

[jdrzx2]

thought your divorced?
Working on it. The judge didn't take my side, I have to attend marriage counseling.

[2KZX2]

Wow that really sucks for just a simple mistake. But it could have been worse. Not to sound evil, but she could have been in a accident. I know that I'm not the best driver when I'm stressed.
But how is she afraid to drive on the highway, is traffic really that bad? I guess I wouldn't know, I'm from small town America, and the only traffic that I have to worry about are farm tractors, and the damn tree-huggin Prius driving retards that make grandma look like a speed demon. As for anyone on this forum who might drive a Prius, this doesn't include you, or the other 90% of Prius drivers, I'm just talking about the tree hugging hippies that don't belong behind the wheel of any vehicle.

[ImCrazy]

damn that sucks.

[OGreaTFuzzY1]

wow manz that sucks good thing it didnt cost you an arm and a leg

~Fuzzy

[Larka]

I'm just talking about the tree hugging hippies that don't belong behind the wheel of any vehicle.

I'm a tree-hugging hippie that drives a ZX2 with a gutted cat and no muffler with the gas pedal to the floor half the time. :biggrin:

[Fordgasm]

.
But how is she afraid to drive on the highway, is traffic really that bad?

Well, if I understood correctly, shes from a very, very small town. And that they live in orlando now.

If this is correct, no matter how good a driver you think you are.... orlando will scare the hell out of ya the first time you drive it. I got lucky(sarcasim) and drove thru the morning rush hour, and if it wasnt for ronnie(firetruck zx2) I would have NEVER made it out of there alive. In less then a full week, him and I got our diplomas from Florida's drive with your head up your ass university.

Dude, at least it wasnt tooo bad, but it could have been worse. Hope she gets better at driving the interstate tho.

[Hypnose Zx2]

i almost did it but it wouldn't fit
THANK GOD!

[Kilroy]

i almost did it but it wouldn't fit
THANK GOD!

That's what she said...

[Fordgasm]

Lmao

[JessicaOfVA]

Wow! That sucks. I've never made that mistake before. I always double check and make sure I'm grabbing the correct nozzle.

[nodnarb85]

Well, if I understood correctly, shes from a very, very small town. And that they live in orlando now.

If this is correct, no matter how good a driver you think you are.... orlando will scare the hell out of ya the first time you drive it. I got lucky(sarcasim) and drove thru the morning rush hour, and if it wasnt for ronnie(firetruck zx2) I would have NEVER made it out of there alive. In less then a full week, him and I got our diplomas from Florida's drive with your head up your ass university.

Dude, at least it wasnt tooo bad, but it could have been worse. Hope she gets better at driving the interstate tho.

Exactly her situation. we came from a town of $4500 people and occasionally went into Pittsburgh, but she never drove. She will never drive in Orlando, but its almost as bad over here on I-95 in Daytona. We have learned one thing by living here in Fl for almost a year and that is that everyone is a terrible driver. On the highway if the speed limit is 70 everyone is going 80-90. But on regular roads if the speed limit 45 many people go 35-40 its ridiculous. I think Florida has actually made me a worse driver than before.

We did get the car back and its running good.

[capitalcrew]

That isn't shit. 55=85 in NY. 45=80 in maryland. Some 55s in ny=25, stupid effing city people coming into the country for some scenery. Idiots.

Thats good to hear.

[2000zx2chik]

That isn't shit. 55=85 in NY. 45=80 in maryland. Some 55s in ny=25, stupid effing city people coming into the country for some scenery. Idiots.

Thats good to hear.

So true!

[Cherokee]

Exactly her situation. we came from a town of $4500 people and occasionally went into Pittsburgh, but she never drove. She will never drive in Orlando, but its almost as bad over here on I-95 in Daytona. We have learned one thing by living here in Fl for almost a year and that is that everyone is a terrible driver. On the highway if the speed limit is 70 everyone is going 80-90. But on regular roads if the speed limit 45 many people go 35-40 its ridiculous. I think Florida has actually made me a worse driver than before.

We did get the car back and its running good.


What town are you from? I'd like to buy a couple of those $4500 people to fence and landscape my 3 acres this summer!

Just kidding. I'm glad to hear they didn't beat you too bad. I hope your wife's doctor visit went well.

[2KZX2]

Larka
I'm a tree-hugging hippie that drives a ZX2 with a gutted cat and no muffler with the gas pedal to the floor half the time.

Well unless your ZX2 REALLY sucks you don't count. Take it how you want, but its meant to be taken as a good thing.

But around here the guys with the hybrids speed more than the Hmongs with their ricers (that usually suck), and the guys with muscle cars don't even drive half the time because gas is so bad. but apparently the guys with the hybrids think that because they are "saving" gas they can waste some more and drive like assholes. I guess it doesn't matter it just means the the cops won't be gunning for me as much.

But I guess I can kinda see where nodnarb85's wife is coming from. I pretty much live on the outskirts of 2 villages, one where the population is approx. 200, and the other where the population is about 800. I go to school in city where the population is 52,000 and the population of the school that I go to is around 1400. Just driving from the villages to the city changes dramatically, I mean with both villages you can pretty much see from one end to the other. then occasionally I have to go to a big city and the traffic is just horrible, and I'm not the one driving half the time.